When was the last time you heard of, or saw a wild dog or cat hunting for a loaf of bread?!

As funny as that question sounds, millions of dogs and cats today eat a dry (kibble) commercial pet food loaded with grains such as wheat, wheat gluten, corn and rice to name a few.

Science has proven that the optimal diet for our dogs & cats should closely resemble their natural diet in the wild. In fact their bodies are designed to thrive on a meat-based diet and none of the filler ingredients that the pet food industry is required to use in their formulations in order for the kibble to hold its shape (an average of 50% grains).

Dr. Russell Swift, at the recent American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association Conference, discovered that he was not the only one questioning the use of grains in commercial and home-prepared pet foods. Grains, such as oats, wheat, rice, barley, corn, etc., are composed mostly of complex carbohydrates. In truth, highly processed grain based diets may cause illness over time. Too much grain promotes excess insulin production, making it hard for the body to maintain its correct weight, thus creating an epidemic of overweight and diabetic pets.

The answer is simple: cheap calories. Grains are the least expensive part of pet food and can fill the animal quickly.

More recently, in response to the studies done on the ill effects of grain based diets, a new crop of dry but "grain-free" diets have been introduced into the pet food market.

However, these so called "grain-free" dry diets still contain carbohydrates from sources such as potato or tapioca, since the starch in these ingredients is needed to allow the kibble to form. Yet we know that dogs and cats don't have any metabolic need for carbohydrates. Dr. Thomas Lonsdale states that "while humans require some carbohydrates for energy and endurance, carnivores need fats - both animal and plant, for creating glucose and developing stamina."

The fact remains that the very best nutrition for our companion animals is likely to closely resemble the ancestral dog's and cat's natural diet: grain-free food that won't overwhelm their digestive system and cause allergies or obesity. Only then can they reach their optimal energy and weight levels to lead an active and healthy life.