NATURAL FEEDING
It is now widely recognised and acknowledged that many health and behavioural problems commonly found in domestic dogs and cats can be attributed directly to their diet including digestive sensitivities, wind, diarrohea, poor teeth and gums, bad breath, tear and paw staining, itchy skin, flaky skin, hyperactivity and lethargy.
Dogs and cats are separated from their closest wild relatives, wolves and lynx, by just 1% of their genetic make-up.
They still have sharp teeth designed primarily to rip meat and crunch bones and a short, highly acidic digestive tract designed to digest meat.
Whilst cats are classed as obligate carnivores, meaning they must eat meat in order to survive, dogs are omnivores meaning that although they require meat, they may also benefit from a balance of vegetables, fruits and botanicals to thrive.
Feeding high quality, "biological and naturally appropriate" human-grade ingredients is now widely proven to have a positive effect on pets health, eliminating many of the problems mentioned above and giving them a better quality and length of life.
Many of the foods found at Calne Pet Supplies are classed as "biologically / naturally" appropriate and are available either raw(frozen), wet or dry therefore allowing you to choose the style of feeding that best suits your pet, your lifestyle and your budget.
You may not have heard of the foods we stock. That's because most of the companies behind the foods have only evolved within the last few years and are often independent, family-owned companies. They don't need to advertise or rely on special offers and often only want to be seen in the independent sector. Their popularity is growing by word of mouth and healthier, happier pets. Without doubt, they are the future of feeding your pet.
Many people believe that natural feeding will be expensive. But increased costs, if any, are far outweighed by the benefits to your pets health and well-being and the higher the quality of the food, the less you need to feed because your pet will digest and utilise natural food more easily.
This also means less waste...so far less mess to pick up!
Always consult the feeding guide and remember that this will vary from brand to brand and is only a guide. The requirements of individual dogs / cats may differ from the guide depending on their age and level of activity so adjust the amount if necessary to keep your pet in a lean and active condition but remember that puppies / kittens and lactating bitches / queens will need more food.
Biological and naturally appropriate ingredients also mean that most foods are suitable for all breeds of dog or cat, all sizes and age. This helps to avoid the confusion presented by some brands that seem to have endless varieties...for every breed, life stage, size etc! Now the only decision is which protein source...and there's almost something for every day of the week!
Ingredients to look for include single source meat or fish proteins, fruit, vegetables and botanicals alongside ingredients such as brewers yeast, seaweed, salmon oil and glucosamine...all great for digestion, oral health, skin and joints.
Duck, lamb and salmon are widely acknowledged as some of the easiest protein sources to digest and the most palatable, so these feature prominently in many natural foods.
Ingredients to avoid are: grains (wheat, maize, barley, white rice and soy etc); artificial preservatives, flavours and colours; sweeteners and genetically modified ingredients.
Many dogs are sensitive to chicken and beef so these are also best avoided if you are trying to resolve problems with upset tummies. Duck, turkey, lamb and salmon make excellent alternatives. Venison and rabbit (often in the form of a mixed game / country recipe) are increasingly to be found and there's even goat, buffalo, ostrich and kangaroo!
A good quality food will be nutritionally balanced to provide a complete diet when fed alone.
But, pets love variety and feeding a spoonful of wet food as a "topper" on their kibble or adding a little extra crunch with a sprinkle of kibble on their wet food can be a good way to add interest and often provides the encouragement needed for fussy eaters - just remember to reduce the primary source of food accordingly.
However, It's also important to note that raw / wet food is digested and absorbed differently to dry food. Raw / wet food takes approximately 4-6 hours to digest whilst dry food may take between 8 - 12 hours. If both types of food are being digested at the same time, some pets may experience problems so if you wish to feed an equal combination of raw / wet and dry, it is best to operate a split feeding regime with the raw / wet food fed in the morning and the dry food fed in the evening.
A little warm water added to kibble helps to release the flavours and is a quick and easy way of making dry food even tastier!
Use an "interactive" (slow) feeder - they are not gimmicks but a proven way to slow your pet down, allowing them to really enjoy their food whilst providing important mental stimulation and helping to avoid bloat. Interactive feeders are available in a variety of designs and are suitable for both dogs and cats.
Pets like routine. Try to feed them at the same time each day. Make sure that they are ready for food and not too full of treats! We all love to reward and treat our pets. It's fun, a good way to bond and train and if it involves chewing it's essential for dental health but keep it natural, simple and in small quantities - the primary source of nutrition should always come from the main meals.
If you want to find out more, come and visit the shop, talk to us and take a look at the products in more detail.
Feeding biologically and naturally appropriate foods will make a positive difference to your pet and you will notice it.
We always constantly review our products and look to add new products and ranges as appropriate.
However, we are happy to order any brand of any food available to us.
