In today’s health conscious society, emphasis trends on healthy eating, exercise, and overall wellness as part of one’s daily lifestyle. Every day we make informed decisions about the kind of foods we eat. Thus, the demand for and consumption of organic foods continues to grow. After all, you are what you eat. Not surprisingly, pet dogs have taken a bite out of the organic food market as well. According to the Organic Trade Association, organic pet food sales have been growing at nearly three times the rate of organic human food. What is all the bark about? Just like you, your pet dog’s health depends on the proper blend of vitamins, minerals, proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vegetables, essential fatty acids and antioxidants. In order for food to qualify as organic, certain standards pertaining to how agricultural products are grown and processed must be met. It includes a system of production, processing, distribution and sales that assures consumers, both human and canine, that food products will maintain the organic integrity that began on the farm.
Organic foods undergo a strict certification process before deemed as “organic.” Inspectors check crops and animals for unnatural alterations that are not environmentally or animal friendly, (hormone injections in cows, antibiotics in chickens). Therefore, organically grown food – being void of chemicals, preservatives, growth hormones, antibiotics, and other unnatural additives & artificial substances – is naturally more flavorful, nutrient-rich, and digestibly soluble. This allows your dog to absorb & retain far more quality nutrients every meal.
Why should I be wagging my tail? Consider the potential benefits of organic food for your pet dog. Organic foods (and treats!) can make a big difference in your dog’s overall life:
- Optimal Health & Vitality. Chemicals and fillers found in non-organic food tend to make your dog feel sluggish, no different than how you feel when your eating habits wane. All natural food contains pure, holistic ingredients that aid digestion, and keep your dog’s body systems functioning at their best.
- Prolonged Life of Your Pet. Feeding your pet dog an organic diet, which lacks synthetic additives, may prolong your pet’s life and even help eliminate existing health problems.
- Health Immunity & Disease Prevention. Conventionally manufactured pet food contains pesticide-laden food products, which do pose the threat of illness such as cancer; food allergies have long been linked to toxins & chemicals used throughout the food industry. The body becomes more resistant to disease when it is nourished with pure, all natural ingredients.
- Organic Pet Food Tastes Great! ‘Not for human consumption’, ‘non specific animal source’ and ‘Contains BHA, BHT, or ethoxyquin’ likely tastes as horrible as it sounds.
Overall, foods that are 100% natural are healthier than those with synthetic additives. Therefore, when you buy organic food, you are actually paying for the reassurance and luxury of knowing that the food has been handled with care. Does your dog deserve anything less? Paws down, your dog is worth it.
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This article was written by Lynn Coccodrilli, owner of Fetch! Pet Care North Arlington VA and Fetch! Pet Care Northwest Washington DC. Lynn can be reached at 888.252.7854. Fetch! Pet Care is the largest national pet services and pet sitting company in the United States; serving 38 states in more than 2,000 cities and towns.
