posted by admin on Aug 21
Linda Fortune
Author of Regal: An Intimate View of One Magnificent Feline
An Emerging Awareness Tip 3: Knowledge of higher quality pet foods is more available now.
Welcome!
For years, I think many of us assumed the best where commercial animal foods were concerned and did not give much thought as to the quality or differences between available brands. However, more thoughtful awareness is now being given to these issues and better foods are being produced. We have made a quantum leap in understanding and accessing the quality of ingredients placed in animal processed foods. In response, many people are choosing higher grades of processed foods and some are returning to the preparation of their own homemade natural food based on the better understanding of animal needs and how animal systems work.
This heightened concern and awareness became especially apparent as we witnessed the recent problem of contaminated ingredients being added to pet foods as a means to cheaply fortify protein level readings. This was done to increase company profits with no regard to the ingredient’s detrimental effect on animals. And, because of this, many animals around the United States suffered and died.
These events have supported the growing awareness and interest in providing more natural and wholesome foods for our animal friends. There is a growing concern for providing human beings with organic and fresh food as well. Sixteen years ago I was fortunate to be in a situation where I learned about living foods, raw and rich enzyme filled vegetables. I saw my health improve significantly and became committed to healthy eating. As I said last week, I am somewhat embarrassed that I did not transfer this learning faster to my animal food understandings. Maybe slow on the uptake, I feel good that I am now making the connection. Because of it, my next animal will be fed more natural and enzyme alive appropriate foods.
Next entry: Tip 4 and the disturbing information about animal processed foods.
With blessings, Linda
posted by on Aug 14
Linda Fortune
Author of Regal: An Intimate View of One Magnificent Feline
What Triggered My Quest to Investigate Animal Foods
Tip 2: There are problems with processed foods.
Welcome!
When I realized that Regal was not acting her normal self, I became concerned and immediately made an appointment with the vet. During our visit, the vet asked a simple but very important question which started my process of thinking. “What food are you feeding Regal?” Initially I didn’t think much about the question and proudly announced the brand name of Regal’s food, thinking that I had been feeding her the best thing available in the supermarket. It wasn’t long before this question and the vet’s recommendation of changing Regal’s diet led me to question the quality of the food that I had been feeding Regal. I wondered as to its direct contribution to her kidney failure.
Fragments of information slowly started to surface and I started to learn more about the quality of foods that are available for our pets in supermarkets compared to the quality of foods available now with the advent of natural pet stores. I started to study the labels and saw significant variations between them. Books led me to the disturbing discovery of the meaning of animal by-products and what they consist of compared to the labels listing animal products which signify a higher quality of food products.
As I investigated these issues, I came to the realization that the processed foods that I had been feeding Regal probably were part of her problem. And, with some embarrassment, I have realized that I had not applied the same understandings and principles that governed my choice of food – namely the value of fresh foods filled with enzymes – to guide my decisions for Regal. I’m sorry to say that it did not even come into my consciousness. I just hadn’t given it much thought.
Next entry: Tip 3 and an emerging awareness.
Blessings, Linda
posted by on Aug 2
August 1, 2008
Linda Fortune
Author of Regal: An Intimate View of One Magnificent Feline
Welcome and purpose
Tip 1: What we feed our animal friends either contributes to their good health or fosters illness.
Welcome!
While writing my Regal Cat’s wonderful story, I became aware of a couple of issues which stimulated my exploration into natural health care for animals. Learning some important things, I decided that I wanted to share what I learned and make a contribution to the better care of animals. Thus, I have created this!
blog as a means to share. May you tune in, benefit, and share your knowledge also.
My first entries will focus on the quality of the foods we feed our animal friends. Sadly, I have become aware that I did not feed Regal the best of foods even though I thought I had done so at the time. I have since learned more about feline nutrition and some of the problems facing us regarding processed foods. Having come to the realization that processed foods probably contributed to Regal’s health problem, I am determined to feed my next felines in better ways. And so, I needed to learn a few things.
As a culture, we are growing in the awareness of those nutritional principles that, when followed, enhance and contribute to a good state of human health. It seems that there is also growing awareness of animal nutritional needs and desire to feed animals in more natural healthy ways. I have found that people prepared homemade foods for their animals up until about sixy years ago. This potentially healthier way of feeding pets with fresher ingre
dients gave way to the advent of industrial processed animal foods which then became easily available in the supermarkets. A major shift took place. We are realizing now that this trend toward processed foods has had its costs in both animal and human health.
Next entry: Tip 2 and Guess what triggered my quest to investigate the quality of animal foods.
With blessings, Linda