Ingredients matter. Sourcing matters. Processing matters. Empower yourself to read and understand your labels with confidence.
Read the ingredient list before you purchase food. The fewer ingredients the better the quality is. If you don’t know what some of the ingredients are, don’t buy it. If it lists a bunch of vitamins, those are synthetic and dangerous. Pets should get their vitamins naturally in their food, not added in.
Be your pets advocate. The only one they can count on is you! Did you know that pet food manufacturers are not required to tell you when they change their ingredients or packaging?
Kibble is considered ultra-processed food and offers very little nutrition for your pets. Most kibbles are made from feed-grade ingredients, which are made from 4D meat (diseased, dying, decaying and down animals). Feed food made with human-grade ingredients.
One of the most important things a pet parent can do is to learn how to read and understand pet food labels and ingredients. You should also watch the PET FOOLED DOCUMENTARY on streaming services. We strongly encourage you to take some pet nutrition courses to preserve your pets health. Your pet will thank you!
Courses we recommend. Note: Prices are set by the individual businesses and prices are subject to change from what we have listed.
This course helps you learn how and why to feed your dog real food. It walks you through practical ways to help you make the transition.
“Ingredient Splitting — Deceptive Dog Food Labeling Trick” by Mike Sagman & Andrew Dickens.
Dr. Judy Morgan (2025 Holistic Veterinarian of the Decade): “What To Look For When Reading Pet Food Ingredient Labels.”
“Pet Food Labels & Comparing Price of Buying vs Making Pet Food” by Dr. Judy Morgan.
Should you care whether the food you are feeding is human grade or feed grade? You absolutely should care about the quality of the ingredients in the products you choose. There is a significant difference between those made with human-grade ingredients verses feed grade. It’s essential to prioritize selecting products that are made with high-quality, safe, and nutritious components that are suitable for human consumption. This choice can have a considerable impact on your pet’s health and well-being.
Did you know…?
The front of a pet food bag is designed to sell you a feeling. You may see pictures of fresh meat, colorful vegetables, berries, and happy, healthy pets. Words like “natural,” “premium,” “wholesome,” and “veterinarian recommended” may cover the package.
But the truth about the food is found on the ingredient panel.
From a holistic perspective, food should nourish the whole animal. It should support digestion, the immune system, the skin and coat, the joints, the organs, and long-term vitality. The farther a food moves away from fresh, recognizable ingredients, the harder the body may have to work to process it.
Dogs and cats do not need brightly colored, heavily processed pellets filled with artificial flavors, synthetic nutrients, vague animal ingredients, and multiple starches. They need real food.
Whenever possible, choose a properly balanced raw or gently cooked food made with clearly named meats, organs, healthy fats, and the fewest ingredients necessary.
A long ingredient list does not automatically mean a food is more nutritious. In many cases, it means the product has been heavily processed and then rebuilt with flavorings, preservatives, starches, synthetic vitamins, minerals, and texture-enhancing ingredients.
A simple ingredient panel is often easier for the body to recognize and digest. It is also easier for pet parents to identify possible food intolerances.
A raw or gently cooked food may contain ingredients such as:
Compare that with a kibble containing several protein meals, pea fractions, corn ingredients, artificial colors, flavor enhancers, preservatives, gums, fillers, and dozens of isolated vitamins and minerals.
In holistic feeding, simplicity matters. The goal is not merely to find a shorter label. The goal is to choose a food made from recognizable ingredients that provide real nutritional value.
Human-grade and feed-grade may sound like marketing terms, but they can reflect important differences in how ingredients are sourced, handled, processed, stored, and transported.
For a pet food to be legitimately considered human-grade, the entire product must meet the applicable standards for human food. It is not enough for a company to say that one ingredient, such as chicken or beef, is human-grade. The finished food, including every ingredient and every stage of production, must meet human-food handling standards.
Feed-grade ingredients are permitted for use in animal food but do not necessarily meet the requirements for human consumption. This does not mean every feed-grade ingredient is contaminated or immediately dangerous. However, feed-grade foods may be made with ingredients, handling practices, or processing methods that would not qualify for the human-food supply.
