Page 15 - Autumn 15

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REAL DOG FOOD
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• Are, by the organisation’s own admission, based on manufacturer’s research, flawed research and guesswork.
• Are only relevant for processed food that has been heavily supplemented.
• Make no reference to bioavailability.
• Make no reference to the quality of the ingredients being used.
• Don’t consider the harmful effect of toxins in processed food.
• Don’t consider the biologically appropriateness of processed food.
The need for nutritional guidelines for raw fed dogs
(and what we are planning to do about it).
Over the next 12 to 24 months we are planning to produce nutritional guidelines for raw fed dogs and we re now looking for veterinary professionals interested in making a contribution. If you would like to
participate please let us know.
WHY GUIDELINES ARE NECESSARY
At the moment the most widely accepted nutritional guidelines in Europe are those published by European Pet ood Industry Federation or FEDIAF. This body, which represents around 650 manufacturers, describes itself as the competent partner for the EU institutions in all legislative, political and technical aspects concerning the pet
ood industry’. To which we would say: ‘Ha!’ Problems with the FEDIAF guidelines include the fact that they:
What is worrying about these guidelines is that they are being used to judge the nutritional value of raw dog ood. Increasingly, we are asked by veterinary professionals news to raw feeding whether our food meets
EDIAF guidelines.
HONEY’S AND FEDIAF
n fact, we are in the process of analysing our food to see if it does meet FEDIAF guidelines. We have only just tarted (we have 14 recipes to test) and we will probably analyse it more than once because our food varies so much from batch to batch being seasonal and also because we use different parts of the animal. However, the nitial results are excellent. In one or two areas we may be slightly over or under but a Honey’s fed dog - for what
t is worth - will be FEDIAF compliant!
ncidentally, we have also started a programme of health checks for our dogs including bloods, urine, faeces nd – we anticipate – tissue. We’ll be publishing all our research results in due course.
A WORK IN PROGRESS
Any raw feeding guidelines we produce are going to be a work in progress, because research will be ongoing. ut that doesn’t mean they won’t be of immense value to veterinary professionals, other food producers and - of course - dog lovers. Incidentally, our proposed guidelines will be completely independent. Also, if an ppropriate organisation decides to take on the same task we will happily join forces. Our primary goal is the
ealth and welfare of dogs.
ALL RAW FOOD DIETS ARE NOT EQUAL
We would like to take this opportunity to remind you that not all raw food diets are equal. Meat and bone from ntensively reared animals is proven to have lower nutritional value that that of free range and/or organic and/or
wild animals. Moreover, it is likely to contain high levels of antibiotics, toxins and other drugs.
THANK YOU
inally, we would like to thank all the members of the Association for their continued support. Please contact us f there is ever anything we can do to assist you. And please do let us know if you are interested in becoming nvolved with the creation of raw feeding guidelines for dogs.
Very warmest regards,
Vicky (Marshall) and Jonathan (Self)