Switching to Holistic Dog Food

“The whole is more than the sum of its parts” – Aristotle

Switching to Holistic Dog Food has never been more important and easier than it is today.

You hear it all the time “Oh, my dog is a fussy eater. I think he may have digestive problems” or “My dog stinks. His breath smells. He has allergies and skin problems.” and “What a funny dog. He prefers our table food scraps over his own kibbles.” You don’t have to be a specialist to figure this one out. Guys, your beloved pet is trying to tell you something! Get your dog off the ‘Fast-Food’ and switch to Natural Holistic Dog Food immediately.

I know what you might be thinking, “What exactly is holistic dog food and why should I switch when my dog seems perfectly fine on his regular grub?” The answer is quite simple: Nature knows best! Plus there are a host of benefits to holistic dog foods that I will explain in this article. If you are concerned about your pet’s health and well being, I promise, you’ll be making the switch. It just makes sense.

I want to briefly mention that there are many types of alternatives out there like Organic dog food, RAW, homemade, BARF, natural and the ever-so-popular, commercially manufactured food – WE call it “Fast-Food”. I will write-up articles on each type so that you get a clearer picture of the dog food industry and dog-appropriate foods for your pet. You will then become fully aware of what enters your dog’s belly and of what should definitely stay out.

“Holistic dog food is serious business – I would listen to what Mom says! I love carrots…” } Halle

Here come the goods on Holistic Dog Food – a natural wholesome option for your furry friend. Keep in mind that there isn’t one type of dog food that is ideal for every single dog out there. Dogs are just as unique as humans.You will have to experiment with your own dog to determine what works best.

Let’s define Holistic

Let’s see what our friend Merriam-Webster says about Holistic:

1 – of or relating to holism; defined as a theory that the universe and especially living nature is correctly seen in terms of interacting wholes (as of living organisms) that are more than the mere sum of elementary particles.

2 – relating to or concerned with wholes or with complete systems rather than with the analysis of, treatment of, or dissection into parts

Ok let me summarize the dictionary lingo! The most important words to take from the definition are “interacting wholes” and “complete”.

Without getting overly scientific about it, Holistic dog food is unrefined, unprocessed and isn’t enhanced with additives, fillers, or artificial components like coloring and flavoring. The food is taken in its original state and it maintains that state throughout its preparation. The good Holistic dog food companies have a very high and strict control over the management of the manufacturing process, assuring the best and freshest dog food available to the market. You end up with a naturally balanced formula, one that is biologically appropriate and wholesome, so that your dog can grow and develop to his full potential.

Holistic food nourishes and renews your dog’s body, mind and spirit. It strengthens the immune system and prevents disease. A happy healthy dog, can’t ask for better!

What does it all Mean?

If you’re a bit unsure about all this “Holistic Business”, I will give you an example that will clear things up instantly.

Think of it this way: A freshly picked potato is Holistic. A potato chip isn’t!

Got it?
Let’s move on…

One of the key principles behind Holistic dog foods is they are human-grade. This means the ingredients are good for human consumption. Another important term is whole foods – unrefined and unprocessed (or minimally processed) before consumption. Simply put, all the goodness nature provides including fruits, veggies, meats, poultry and fish. Some ingredients in the recipe may be organic, which is a bonus, but that’s not necessary to be labeled holistic.

By feeding your dog a Holistic formula you eliminate many diseases and health problems that can occur in a “Fast-Food” diet. Think of it from a human perspective. I’m talking about obesity, diabetes, cancer, degenerative diseases, skin problems, infertility, digestive problems, bad oral health, excessive shedding and obsessive licking, to name a few. I will dig into details in future posts so stay tuned for those.

Do I hear those magical words “I’m Switching to Holistic!” coming from you? Hmmmm?
Maybe Halle will convince you.

We made the switch to Natural Holistic Dog Food when Halle was about 6 months old and we never went back. Why would we? Going Holistic was the single best decision we’ve ever made! We also give her additional raw and cooked food as well as vitamins to supplement her diet. Adding a variety of proteins and a small amount of greens to your dog’s diet is crucial. We believe that whatever you find in a single kibble cannot be 110% complete – think about it. How can all the natural goodness your dog needs fit into one tiny kibble? Almost impossible!

Halle is a Holistic Dog and she absolutely loves her Orijen Holistic Dog Food. We recommend Orijen as the Best Holistic Dog Food simply because we have been using it for a couple of years. We love the brand, plus the quality of their fresh and natural ingredients are very impressive. But even better are the results – a happier, more energetic and super healthy “Hurricane Halle”. We instantly saw the difference in her outgoing personality and in her shiny coat. Now nothing stops our beautiful beast! We were seeing way too much of our vet before we made the switch to Holistic Dog Food. From loose stools to eye infections, to skin problems, the list went on and nothing was computing at first. Luckily we did our research and even found a Holistic Veterinarian that helped get Halle back to health. There’s been a very distinct and noticeable reduction of health problems ever since. In fact, she hasn’t visited her vet outside of her yearly checkups since the food and doggy lifestyle makeover. We can’t complain. Happy dog and saving money on vet bills – priceless!