From a holistic perspective, this matters because pets often eat the same food every day for months or years. Ingredient quality, freshness, sourcing, and manufacturing standards can have a cumulative effect on overall health.
Feed-grade foods are more likely to include:
Human-grade food is not automatically perfect. A human-grade recipe can still contain excessive starches, gums, sweeteners, or ingredients that are not species-appropriate. Human-grade describes the quality and handling standards of the food, not whether the recipe is nutritionally ideal.
The best holistic choice is a properly balanced raw or gently cooked food that is made with fresh, clearly identified ingredients, human-grade whenever possible, minimally processed, rich in named meats and organs, and free from unnecessary additives. For more information visit our pet food overview page.
Animal digest is commonly added to kibble to make it smell and taste more appealing. It is produced by chemically or enzymatically breaking down animal tissues into a concentrated flavoring.
The problem is that the term “animal digest” is vague. The label may not clearly identify which animal was used, what tissues were included, or where the ingredients came from.
This is especially concerning for pets with allergies, food sensitivities,irrritable bowel syndrome, chronic itching, or recurring ear infections. A pet parent may believe they are avoiding a particular protein while an unidentified animal flavoring is hidden in the food.
Animal digest may also be used to make a low-quality, highly processed food irresistible. Pets may become attracted to the flavor coating rather than the nutritional value of the food itself.
Choose foods that clearly identify every animal ingredient.
Whole meat is fresh muscle meat that still contains its natural moisture. Meat meal is made by cooking animal tissue at high temperatures, removing much of the moisture and fat, and grinding the remaining material into a concentrated powder.
A named meat meal, such as chicken meal or turkey meal, is not automatically unsafe. However, it is still a rendered, highly processed ingredient.
High heat can alter proteins and reduce naturally occurring nutrients. Once ingredients are heavily processed, manufacturers often need to add synthetic vitamins, minerals, fats, and flavorings back into the food.
Vague meals are more concerning. Watch for terms such as:
These labels do not provide the transparency most holistic pet parents want.
Raw and gently cooked foods use fresh, named meats that retain their natural moisture and are closer to the form the body is designed to recognize.
The word “by-product” can be confusing because not all by-products are bad.
Organs such as liver, heart, kidney, spleen, and pancreas are incredibly nutritious. In a raw or gently cooked diet, clearly named organs provide valuable vitamins, minerals, amino acids, enzymes, and other naturally occurring nutrients.
The concern is not the organ itself. The concern is the lack of transparency.
“Beef liver” tells you exactly what your pet is eating. “Meat by-products” does not.
Vague by-products may come from different animal sources and can make it difficult to manage food sensitivities. Their quality and composition may also vary.
Look for clearly named ingredients such as:
Holistic feeding embraces organ meat, but it should be fresh, identifiable, appropriately sourced, and properly balanced.
Artificial colors are added for the human buying the food, not for the pet eating it.
Dogs and cats do not care whether their food is red, yellow, green, or brown. Artificial dyes make processed food look more appealing to people, but they provide no nutritional benefit.
Common artificial colors include:
From a holistic perspective, unnecessary additives place an additional burden on a body that may already be dealing with inflammation, digestive problems, allergies, skin disease, or immune-system stress.
There is no nutritional reason to add artificial color to a pet’s daily food.
Real food does not need to be dyed.
Synthetic vitamins and minerals are commonly added to kibble because high-heat processing can reduce or destroy many of the nutrients naturally present in the original ingredients.
Instead of receiving nutrients primarily from whole foods, pets may be given isolated nutrients such as:
These nutrients are added to help the finished food meet minimum nutritional standards. However, nutrients in nature rarely exist in isolation. Whole foods contain enzymes, amino acids, healthy fats, antioxidants, and natural cofactors that work together.
For example, liver provides far more than isolated vitamin A. Sardines provide omega-3 fatty acids along with protein, minerals, and naturally occurring nutrients. Eggs contain vitamins, minerals, fats, and highly digestible protein in a whole-food form.
Synthetic nutrients are not always avoidable. Some carefully formulated raw and gently cooked foods use small amounts to ensure the diet is complete and balanced. The concern is greater when a food relies heavily on a long synthetic vitamin and mineral premix because the underlying ingredients cannot provide enough nutrition on their own.
