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Diet and Disease....
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Diet is linked to MOST all common dog and cat
diseases.

The following is a list of common diseases, and their
dietary links...

-Allergies. The most common proven allergens for dogs
are beef, chicken, milk, eggs, corn, wheat, and soy;
for cats, fish and milk products.

-Arthritis is often a result of joint wear and tear -
but, diet is key. If the appropriate diet is fed, your
pet is less likely to be overweight, and have arthritis.
Many of the Premium diets have additional anti-oxidants,
Glucosamine and EFA's which will aid in treating and preventing
arthritis.

-Dental Disease is often a result of dogs and cats not
having adequate abrasive food materials to regularly chew on.
In the wild, dogs and cats would both regularly crunch bones.
I am seeing dog guardians who feed raw food to have very health
dogs with exceptionally clean teeth.

-Kidney Failure. Inadequate and improper protein sources and
low moisture content (of dry foods) are the two major kidney
stressors I believe occur in commercial foods. The kidneys also
take a hard hit from many toxins to which the body is exposed.

-Urinary Infections and Crystals. This is often caused by
consumption of a dry, high carbohydrate diet. The classic
example is the corn based dry cat food that produces a high
urinary ph and concentrated urine. These are the two biggest
risk factors for FLUTD (Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease).

-Hyperthyroidism. This is defined as enlarged thyroid glands
and high levels of thyroid hormone in the blood. The increase
of this had been attributed to chemicals in Cat Food.

-Chronic Vomiting and Diarrhea. In addition, the proteins in
grains are less digestible than animal proteins.

-Immune Disorders. The immune system becomes irritated and
weakened by the invasion of foreign, non-nutritive protein
and carbohydrate particles. Allergies and other chronic immune
problems may develop. In severe cases this can lead to Auto
Immune Hemolytic Anemia.

-Diabetes and Pancreatitis. The pet's pancreas will do its best
to keep up with the demand for amylase. But over time the Pancreas
loses its ability to respond leading inflammation, and severe
vomiting/diarrhea. In other cases the Pancreas is no longer able
to produce insulin, resulting in Diabetes.

-Seizures. Preservatives such as ethoxyquin, BHT, and BHA
should be avoided as they can cause seizures. Many "supermarket"
foods are loaded with chemical dyes and preservatives. Buy a high
quality kibble made from "human grade" ingredients - or better yet,
cook for your pet.

-Liver Disease. There are various causes of Liver disease - but
in cats, diet is the culprit in both causing - and treating it.
The single biggest risk factor is to have an overweight cat, which
suddenly stops eating for a period of time, mobilizes his fat stores,
and causes a condition called Hepatic Lipidosis (Fatty Liver).
The important point here is to avoid obesity by feeding a diet
high in animal protein - and AVOIDING the cheap carbohydrate based
dry cat foods.

-CANCER. There are many dietary risk factors that are contributing
to Cancer.

Here are just a few:

Smoke flavor. Indicates flavor which can potentially become
carcinogenic, retards bacteria on rancid meat.

Ethoxyquin (a preservative).The most carcinogenic preservative,
most in industry have stopped using it except very cheap, poor
quality foods.

"Red 40". Artificial color, carcinogenic.

Sodium nitrite (for color retention). Potentially highly carcinogenic.

BHA (a preservative). Chemical. Highly carcinogenic preservative.
Corn oil (preserved with TBHQ). TBHQ contains petroleum-derived butane,
can be carcinogenic.

Artificial flavor. Can become carcinogenic. Produces allergies.

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