Dogs are carnivores and they need a diet that is high in proteins. We give Halle Orijen’s Adult formula which is high with those essential proteins but low in carbs. Here’s a quick look at Orijen’s protein list:

“Our fresh regional ingredients include free-run chicken, turkey & ducks, whole Grade A eggs, free range wild boar, bison and heritage pork, grass-fed lamb, and a variety of wild-caught freshwater & saltwater fish—all farmed or fished within our region, passed ‘fit for human consumption’ and delivered FRESH TO OUR DOOR. Each & every day!”

Doesn’t that sound yummy? I promise that your dog won’t be able to resist once he gets a taste of Holistic Dog Food. Fresh regional nutritious fruits, grasses and vegetables are added to complete the formula. Various vitamins and minerals are also added to complete the mix.

Now just for fun, put those healthy ingredients head-to-head with some of the most popular dog food brands! You just can’t compare.

Orijen is not necessarily the best one out there but it’s currently our favorite.

Recommended Brands of Holistic Dog Food

If you are thinking about making the switch, here are a few other Holistic Dog Food Brands other than wonderful Orijen that are worth looking into. Remember, don’t expect miracles overnight and give your dog some time to get habituated to the new diet. It shouldn’t take too long and you’ll notice the benefits of going holistic in no time.

We recommend Innova and EVO which are manufactured under Natura. They make several high quality Holistic Dog Foods that you might consider for your pooch. Innova includes high quality nutrient rich foods from all 5 food groups with formulas from puppies to seniors.

We like EVO because their dog food recipe, similar to Orijen, resembles very closely the ancestral dog diets which include higher meat-based proteins and highly digestible fats. EVO is low on carbs and most importantly grain-free. A great choice for an active dog like Halle.

We know a few dogs that are on Solid Gold and their owners give it great reviews. Solid Gold’s products are all natural, holistic, and do not contain any chemical preservatives or any funny business.

Another Holistic dog food brand to check out is Honest Kitchen. The coolest thing about Honest Kitchen is that humans actually test the dog food recipes before they end up in your dog’s bowl. If humans like them, I’m sure your dog will love it to – Very Sweet! They offer high quality dehydrated dog food. The dehydration process actually keeps all the goodness virtually intact so your dog gets all the benefits. All YOU have to do is add some water and serve. How convenient!

Just like their name says, Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover’s Soul Dog Food is an all-round great Natural Holistic Dog Food. Nothing but the freshest ingredients packed into each recipe. Another great brand that’s worth looking into.

Again, do your research before offering any type of food to your dog. Just because he eats it doesn’t mean it’s good for him. Get familiar with ingredient lists for your specific dog appropriate diet. Look at the dog food analysis, VERY important cause it says the truth and nothing but the truth. Contact the manufacturers and look for honest reviews if you have any questions. Your best bet is to read up as much as you can before presenting Fido with something new to eat.

We are VERY lucky that we live in a time where as pet owners, we have many choices when it comes to simple good dog food. Natural Holistic Dog Food is readily available and there are lots of great brands out there. I only gave you some of our favorites but there are many many more.

Well if it says Holistic…

One more important note. Just because a certain brand of dog food says “Holistic” on the packaging that doesn’t necessarily mean it is completely holistic. Your best bet is to do your own research into the listed ingredients. That will tell you the honest truth. As well don’t always trust the sales clerk at the store or your vet’s opinion (they usually have incentives for offering specific brands) on dog food recommendations. Some people you’ll encounter will be very helpful and honest with their beliefs. All I’m saying is do your own homework.

Your dog is the best judge when it comes to good wholesome food. Like I said earlier if your dog is happy, active, looks and feels great then you’re doing good, especially if you don’t remember when your last vet visit was. All of this means that you’re on the right track to a healthy companion that will live a long life.

You don’t have to wait to make the switch. As a dog owner you must decide to veto any food that might be detrimental to your pet’s health. Our dogs are domesticated and rely on us to hunt for them. Why not surprise them with the biggest and ‘bestest’ catch you can find: Holistic Dog Food! They’ll be very impressed with your hunting skills and you’ll get a thankful dog in return. They might also brag to their doggy friends! All jokes aside, if you’re not feeding your dog a natural balanced diet, it’s your duty to make the switch NOW!

Just remember, natural is better no matter what. You obviously know the saying – You are what you eat? I couldn’t agree with it more.

There are plenty of insightful articles on dog nutrition, dog food and health on the way so make sure you look for them. You can also subscribe to our HB Dog Newsletter so you don’t miss out on any of the goodness.

As we increase our awareness about the best care for our loving pets the better for all of us. In the meantime if you have any questions or personal experiences and preferences with some of the Holistic Dog Food Brands that I have mentioned or any others, we would love to hear about it.

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