tedious and oſt en requires added supplements,” says Krause. Seeing a four-legged friend thrive was worth the extra time


and cost for Yvonnda Stamp-Agent, a homemaker from Rockvale, Tennessee. Emma, a schnauzer mix, suff ered from itchy skin, anal gland leakage, kidney crystals, vomiting and other problems. “We switched to home-cooked wild salmon and fl ounder protein with fresh organic vegetables and fruits, along with vitamin and min- eral supplementation.” Emma recovered and is now an energetic 5-year-old.


Raw T e biologically appropriate raw food (BARF) diet, as described at BarfWorld.com, contains raw meats, vegetables and cooked grains and legumes. Proponents say it improves health from tooth to tail. “Buddha, my orange tabby, is 22 and no longer has an issue with hairballs,” says Kim Bolin, a Reno, Nevada real estate agent, who has fed raw for three years. Stephanie Krause, in Keego Harbor, Michigan, says her three


dogs are more relaxed, probably from the time and eff ort needed to eat large bones—and they haven’t needed a teeth cleaning since going raw. “Aſt er eating raw bones, there was plaque laying all over the fl oor.” T e BARF diet can be homemade, although most choose pre-


pared frozen or freeze-dried products to ensure nutrient balance or to avoid handling raw meats. Angie Krause says the diet is contro- versial, largely due to human health risks from pathogenic bacteria.


Vegan and Vegetarian For ethical and environmental reasons, homemade or pre-made, plant-based diets for companion animals are becoming more popular . “If the 163 million dogs and cats in the U.S. were their own country, it would be the fi ſt h-largest meat-eating country on the planet,” says May. Cats cannot survive without meat, which provides the high


protein, amino acids and other nutrients their bodies require. However, a 2018 study published in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association suggests that plant-based diets, possibly supplemented with vitamins B12


Helpful Resources


Report cards regarding toxicity for dog and cat food brands: CleanLabelProject.org/pet-food.


Raw, vegan or otherwise, sign up for dog and cat food recall alerts via email: DogFoodAdvisor.com.


Defi nitions of common ingredients in pet food: Tinyurl.com/PetFoodIngredientDefi nitions.


Recommended reading from the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association includes Home-Prepared Dog and Cat Diets, Second Edition, by Patricia Schenck, and Dr. Pitcairn’s Complete Guide to Natural Health for Dogs and Cats, Fourth Edition, by Richard H. Pitcairn, DVM.


Scientifi c literature, published articles and biographies of dogs living on a plant-based diet: PlantBased.dog.


ent requirements,” says May. Pet diets aren’t an all-or-nothing choice, says Angie Krause.


“Eventually, my patient will always reveal what works for them. Listen to your pet’s body.”


Julie Peterson lives in rural Wisconsin. Connect at JuliePeterson2222@gmail.com.


and D and some amino


acids, can meet nutrition requirements of dogs. “Dogs are omnivores, and can thrive on balanced, complete, plant-based diets. T ey have nutrient requirements, not ingredi-


Kibble is often the most economical


way to feed your pet. But its processed state makes it the least optimal.


~Angie Krause March 2020 27


Chendongshan/Shutterstock.com


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