The healthier approach is to obtain as much nutrition as possible from whole, species-appropriate foods and use supplementation thoughtfully when it is genuinely needed for balance.
Ingredient splitting is a labeling strategy that can make a food appear to contain more meat than it actually does.
Ingredients are listed by weight. If a manufacturer divides one carbohydrate source into several smaller ingredients, each individual ingredient appears lower on the list.
For example, a food may list:
Chicken appears first, making the food look meat-based. But if all the pea ingredients were combined, peas might actually make up a larger portion of the recipe.
Other commonly split ingredients include:
When reading a label, mentally combine repeated forms of the same ingredient.
A species-appropriate food should not depend on multiple plant fractions to inflate the protein percentage, reduce cost, or hold the product together.
The salt line is a helpful holistic label-reading tool.
Salt is generally used in relatively small amounts. Ingredients listed after salt are often present in very small quantities.
This means a food may advertise blueberries, cranberries, spinach, turmeric, kale, or other attractive ingredients even though they are included in amounts too small to provide much nutritional value.
A package may display beautiful fruits and vegetables, but if those ingredients appear below salt, they may be there largely for marketing.
Focus most of your attention on the ingredients that appear before salt. Those ingredients generally make up the foundation of the food.
Pet foods containing fats must be preserved so they do not become rancid. Some highly processed foods use synthetic preservatives such as:
These preservatives extend shelf life and allow food to sit in warehouses and stores for long periods.
From a holistic perspective, shelf stability should not be valued more highly than freshness and nutritional integrity.
Raw and gently cooked foods generally require refrigeration or freezing because they contain fresh ingredients. Their shorter shelf life is not a weakness. It often reflects the fact that the food has not been chemically preserved to last for months or years.
When choosing dry, air-dried, or freeze-dried food, look for preservation methods such as mixed tocopherols or rosemary extract rather than synthetic preservatives.
Dogs and cats have no nutritional need for added sugar.
Sweeteners may be included to improve flavor, texture, color, or browning. They may also make a low-quality food more appealing.
Watch for:
Regular exposure to sugary, high-carbohydrate foods may contribute to weight gain, dental problems, blood-sugar instability, inflammation, and metabolic stress.
Cats are obligate carnivores and have no biological requirement for sweeteners. Dogs do not need sugar added to their meals either.
Fat is an essential part of a healthy diet. It provides energy, supports the skin and coat, helps the body absorb fat-soluble vitamins, and makes food satisfying.
The issue is not fat itself. The issue is an unidentified source.
“Chicken fat,” “beef fat,” or “salmon oil” clearly tells you where the fat came from. “Animal fat” does not.
Unnamed fats make it difficult to avoid certain proteins and may vary in quality from one batch to another. They may also be preserved with synthetic chemicals.
Choose foods that identify both the fat source and the method used to preserve it.
Corn, wheat, rice, peas, lentils, chickpeas, potatoes, and tapioca are not automatically toxic. The concern is how much of the food they make up and whether they are replacing animal-based nutrition.
Kibble requires starch to hold its shape. Even many grain-free foods contain large amounts of peas, lentils, potatoes, or tapioca.
Plant proteins may also raise the crude-protein percentage, making the food appear higher in protein even when much of that protein does not come from meat.
Cats are obligate carnivores. Dogs are also designed to obtain much of their nutrition from animal protein and fat.
A bowl dominated by starch is very different from a fresh, meat-based meal.
The goal is not necessarily to eliminate every plant ingredient. Carefully selected vegetables, fruits, seeds, or herbs may provide beneficial fiber and phytonutrients. However, plants should support the diet rather than replace the animal foods pets are biologically designed to eat.
The words “natural flavor” sound harmless, but they do not tell you exactly what the ingredient contains.
Natural flavors are commonly used to improve palatability after food has been processed at high temperatures. They may come from animal or plant sources, but the label may not identify the exact protein.
This can be a serious problem during an elimination diet or when feeding a pet with chronic itching, recurring ear infections, digestive upset, or suspected food intolerances.
