A Guide to Making the Best Food Choices for Your Dog and Cat - Part 2

Nutrition is defined as the process of consuming, absorbing, and using nutrients from food that is necessary for growth, development, and maintenance of life. In my July 15, 2026 podcast, I provided information about what must be included in the meals we provide for our pets in order for them to survive. I like to go a step further and add food that is nutritionally more beneficial to their diet so they can not only survive but thrive and live a happy and healthy life. Of course, hereditary and environmental factors can influence the expression of diseases. However, I believe healthy nutrition can stunt and even suppress the onset of these diseases. In part one, I focused on the four main components humans, dogs and cats need to sustain life: protein, carbs, fat, water, vitamins and minerals. If the quality or quantity of any one of these components is substandard, health issues can arise. In this episode, I will explain how this leads to an inflammatory response, which leads to an imbalance in your immune system. I will also guide you through a process you can follow in order to make the best food choices for your dogs and cats.Over 15 years ago, I had several appointments with Dr. Debbie Decker, a holistic vet in Westlake, Ohio, to give me professional advice on what to feed my cats. As I mentioned in part one, it was because of my cats that I started to look into finding out if it was the food that was making them vomit so often. I also started to follow a nationally renown holistic vet, Dr. Karen Becker. She has a website with frequent articles about animals - focusing especially on cats and dogs. She wrote a book which I recommend, “ REAL FOOD For Healthy Dogs & Cats”. It fine-tunes the amounts of protein, organ meat and supplements needed to prepare a balanced homemade diet for your cat or dog. I chose to embark on the journey of making my own cat food with the help of Dr. Debbie Decker because of all of the symptoms they were experiencing. Making your own food isn’t something you can just guess and make up as you go. Your pets have certain nutritional requirements that must be met or else metabolic issues can arise that can turn disastrous. Dogs have different requirements than cats. It is important to work with a vet who can best advise you on what and how much to feed your pet. I have simply outlined what has worked for my cats and dog, but your cat or dog may have specific health issues that require additional food groups and supplements. I remember making the switch from processed dry food, or kibble, to homemade food for my cats. I felt overwhelmed to the point where I almost gave up. I knew if I gave up, I would most likely have to deal with all the puke again! That was a big motivator for me to continue the transition. Another driving force to make the switch was learning that I can control the quality of meat I purchase that will be fed to my pets. When you purchase any kibble, unless it is labeled as “human grade”, the meat used is generally sourced from animals or animal parts that have been deemed unsuitable for human consumption under USDA regulations. A disclaimer reminder - I am not a veterinarian or a nutritionist. The information below is a result of my research and experience transitioning my cats and dogs to a more balanced, species appropriate diet.Let’s begin!In part one, I ended the episode describing the importance of healthy fatty acids. I mentioned that in order to preserve the integrity of the fats, proper storage is critical. Oxidation occurs when food substances are exposed to oxygen. For example, bananas oxidize as they ripen. When you cut into a banana, the end exposed to the air will turn brown. It actually has a different taste to it. Oxidation in pet foods causes:* the quality of nutrients to degrade* the foods with fatty acids to become rancid - can produce a distinct foul smell* the development of molds and mycotoxins - dogs can pick up on the scent of molds that we cannot see or smell and may refuse their food* insect infestations which can cause allergic reactions Mixed tocopherols are added by pet food manufacturers to slow down the oxidation process. They are a natural form of Vitamin E. Natural tocopherols are safe and beneficial to your pet. Whereas chemical preservatives like BHA and BHT are artificial. You will see tocopherols, BHA and BHT as an ingredient on the bag or box of food for your pet. As I stated before, I prefer to provide food that doesn’t have either one of these preservatives. Solutions to avoiding oxidation in pet food* Store food in its original bag off the floor and inside an airtight container* Store food for only 2-3 weeks* Store the remainder in freezer bags in your freezer* Look for a “Best Before” date on the