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Mains 2020/06/15 SAST
Back To Basics For Your Furbabies With Fitpet

By Monique Piderit, Rd (sa)

As carnivores, dogs and cats are physiologically designed to enjoy and thrive on raw food. A raw diet, which emphasizes raw meat, bones, fruits, and vegetables, mirrors the natural diet of animals. While our pets may have been domesticated over thousands of years, their guts remain unchanged. Eating raw food is evolutionary-based on what cats and dogs ate before they became domesticated: This is why in 1993 Australian veterinarian Dr Ian Billinghurst proposed that our beloved fur-babies should follow the BARF diet: Bones and Raw Food/ Biologically Appropriate Raw Food.

As we strive to achieve the FitChef 360 goal to nutritionally support you, your families, and now your beloved pet, too, this inspired the development of FitPet: the new range of raw food for cats and dogs, available at www.fitchef.co.za.

What Is on The Menu?
All dogs and cats are designed to eat raw food and thrive on a high quality, balanced raw diet. This includes kittens and puppies. Needing only meat for a healthy diet, cats are called obligate carnivores while dogs, needing meat and plant foods, are called omnivore carnivores. A raw dog food diet will usually include:
Benefits of Raw Food The benefits of raw food are undisputed: Are there any risks of eating raw food? Some may argue that raw food is at higher risk of microbial spoilage. Our pet food suppliers are registered with the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF), which require strict regulations are followed. Simply Pets uses only the highest quality, certified human-grade ingredients and the processing facilities conform strictly to international HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point) standards.

Make the Slow Transmission
You need to help your pet transition gradually and slowly to a raw diet. For dogs, gradually transition over 7 days. Start with a daily ratio of 25% raw to 75% previous food. If your dog seems suspicious of the raw food, it might help to mix the raw food with the regular food. Pay attention to your dog’s general comfort levels and the quality and consistency of the stools. You will know your dog is coping if stools firm and free of mucous, with no signs of discomfort or vomiting. Over the 7 days, follow your instincts and increase the proportion of raw food when you feel your dog is ready.

Cats are very routine creatures, immediately suspicious of any changes to their food and environment, and can take as much as 8 weeks to transition, If your cat is used to getting dry food, consider lightly steaming the raw food at first before going completely raw. Place a small amount of the raw, steamed food alongside the usual food. Do not mix the new raw food with the previous food. Some cats would rather starve themselves than be forced to eat something that they are not used to. It might take up to 2 weeks for your cat to show interest in the new food. Once showing an interest, gradually decrease the old food and increase the new food.

For both cats and dogs, consider using Nutribiotic for at least two weeks to help with the transition. You can also use digestive enzyme supplements to assist the dog during its transition.


#eatclean with FitPet
BARF diets are designed to mimic the natural, species-specific diet of our animal friends, using wholesome, nourishing ingredients that are efficiently digested. The FitChef range of raw dog and cat food remains true to our #eatclean ethos: real food free from preservatives, additives, chemicals, and refined ingredients.
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