THE FACTS ABOUT
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ORGANIC PET FOOD
Pet food is one of the fastest growing markets within organic products. In fact, the Organic Trade Association states that the market for organic pet food is growing at a faster rate than the market for organic human food! This organic pet food is typically manufactured without the following types of ingredients that are found in non-organic pet food:
Antibiotics
Non-organic pet foods often contain beef or other meat sources that have been exposed to antibiotics. When these meat sources are placed into pet food, dogs and cats may be exposed to traces of these same chemicals. Long-term exposure to antibiotics may result in a compromised immune system and the destruction of friendly bacteria living in your pet’s intestines; these friendly bacteria are crucial to digesting foods properly and assimilating nutrients.
Many non-organic pet foods contain chicken by-products, which are rendered chicken parts that may contain the slaughtered animal’s neck, feet, intestines, undeveloped eggs and even feathers. Chicken by-products have been deemed an inferior source of protein.
Corn / Wheat Gluten
Corn and wheat gluten meal is often added to non-organic pet food to absorb toxins that may be in the rendered by-products. It is also a cheap source of protein and is added to pet food as a filler. Dogs and cats do not digest or tolerate corn and wheat well and may develop allergies.
Organic Pet Food
Organic pet foods offer many benefits to dogs and cats. Pet owners report that their pets tend to have fewer problems with skin allergies and scratching, reduced digestive disorders, more energy, easier maintenance of a healthy weight, as well as better overall health. These benefits may be attributable to the absence of fillers and inferior sources of protein which are found in non-organic pet food. Of course, it may be wise for pet owners who are considering switching to organic pet food to check with their veterinarian to ensure that their organic pet food constitutes a balanced diet for their pet. Organic pet food is still fairly expensive relative to non-organic pet food, but as demand for these products grows and more companies spring up to fill this demand, the prices should become more reasonable. However, many pet owners report that the benefits of going organic are well worth the extra price.