Freshpet Vital

This week’s blog post was written by Lisa P. Weeth, Doctor of Veterinary Medicine and Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Nutrition.

Not all calories are created equally. More recent veterinary research has challenged the more traditional low fat, high fiber approach to weight loss for dogs and cats. While absolute calorie reduction is essential, studies have shown that dogs and cats fed higher protein diets during weight loss maintain lean body mass (muscle mass) more than when fed higher fiber, more moderate protein diets.

During energy restriction for weight loss it is important to ensure all of the essential nutrients requirements are being met each day, and as such, Veterinary Nutritionists (veterinarians who have undergone specialized training in dog and cat nutrition and are certified by the American College of Veterinary Nutrition) recommend feeding a diet that has a minimum protein content of 30% of the calories. Freshpet diets that meet this criterion include:

• Freshpet Select Chicken, Vegetable & Rice Recipe
• Freshpet Select Chunky Beef, Vegetable & Rice Recipe 
• Freshpet Select Chunky Chicken, Turkey, Vegetables & Rice Recipe 
• Deli Fresh Chicken, Vegetable & Rice Formula 
• Deli Fresh Turkey, Vegetable & Rice Formula 
• Vital Grain-Free Chicken, Beef, Salmon, & Egg Recipe
• Vital Grain-Free Beef & Bison Recipe
• Vital Grain-Free Turkey Recipe
• Vital Grain-Free Complete Meals for Dogs

More recent evidence in people and cats has also shown that individuals fed higher protein, lower carbohydrate diets will actual consume 5-10% more calories per day and still lose weight. This is known as the thermic effect of food, or the difference in the amount of energy required to burn different types of food. Put another way, it takes more energy (calories) to burn 100 calories worth of protein than it does to burn 100 calories worth of starch (simple carbohydrate).

Protein and fat also help promote satiety, or the feeling of fullness, after each meal. Research has shown that higher moisture foods (like all Freshpet recipes) may also help the animal feel full while actually consuming fewer calories.

This week’s blog post is written by pet agility trainer Linda of Bohm-Marrazzo Photography. Her prizewinner, Pippi, gets her energy by eating Freshpet cat food!

Cat agility has been around since 2005 and is offered as a competition at the larger cat shows, which has the 32 x 32 foot room needed to run the 10 part obstacle course. This consists of weave poles, tunnels, jumps, hoops, and a step frame. If you want to read more – google CFA cat agility – and read lots about it.

I started training Pippi a few weeks ago, even took a cat lesson and went to the last show of the season in Easton, Pennsylvania to merely have some laughs and introduce my five-month-old Somali kitten to the ring. Significantly, this show is the last chance all the heavy hitters in breed and agility have to capture points for national standings – that meant that the top cats in agility flew in from Oregon, California, Virginia and the like. I also showed her in the breed ring – she showed under 12 judges and won 11 blue ribbons for best color and best of breed in the Somali kitten category. So when I went in to the agility “cage” I never thought about anything but handling her like I handle Whoopee, my prizewinning Pyrenean Shepherd, in the dog ring.

Imagine my complete disbelief when I found out that we had beat all the “veterans” and won the class in 22 seconds. It was such a hoot! The next day we competed again – she was quite tired, so we only placed 6th – however the points and speed from both days put us in First Place in the CFA’s North American Region as the Best Agility Cat and we placed 10th in the nation – so imagine when we get serious!!!

She comes from the Kimbelot cattery in Pennsylvania where her grandfather Eric lives – his picture is on the Freshpet Vital Complete Meals for Cats bag. So that’s the story at the moment – I’m going to the banquet in June to get my trophy.

Grain-free dog and cat foods are slowly becoming a favorite for those who wish to feed their pets a more ancestral diet and for those who want to minimize the risk of food allergies. Grains can cause some canine allergies, and this can make it very difficult for a dog to digest. Here are some common symptoms of dog allergies to grains:

Symptoms of Food Allergies in Dogs

• Itchy, red, flaky skin
• Excessive chewing and licking of the abdomen, groin, and paws
• Reddened, pink, or oozing ears
• Areas of balding
• Dark pigmentation of the skin
• Bacterial infections

We recommend that you see a veterinarian immediately should your dog display any of these symptoms. Food allergies can be treated once your dog has been tested and you have found what is the root of the problem. Wheat and corn often do cause allergies in animals, so it is best to avoid these ingredients in your dog’s food.

Since some of the more common food allergies are due to grains, we created our grain-free line Freshpet Vital for dogs and cats, which has recipes that contain 80% or more animal protein and 10% fruits and vegetables. Vital recipes provide a grain-free alternative that can benefit pets with coat and skin problems.

Is a Grain-Free Diet Right For Your Pet?

Although feeding a grain-free diet to your cat or dog is a healthy option, it is not necessarily better. Feeding your pet an all-natural, fresh diet from the start should have them healthy throughout the course of their life.