Organic Pet Food

Organic? Organic refers to environment-friendly farming methods using no artificial pesticides, fertilizers or chemicals to produce the purest and most natural foods possible. Organic, earth-friendly farming practices promote the sustainable value of our natural resources and produce beneficial nourishing foods for our families and companion pets.

Since the advent of grocery store commercial dog food, there has been an explosion of pets dying from tumors, growths, cancers, and diseases that were unheard many years ago.

I truly believe this has been caused by the unhealthy chemicals, pesticides, hormones, fats and preservatives used to make this cereal based kibble palatable and long lived. Can you imagine eating a dry, cereal like, tasteless food every day, that in fact can sit on the shelf for years and not spoil. Obiously there are heavy duty chemicals and preservatives used to extend the shelf life. It's like eating sawdust with a chemical enhanced flavor, to cover up all the harmful additives.

Changing to organic dog food, whether it is home made organic, with the same all natural ingredients you eat for supper, or buying the premium high grade organic dog food that has become increasingly popular, is the best you can do for your four legged companion. An organic dog food marked 95% organic meets the same guidelines as organic food produced for humans. The food won't contain pesticides or antibiotics, and it's preserved with natural substances like Vitamins C and E. Organically certified pet food is more costly, just as our own organic food is more expensive, but the advantages of superior pet health and helping our environment is worth it to most of us.

Organic dog food will say it is using certified organic ingredients, and should say which agency has done the certification.

Foods with a lot of fillers are cheaper but less nutritious. Just as with human organic food, natural organic ingredients will go a long way toward giving your pet a long, healthy life.

Some of the benefits of switching to organic dog food are: Higher energy, more activity, stronger bones and teeth, and a beautiful healthy coat. - Helps prevent itching and irritating skin conditions, because organic dog food is free of artificial colors and flavor enhancers, chemical additives and toxic pesticides that could cause many of these skin allergies. In some cases completely eliminating these allergic skin reactions. - It is easier to maintain a healthier weight, because organic dog food is superior in nutritional value, and this prevents overeating in you dog as they are more satisfied eating smaller amounts. There are no bulk fillers in organic dog food. - Better overall health and a stronger immunity. Even if you dog seems healthy he/she can still benefit. An increased immune system will help prevent long term, costly illnesses and infections, that may require costly medical treatments. - Quality of life and longevity are increased by feeding organic dog food as opposed to the cereal filled cheap dog food.

Organic dog will be formulated with human grade meat, not ground bits and pieces of animals that are unfit for human consumption, or rancid road kill, as the cheaper store bought commercial food industry uses. Also you should find an organic dog food that boasts using no corn, wheat, soy, grain fractions, fillers or by-products.

Learn to decipher labels on commercial pet foods. They are purposefully deceiving us into buying low grade, unhealthy food all for profit, not for the health of our pet.

To buy organic dog food or to make home made organic dog food will guarantee what you pet is ingesting and give him/her a better chance at a healthy, longer, happier, more energetic life.

Organic Food for the Curious

Image via WikipediaVic Errington

Are you wondering what all the hype is about organic food? Do you actually know what it is? If you are interested in going organic, or just plain curious then read on...

The organic food industry has seen tremendous growth within recent years. Increased demand has led to increased production, creating a need for general standards and a legal definition of organic food.

Most countries have adopted their own laws and standards for uniformity within organic production and processing. This eliminates confusion while protecting consumers and manufacturers.

Organic Food Definition

Under most circumstances, organic foods are those grown without the use of synthetic (and often toxic) chemicals, pesticides, fertilizers and other inputs. Livestock intended for domestic consumption is not given hormone injections (artificial growth), and is not given antibiotics as routine. Processing is also a chemical-free procedure.

Organic foods are produced and processed using techniques that benefit the whole environment; soil, water, air, animals and humans.

The Origin of Organic

The organic food market was around long before a legal definition of organic existed. Natural, chemical-free cultivation has been common practice for centuries among small farms. Before the recent increase in demand for organic products, local farms and markets were the only source for fresh organic food.

Today organic standards and certification laws regulate the market, ensuring consumers a product that is truly organic, but there are still many small farms that use strictly organic growing methods without certification. Not all organic farms can afford the costs of certification, meaning their foods will not bear the organic label although produced to the same standards.

What Foods are Organic?

When you think of organic food, fruits and vegetables are the items that typically come to mind. Now, there is much greater variety in the organic market. There are organic options for almost everything today! Organic meats; organic dairy products; organic grains for pasta and cereal; you can even find organic desserts, chocolate, beers and wines.

What is Certified Organic?

In most countries, foods grown and processed according to the set standards and regulations can apply for organic certification. The application process is quite costly and time-consuming. Certified organic farms must present reports regarding the land use for both the past and the future. Stringent records must be kept and annual on-site inspections are carried out to ensure quality and authenticity.

The organic label can only be displayed by manufacturers or growers that have passed government certification. This protects consumers as well as producers by creating expectations for any product considered organic.

The main certification body in the UK is the Soil Association. In the US it is the USDA.

What is Organic Farming and Production?

Organic standards and regulations govern all aspects of organic production, including both crops and livestock. The key to successful organic production is to use as few non-renewable resources as possible whilst promoting healthful practices for wildlife, soil, water, and air.

Organic farming involves synthetic chemical-free growing techniques using organic seeds. Crops are farmed without irradiation or the use of genetic modification. Organic foods enjoy chemical-free processing as well, without artificial (synthetic) additives, preservatives, or other ingredients.

In addition to freedom from the use of hormones and antibiotics mentioned above, animals reared for organic food production enjoy open spaces, spacious shelter and an organic diet. Consequently meat and dairy are free of synthetic chemical residues.

Organic food is a new term for natural products that have been around for centuries. Recent advancements in the organic market have brought global attention to the benefits of an organic diet, proven by research, and the laws put in place by most governments ensure consumers are getting a true organic product.