Check out allaboutdogfood to look at the ratings and reviews of a wide range of foods.
Not all of the foods we stock may yet be rated or reviewed but they are still great for your pet!
Dogs and cats are separated from their closest wild relatives, wolves and lynx, by just 1% of their genetic make-up.
They still have sharp teeth designed primarily to rip meat and crunch bones and a short, highly acidic digestive tract designed to digest meat.
Whilst cats are classed as obligate carnivores, meaning they must eat meat in order to survive, dogs are omnivores meaning that although they require meat, they may also benefit from a balance of vegetables, fruits and botanicals to thrive.
Feeding high quality, "biological and naturally appropriate" human-grade ingredients is now widely proven to have a positive effect on pets health, eliminating many of the problems mentioned above and giving them a better quality and length of life.
Many of the foods found at Calne Pet Supplies are classed as "biologically / naturally" appropriate and are available either raw(frozen), wet or dry therefore allowing you to choose the style of feeding that best suits your pet, your lifestyle and your budget.
You may not have heard of the foods we stock. That's because most of the companies behind the foods have only evolved within the last few years and are often independent, family-owned companies. They don't need to advertise or rely on special offers and often only want to be seen in the independent sector. Their popularity is growing by word of mouth and healthier, happier pets. Without doubt, they are the future of feeding your pet.
Many people believe that natural feeding will be expensive. But increased costs, if any, are far outweighed by the benefits to your pets health and well-being and the higher the quality of the food, the less you need to feed because your pet will digest and utilise natural food more easily.
This also means less waste...so far less mess to pick up!
Always consult the feeding guide and remember that this will vary from brand to brand and is only a guide. The requirements of individual dogs / cats may differ from the guide depending on their age and level of activity so adjust the amount if necessary to keep your pet in a lean and active condition but remember that puppies / kittens and lactating bitches / queens will need more food.
Biological and naturally appropriate ingredients also mean that most foods are suitable for all breeds of dog or cat, all sizes and age. This helps to avoid the confusion presented by some brands that seem to have endless varieties...for every breed, life stage, size etc! Now the only decision is which protein source...and there's almost something for every day of the week!
Ingredients to look for include single source meat or fish proteins, fruit, vegetables and botanicals alongside ingredients such as brewers yeast, seaweed, salmon oil and glucosamine...all great for digestion, oral health, skin and joints.
Duck, lamb and salmon are widely acknowledged as some of the easiest protein sources to digest and the most palatable, so these feature prominently in many natural foods.
Ingredients to avoid are: grains (wheat, maize, barley, white rice and soy etc); artificial preservatives, flavours and colours; sweeteners and genetically modified ingredients.
Many dogs are sensitive to chicken and beef so these are also best avoided if you are trying to resolve problems with upset tummies. Duck, turkey, lamb and salmon make excellent alternatives. Venison and rabbit (often in the form of a mixed game / country recipe) are increasingly to be found and there's even goat, buffalo, ostrich and kangaroo!
A good quality food will be nutritionally balanced to provide a complete diet when fed alone.
But, pets love variety and feeding a spoonful of wet food as a "topper" on their kibble or adding a little extra crunch with a sprinkle of kibble on their wet food can be a good way to add interest and often provides the encouragement needed for fussy eaters - just remember to reduce the primary source of food accordingly.
However, It's also important to note that raw / wet food is digested and absorbed differently to dry food. Raw / wet food takes approximately 4-6 hours to digest whilst dry food may take between 8 - 12 hours. If both types of food are being digested at the same time, some pets may experience problems so if you wish to feed an equal combination of raw / wet and dry, it is best to operate a split feeding regime with the raw / wet food fed in the morning and the dry food fed in the evening.
A little warm water added to kibble helps to release the flavours and is a quick and easy way of making dry food even tastier!
Use an "interactive" (slow) feeder - they are not gimmicks but a proven way to slow your pet down, allowing them to really enjoy their food whilst providing important mental stimulation and helping to avoid bloat. Interactive feeders are available in a variety of designs and are suitable for both dogs and cats.
Pets like routine. Try to feed them at the same time each day. Make sure that they are ready for food and not too full of treats! We all love to reward and treat our pets. It's fun, a good way to bond and train and if it involves chewing it's essential for dental health but keep it natural, simple and in small quantities - the primary source of nutrition should always come from the main meals.
If you want to find out more, come and visit the shop, talk to us and take a look at the products in more detail.
Feeding biologically and naturally appropriate foods will make a positive difference to your pet and you will notice it.
We always constantly review our products and look to add new products and ranges as appropriate.
However, we are happy to order any brand of any food available to us.
Check out allaboutdogfood to look at the ratings and reviews of a wide range of foods.
Not all of the foods we stock may yet be rated or reviewed but they are still great for your pet!