If a company cannot clearly explain what its natural flavor contains, choose a more transparent food.
Canned and pouch foods may contain carrageenan, guar gum, xanthan gum, cassia gum, or other ingredients used to thicken the food and keep it from separating.
These ingredients are not added for your pet’s nutritional benefit. They are primarily included for texture, stability, and manufacturing convenience.
Some pets tolerate them, while others may experience gas, loose stools, nausea, or digestive irritation.
Pets with sensitive stomachs, irritable bowel syndrome, chronic digestive problems, or suspected leaky gut may do better with foods containing fewer gums and thickeners.
Cellulose is a form of insoluble fiber that may come from plant material. In pet food, it is often used to add bulk, reduce calories, or help form stool.
Small amounts of fiber can be beneficial, but large amounts of cellulose may replace more nutritious ingredients. It adds volume without providing meaningful animal-based nutrition.
Other low-cost fillers may include:
A pet eating a food high in fillers may produce larger stools because more of the food passes through the body unused.
A nutrient-dense diet often produces smaller, well-formed stools because the body is able to absorb and use more of what is being fed.
Many pets appear to love kibble because it is sprayed with rendered fat, animal digest, or flavor enhancers after cooking.
These coatings can make a heavily processed food smell intense and taste extremely appealing. A pet refusing fresh food may not actually dislike real food. The pet may simply be accustomed to concentrated flavor coatings.
Transitioning to raw or gently cooked food may take time, especially for pets that have eaten heavily flavored kibble for years.
A gradual transition can allow the digestive system and taste preferences to adjust.
Raw and gently cooked diets are generally made with fresh, identifiable ingredients. They naturally contain moisture, animal protein, healthy fats, organs, and whole-food nutrients.
Because they are not processed into dry pellets at extreme temperatures, they remain closer to their natural form.
Potential benefits of a properly balanced fresh-food diet may include:
Raw food is not simply raw meat. It must be properly balanced with muscle meat, organs, an appropriate calcium source, essential fatty acids, vitamins, minerals, and any additional nutrients required for the individual pet.
Gently cooked food can be an excellent choice for families who are uncomfortable feeding raw, pets with specific medical needs, or animals that digest lightly cooked food more comfortably.
The healthiest diet is one that is fresh, balanced, minimally processed, tolerated by the individual pet, and practical for the family to feed consistently.
Choose foods with:
The first ingredients should look like food.
Chicken, turkey, beef, rabbit, sardines, liver, heart, eggs, pumpkin, zucchini, and blueberries are recognizable ingredients.
Animal digest, meat by-products, natural flavor, poultry meal, unnamed animal fat, and a long list of chemical nutrient names require more questions. See our pet food recommendations.
Your pet eats the same food day after day. That makes ingredient quality incredibly important.
The body is designed to recognize and use real food. It should not have to depend on artificial colors, mystery meats, sweeteners, flavor coatings, cheap fillers, excessive starches, and dozens of synthetic nutrients to create the appearance of nutrition.
Choose the least processed food you can reasonably afford and manage. For many families, that means a properly balanced raw or gently cooked diet made with fresh meat, organs, healthy fats, and a limited number of whole-food ingredients.
Human-grade is preferable when available, but it should be considered alongside the entire recipe. A human-grade food can still be overly starchy or highly processed, while a thoughtfully formulated fresh food should provide both high-quality ingredients and appropriate nutritional balance.
Do not be fooled by the picture on the bag. Read the ingredient panel, look above the salt line, combine split ingredients, and question vague terminology.
The closer the food is to its natural form, the easier it is to understand what you are placing in your pet’s bowl.
Food is medicine. Feed the body with real food, not marketing.
Discover the wonderful benefits of fruits that are safe and tasty for our furry friends, from avocados to strawberries and more!
This ultimate guide to fruits by Dr. Dobias is a must read.
Avocados are a powerhouse of nutrition. They significantly improve gut bacteria, enhance the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins, effectively slow cognitive decline, combat neurodegenerative diseases, and may even help prevent seizures.
Their nutrient profile boasts Magnesium, Potassium, Calcium, Folate, and Vitamins C and E.
