For the course of human civilization, foods, vegetation, herbs, have been used
medicinally to treat a plethora of ailments. To this day, we still depend on aspirin which
was originally derived from willow bark and now is produced in a synthetic form. For
those who prefer to get their selenium from Brazil nuts, their iodine from seaweed and
their arthritis relief from the root of the turmeric plant, then this blog is for you, because
you can do the same thing with your cats and dogs. 

Here’s a list of whole food sources that can offer a multitude of benefits: 

Frozen or Freeze-dried raw poultry necks 

  •  The neck bones are not as dense as beef bones and can be consumed in their
     entirety.
  • They serve as an excellent toothbrush and offer a natural option for teeth
    cleaning. And more fun for both dogs and humans.
  • The neck is rich in protein, low in fat, high in chondroitin and glucosamine for hip
    and joint health.
  • Chewing is a great mental and physical activity for a dog, so you are stimulating
    their minds while caring for their bodies.

Beef Tracheas 

Whether given raw, freeze-dried, or smoked, tracheas offer the same benefits of
poultry necks, in a different package. They are low in fat, high in protein, are a
100% natural protein, and are environmentally sustainable, as humans rarely
consume this ‘throw away’ organ. 

  • Switching protein sources in your pets’ diet are good to ensure they are getting a
    wide range of vitamins, minerals, and enzymes in their diet.
  • Tracheas give a similar chewing experience to rawhide but are fully digestible
    and the nutrients are readily bioavailable.
  • The tracheas high levels of chondroitin and glucosamine in beef trachea can
    benefit arthritis, strengthen hips, and improve joint health. These compounds
    keep cartilage healthy through joint lubrication, which is especially important for
    senior pets.
  • The unique ridges of the trachea also act as nature’s toothbrush and promote
    clean teeth and healthy gums.

Pumpkin  

Pumpkin contains high amounts of important vitamins and minerals such as A, C, E,
iron, an potassium. 

Pumpkin is high in fiber so is great to support your pets digestive health in several ways.
The fiber adds bulk to your animals’ stool by absorbing water, which can assist in
reducing mild cases of diarrhea or stomach upset. 

The fiber fermentation process produces beneficial fatty acids that supply energy to
cells as well as stimulate intestinal sodium and water absorption – which can positively
contribute to the pH level of the large intestines.  

So, that is it for our first installment, but there are so many more super foods to talk
about so please watch for future segments, and in the meantime, remember – a trachea
a day can keep the doctor away!