Ever wonder what it would be like to eat the same meal everyday? Of course not! That sounds awful! So, why then, would you feed your pets the same thing so often? There's no wonder our four-legged kids are begging in the kitchen when fresh aromas are wafting. They want some of the good stuff, too!
Here at EarthWise Pet, we believe that food is a form of love and that you are what you eat. This goes for humans, dogs and cats. Just like humans require a diverse diet of fruits, vegetables, and proteins to stay healthy, our pets need the same to thrive.
Mixoloy - Our Fresh Food Philosophy
Incorporating freshness into your pets' diets is crucial. Different foods offer varying degrees of freshness, which can be gauged by their moisture content and their ability to retain raw nutrients.
In the wild, animals instinctively balance their nutrition by eating a variety of foods they catch, ensuring they are neither overexposed or underexposed to any single nutrient. However, when we provide our pets with the same food continuously, we risk creating imbalances in their diet. Pets that eat the same food day after day without experiencing a varied diet may develop any number of health issues, such as allergies, arthritis, and digestive problems.
Let’s face it. No one wants to eat the same thing every day. If you did, just imagine how bored your taste buds would be and how sluggish your body would feel due to a lack of balanced nutrients. So do your fur baby a favor and mix it up!
What is Mixology?
Mixology is a superior approach to feeding your pets by rotating various proteins, nutrients, and types of foods. Mixology encourages rotational feeding and incorporating freshness into your pet’s diet.
With Mixology, you can...
- Put your pets on a path to optimal health
- Keep them interested in mealtime
- Provide attractive options for even the pickiest of eaters
- Help your fur babies live happier, healthier lives
If your pet currently eats only kibble, we recommend a gradual transition to a fresher diet. Start by gradually introducing a little goat's milk or broth to each meal. From there, you can start to mix in a little canned or freeze-dried food to add moisture and a larger variety of proteins. You don’t need to switch entirely to raw or fresh food — adding a bit of fresh food over time can make a positive difference.
Or read on to learn more about why it's important to rotate foods for a more balanced diet.
Ready to introduce some fresh foods to your pet's diet? Click the link below to check out some of our favorite options for cats and dogs.
Or read on to learn more about why it's important to rotate foods for a more balanced diet.
The Art of Food Energetics
Food energetics is an age-old philosophy that suggests foods have cooling, warming, or neutral properties that influence your pet’s health and well-being. By choosing the right foods, you can help balance your pet’s body temperature and support their overall wellness.
Another way to mix it up is to adjust your pet's diet according to the seasons: offer cooling proteins in the summer and warming proteins during the winter months. Varying proteins fits right in with the Mixology philosophy.
The Benefits of Mixology
Here's just a few reasons why your cat or dog will thank you for mixing it up:
- Minimizes allergies and reduces the risk of food sensitivities
- Increases energy, vitality and overall health of your pet
- Improves skin, coat, and vision
- Maintain a strong immune system
- New flavors and textures keeps even picky eaters engaged
- Fresher foods mean more moisture, which is optimal for organ function, overall health, and longevity
Ready to Mix-ology It Up?
Start by thinking about what new food types and proteins you want to include in your pet’s rotational feeding. Is your ultimate goal to make the leap from kibble to freeze-dried and/or raw? Or do you want to introduce a few new types of food with kibble and see how it goes? Maybe a good place to start is adding some canned/wet food or broth to your pet’s current kibble?
Here's a few ideas for how you can start mixing it up:
- Rotate or even mix different proteins.
- Toss in a few fresh veggies or fruit.
- Add canned food or a raw/freeze-dried topper to introduce new flavors and textures, as well as hydrate your pet.
- Swap out a regular meal for a gently cooked meal pouch.
- Toss in some warm bone broth or goat milk for additional variety and hydration benefits.
- Feel free to toss in raw scraps and an occasional egg to add even more variety.
Whether you want to start simple with a few toppers or make the leap to raw, we have a full array of options to make the switch easy on you.
And remember, if you are adding new food sources to kibble, you'll want to adjust the kibble portion so you cat or dog isn't overeating. It's also best to transition to new foods gradually. Normally we recommend completing the transition over a 7-day period slowly changing out the old food type(s) for the new.
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This will help to reduce any potential digestive issues that may occur with a protein and/or food type change. If your pet has a sensitive stomach or if you’re switching to grain-free food, consider extending the transition period over several weeks.
You might also want to consider adding a digestive supplements such as pumpkin or probiotics to your pet’s meal during the transition.
Confused? Not Sure Where to Start?
Whew! We'll be the first to admit that this is a lot of information. And we know you want nothing but the best for your fur babies. So our best piece of advice is to trust your gut and choose the feeding transition path that feels right for both you and your pet.
If you have questions about your pet’s nutrition, just ask! We are happy to help you figure out what’s best for you and your pets. You can always speak with one of our Certified Pet Nutritionists at no cost to you and be confident that our recommendations are scientifically backed and based on the latest pet nutrition research and information.
Our natural pet food offerings are vetted extensively and all food products that we select for the store are meat-based and free of corn, wheat, soy and by-products. Our goal is to help you identify the most biologically appropriate foods for your pet. By transitioning to a more biologically appropriate diet, you take a proactive step toward enhancing your pet's vitality, overall health, and longevity.
Whether you are dealing with a new puppy or kitten, a senior citizen, picky-Pete, a pet suffering from sensitivities or your happy family fur-kid, let our pack help educate and guide you through your pet diet choices.