WARNING: While persin, a toxin found in the skin, stems, and leaves of avocados, can be harmful to dogs, you can confidently feed them the meat of the fruit. The skin and nut should not be fed to a pet.
Berries are an excellent natural source of antioxidants, which can help support cellular health and help reduce oxidative stress in dogs.
Blueberries are commonly included in fresh food diets and are a great starting point due to their relatively low fiber content, making them well-tolerated by many dogs.
However, blackberries are another valuable option that should not be overlooked! Both blueberries and blackberries are rich in anthocyanins-flavanoid compounds responsible for their depp purple pigmentation. These compounds exhibit strong antioxidant activity, contributing to the overall health benefits of these fruits.
From a nutritional standpoint, blackberries also offer additional fiber and potassium. While potassium is present in many foods, its concentration is typically modest, and the body does not store it efficiently. This make consistent dietary sources important for both humans and dogs.
If your dog tolerates moderate shifts in fiber content, consider introducing a mashed blackberry as an occasional addition to their bowl.
Packed with perks for your furry friends — think enhanced memory, detox dynamo, antioxidant extraordinaire, and inflammation’s worst nightmare! Who knew brussel sprouts could be such overachievers?
Serve them raw or with gently cooked, but make sure to chop into tiny edible bites!
Pet food manufacturers worldwide are facing a growing challenge — controlling mold contamination in both dry and canned foods. This issue has led to numerous lawsuits linked to pet illnesses and deaths.
One of the most dangerous mold byproducts is aflatoxin, a potent fungal toxin. When pets consume food with unsafe levels of aflatoxins, they are at high risk for poisoning. These toxins can damage vital organs, suppress the immune system, and have even been linked to an increased risk of liver cancer.
A Natural Defense: Carrots
An easy and natural way to support your pet’s defense against aflatoxins is by incorporating apiaceous vegetables, such as carrots, into their diet. Carrots contain unique compounds called polyacetylenes, which help detoxify harmful substances — including aflatoxins.
While completely eliminating aflatoxins from a dog’s system can be challenging, carrots can support your pet’s metabolism and help process and neutralize these toxins more effectively.

How to Serve Carrots to Dogs:
Protecting your pet starts with smart choices. Adding carrots to their diet is a simple yet powerful way to boost their health and resilience.
Lastly, it’s a misconception that carrots are high in sugar. A medium raw carrot contains only 5.8 grams of carbohydrate. Making it non-starchy.
Glycemic Index measures how much some foods and drinks raise your blood sugar levels. It runs on a scale of 1 to 100. A score of 100 means the food has the same effect on your body as eating a type of sugar called glucose.
The lower the glycemic index (GI), the slower your blood sugar rises. Raw carrots have a GI of 16. The GI for boiled carrots ranges from 32 to 49. That puts carrots in the low glycemic food group:
Low glycemic index: 1-55
Medium glycemic index: 56-69
High glycemic index: 70 or higher
Chia seeds are a remarkable superfood that can greatly enhance your dog’s health. They support skin and coat vitality, promote digestive wellness, and serve as an excellent source of protein and healthy fats. To maximize their benefits, introduce them gradually and in moderation. Soaking the seeds before feeding is key to preventing digestive discomfort; use up to 1/4 teaspoon per 10 lbs of body weight for best results.
We recommend ANTHONY’S ORGANIC CHIA SEEDS.
“Can Dogs Eat Chia Seeds?”
Dandelions are packed with essential vitamins A, C, and K, along with important minerals such as iron and potassium. They can be beneficial for digestion and liver health. Dogs can safely enjoy the vibrant yellow flowers, the nutritious green leaves, and even the roots of dandelions. Just make sure they are thoroughly cleaned and free from any harmful pesticides or herbicides.
Mushrooms are wonderful little fungi packed with anti-cancer and immune-boosting benefits! They support liver health, aid in tissue repair, and help prevent chronic diseases in our older pets. We absolutely love the following mushroom types:
Omega-3’s provide undeniable advantages for pets, significantly enhancing skin and coat health, effectively reducing inflammation, boosting heart health, and improving cognitive function. They are also critical in strengthening the immune system and promoting optimal joint mobility. So don’t miss adding Omega 3’s to their diet.
