When it comes to our furry companions, their health is our top priority, and a significant part of that involves the food they consume. Many pet owners rely on commercial dog food, assuming it’s the best option. However, for Max and her pets, Willow and Wolf, their experience has led them to rethink what goes into their dogs’ bowls.
This blog will explore their journey, the challenges they faced with commercial kibble, and why they made a shift towards a more natural diet.
Wolf's Struggle with Commercial Dog Food
Max shared that the biggest issue she faced with commercial dog food was the frequent allergic reactions her dog, Wolf, experienced. "Lahat allergic siya," Max said, describing how the commercial kibble often led to inflammation, rashes, and discomfort, especially around her face and nose.
Even though some dogs may tolerate certain foods, it's important to recognize that every dog has individual needs, and what works for one might not work for another.
Interestingly, it wasn’t just Wolf who struggled with the kibble; Willow, her mother, also found herself avoiding certain types of food. Max explained that Willow wasn’t interested in the typical luncheon meat-like textures often found in wet foods, preferring something more familiar and recognizable, like chicken.
This highlighted a critical point: dogs, just like us, have their preferences, and feeding them what they enjoy is key to maintaining a balanced diet.
The Impact of Commercial Food on Health
The real turning point in their journey came when Willow, despite her love for vegetables, began to show signs of internal distress. Max recounted how, after a trip to Singapore, Willow suddenly became lethargic. A veterinary visit revealed that she had blood parasites, and further testing showed that her kidneys and liver were affected.
Max’s vet confirmed that the issue likely stemmed from the kibble. "sabi niya [vet] most likely talaga sa commercial dog food, sa kibbles." Max said, reflecting on the diagnosis.
This revelation wasn’t just a wake-up call for him but also an important lesson for all dog owners: regular check-ups and blood tests are crucial to detect potential health issues early. Even seemingly healthy foods may not be as beneficial as we think.
Shifting to a Healthier Diet
After Willow’s diagnosis, Max and her family made significant changes to the dogs’ diets. They stopped using kibble and instead embraced a more natural approach, with rice, vegetables, and moderate amounts of meat like chicken, beef, and pork.
"..we researched talaga yung mga possible na alternatives kasi wala na siyang kibbles eh. So yun kasi yung mainly diba na food nila, so nag-research kami alternatives like mga meats, so pwede naman daw yun in moderation. Tapos more on vegetables." Max said, highlighting the importance of choosing the right ingredients.
Max found that while rice served as a good base, vegetables like carrots, squash, and sweet potatoes became key players in their diet. As she shared, sweet potatoes were a surprising favorite for Wolf, who had a moment of delight upon trying them for the first time.
This shift towards whole, natural foods had a positive impact on both dogs’ health, particularly Willow, whose blood tests showed improvement after changing her diet.
Finding the Right Food for Sensitive Pets
While Max's experience with Willow and Wolf offers valuable insights, it also underscores a key takeaway for all pet owners: be mindful of the food you're feeding your pet, especially if they have sensitivities.
Commercial kibble often contains fillers or ingredients that can irritate pets' systems or lead to long-term health problems. That’s why it’s essential to monitor your pet's reaction to food, just as Max did with Willow and Wolf.
Willow’s improvement after switching diets also serves as a reminder that it’s not just about what we feed our pets, but also about the frequency and balance of their meals.
Advice for Pet Parents
Max’s experience offers some great advice for other pet parents who might be using commercial kibble. While she acknowledges that kibble isn’t inherently bad for every dog, he urges caution. She also recommend checking pet's blood, stool, and urine regularly to ensure they’re not developing health issues.
"Regular vet check-ups.. always make sure na hindi sobrang dami yung food nila. Kumbaga in moderation pa rin kasi kahit sabihin nating it is made for dogs talaga, hindi mo talaga masasabi. So nasa satin rin yung pag-iingat sa furbabies." he added.
It's also important to look at the ingredients in the dog food you’re buying. "I always check [label]. Tsaka meron kasi sa vet, meron kasi silang brands na hindi nirerecommend. So kapag ganun, wag na lang." Max said.
Pet food labels can often be misleading, and some brands, while popular, may not meet the nutritional needs of your pet. Choosing the right food involves careful research and consultation with your vet.
Introducing Paleo Pet: A Better Alternative
Amid their journey to find healthier options for Willow and Wolf, Max discovered Paleo Pet, a food brand that focuses on providing natural, whole foods for pets.
"Si Willow sobrang takaw pero ayaw niya yung ganun. Pero nung na-try ko yung sa Paleo – kasi diba yung sa inyo is talagang chicken yung makikita mo. So gusto niya. Kasi familiar yung itsura” Max shared, showing how the brand’s focus on quality ingredients made a positive difference.
For pet owners who want to ensure their dogs are eating foods that promote overall health, considering a more natural and balanced approach like Paleo Pet might be an excellent choice.
Conclusion
The journey Max and her pets have gone through teaches us an important lesson about the significance of a well-balanced, natural diet for our dogs. While commercial pet foods may be convenient, they don’t always provide the best nutritional value or cater to the unique needs of every pet.
As Max said, "It’s better to prevent sickness than to cure it later." By choosing better food options, monitoring your pet’s health, and seeking professional advice, you can help ensure that your furry friends live long, healthy lives.
For those interested in a more natural alternative, Paleo Pet offers a wholesome choice that your dogs might just love.