Rotate Omega-3 sources every couple of weeks or a month. Always choose organic.
TIPS:
Although not as high in omega-3 as the foods above, many other foods contain decent amounts. These include:
We recommend:
Did you know that turmeric can be a fantastic addition to your pet’s diet? It’s not just a spice; it brings a bunch of health perks too! It helps reduce inflammation, keeps those joints healthy, and improves digestion while offering a boost of antioxidants. If your pet struggles with allergies or has skin issues, turmeric might just come to the rescue! The magic ingredient, curcumin, works wonders in easing inflammation and discomfort linked to arthritis and joint pain. Plus, it can keep those joints flexible, making life easier for our older pals or those with joint concerns. Turmeric also helps with digestion by promoting bile production and can ease symptoms like gas and bloating. If your pet has skin irritation, turmeric can help soothe that, too! With its natural antimicrobial benefits, it might just be what they need to fend off infections and support their immune system. It may even lend a hand with heart health by lowering cholesterol and supporting liver detox! Some studies hint at curcumin having anti-cancer properties — exciting, right? And here’s a fun tip: Adding a pinch of black pepper can boost curcumin absorption! Remember, turmeric is safe for pets in small amounts, so it’s best to start small and gradually increase as needed. Your pet will thank you!
Did you know that soft-boiled is the healthiest way to serve eggs? You should check out the YouTube video by Dr. Karen Becker and Rodney Habib that shares all the details!
“How to make your pet food 100 times better for less than $.10 a day!” by Dr. Karen Becker and Rodney Habib.
Dogs Naturally explores the benefits of feeding raw eggs to our furry friends!
Did you know that eggshells are a fantastic source of calcium, glucosamine, and chondroitin? They’re great for promoting healthy joints, bones, and teeth, making them perfect for your puppies and those special pregnant or nursing Moms!
Just grind the eggshells into a fine powder. Adult dogs can benefit from 1 teaspoon for every 1,000 calories, while puppies will need about 1.5 teaspoons. If you decide to feed eggshells, be sure to choose organic ones from your local farmers. Grocery store eggs often undergo washing and sanitization with a chemical solution, usually chlorine-based, before being sold. Yikes! Who wants to eat that?
“Fresh Eggshell Membrane Helpful Inexpensive Support For Your Dogs Joints” by Karen Rosenfeld.
Garlic is beneficial for your pets, contrary to what you may have heard. Discover the facts, and I’ll share everything you need to know about it… Dr. Judy Morgan.
I have probably spent 100 hours on the internet typing “garlic is not toxic!” this year alone.
In traditional Chinese veterinary medicine, garlic is indicated for food stagnation, cancer, diabetes, and asthma. It is used to Warm the Middle and promote both digestion and healthy intestinal flora. Most commonly, garlic is used for natural prevention of parasites like fleas and ticks.
Garlic can be beneficial for both dogs and cats in appropriate doses. I use fresh crushed cloves (5-7g cloves) to get the full benefits of garlic.
*Please make sure to note the difference between a clove and a bulb/head of garlic.
Note: Purchase garlic made in the USA (not China). Garlic is not recommended for puppies and kittens. Long term use is contraindicated in pets with vision issues. If your pet has a history of hemolytic anemia, it would be safer to avoid use of garlic in any form.
From rawpetsmedics.com 30 Oct 2024 post:
Raw garlic is used by the natural veterinary community for its antimicrobial, antiseptic, antibiotic and yes, antihelminthis properties.
Fresh raw garlic has been effectively used as a deworming agent in pigs (Lans et al. 2007, Bartha et al. 2015), ruminants (Lans et al. 2007, Bullitta et al. 2018) and cats (Ronagh et al. 2015).
Bastidas (1969) treated a hookworm infestation in a meat-fed dog with raw garlic and tracked the mean daily larvae count (baby worms). The graph showed numbers plummet consistently to Day 10. Then they stop the treatment, and the larvae count goes straight back up again.
Interestingly, they found garlic to be more effective on baby worms than adult worms. So if you have a worm infection, it might not be the garlic you’d be relying on!
In another study in dogs, Andrei et al. (2011) noted a 90% reduction in larvae count per gram of faeces for all 6 worm species (including various roundworms, hookworms and whipworms) following a twice-daily, weight-dependent dose of their natural deworming concoction, which included a variety of popular anthelminthic herbs, garlic and pumpkin seed oil.
Too much of a good thing is dangerous. More on how to use garlic SAFELY in dogs…
“Garlic Safe for Dogs? Research Shows The Benefits And Cautions Of Using Garlic In Dog Food” by Dr. Conor Brady.
WARNING: Pregnant or whelping dogs, Japanese breeds, or pets on certain medications should not eat garlic.
Be sure to read this article that clarifies the origins of the misconception about garlic and the insights from later studies.
Dogs Naturally magazine reveals the remarkable truth about garlic and its potential benefits for our canine companions. This fascinating article explores how this common kitchen ingredient can contribute to a dog’s overall health and well-being.
“Can Dogs Eat Garlic? Actually, There Is Almost Nothing This “Wonder Food” Can’t Do!” by Nancy Kerns.
“Can Dogs Eat Garlic?” by Dana Scott.
“Why I Feed my Dogs GARLIC!!” by Rachel Fusaro.
The consumption of grapes is contraindicated due to their potential toxic effects on both cats and dogs. In other words… don’t feed grapes to your pets! Learn why in this great article from Dogs Naturally magazine.
Onions are toxic too, and should be avoided by pets. Even a small amount (.o5%) can be harmful. Don’t risk it!
Why shouldn’t I feed rice? Embrace a new perspective. Avoid adding rice to your pet’s diet. The combination of chicken and rice are often suggested for a bland diet to calm digestive issues, but there are better solutions for digestive health. Here’s why…
Chicken & Rice: Vets suggest it as a bland food during bouts of sickness, usually as it passes through the digestive tract very quickly, which helps get their systems going again. More and more often, people are finding that dogs can’t tolerate it, and it can aggravate skin conditions. As I say, there’s no nutritional value in it, but it is used when dogs are poorly.
It’s a stock-standard line ingrained into our brain when we have a sick dog suffering any form of digestive upset.
If we look a little closer at these two seemingly ‘bland foods,’ our oblivious veterinarians’ advice may just be the last thing we should follow.
First, let’s take a look at rice.
Rice is a grain. It is inherently inflammatory. Dogs do not digest rice too well. It takes a lot of work for the body to break down. Rice is a carbohydrate, and we know dogs have little nutritional requirement for carbohydrates in their diet. White rice has a high glycemic index, meaning it will cause a rapid spike in blood glucose levels. White rice is far too starchy to be part of any dog’s daily diet, let alone when it is suffering GI tract inflammation.
FDA issued a warning on rice having traces of arsenic.
Chicken is one of the two most common protein intolerances or sensitivities to many dogs. Now, there are two main theories for this. The first is that most people are feeding factory-farmed rather than organic chicken. Intensively farmed chicken is fed grains (often GMO grains), pumped full of growth hormones and antibiotics, and vaccinated 3 times in its 30-day lifespan. No wonder our dogs have a problem with chicken. I have known some dogs to be fine with organic chicken.
The second and more compelling theory is canine vaccines.
This aside (of course, not all dogs have a problem with chicken), chicken in Chinese medicine is considered a ‘hot food’. We certainly don’t want to be feeding our sick dog a ‘hot’ food, but rather ‘cooling foods’ that will help clear heat and toxins and cool and calm the blood. See our bland diet page for more information.
And here are some additional ingredients to avoid in your pet’s diet, that you should be aware of, in order to prevent potential health issues.
Dr. Judy Morgan (2025 Holistic Veterinarian of the Decade): “Dr. Judy’s Pet Food Criteria | FAQ’s What & Why.”
“The Pet Food Ingredient System is Dramatically Changing Behind Closed Doors” by Susan Thixton.
What I learned about nutrition in veterinary school: or “how to read a pet food label”
by Dr. Josie Beug, DVM, CVA.
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