Georgia Mountain Beacon

Guest column by Bette Sherman

I’m sleeping in a king size bed. I am the only human. You would think there would be more than enough room for me to sleep sprawled. You would think . . . but I have sixteen inches. As most of you who know me know that sixteen inches isn’t going to accommodate my body. Have you any idea what is taking up the rest of this king size bed? Yep, a number of those furry creatures; a hefty Golden Retriever, a portly black Lab, a pudgy Beagle and one cat who visits only when I am prone. There is another Golden, but she won’t sleep on the bed. She likes to lie in the doorway and dare anyone to cross her. Then she looks at me with those, dark liquid eyes with all the innocents of a newborn babe.

Did you ever wonder what dogs and cats ate between the time they were domesticated and the time pet food came in a bog? We have been feeding kibbles for only a relatively short period of time. I believe pet kibbles were available after WWII and the industry’s PR managed to convince everyone – including the veterinarians that their product was the best way to feed pets. It certainly has become the standard. I rate pet food in a bag right along with McDonalds.

When I was growing up pets ate what we ate. They ate scraps and leftovers. Humans and pets ate better before processed foods came along.

Now we have bad breath and all sorts of dental products to clean their teeth. We have obese pets, diabetic pets, urinary infections, heart problems – all the problems humans have that can be traced back to diet.

Talk to anyone who feeds a raw diet and look at the pet’s teeth – white and free of brown residue. Ask about the scat; there is less residue and it quickly disintegrates. The teeth and gums of kibble fed pets are frequently less than healthy and unless someone is scooping poop, there are land mines all over the yard.

Nature took care of tartar and plaque with a natural diet. They ate raw and they chewed bones – real bones.

I have to admit that when I first became acquainted with raw feeding I was put off. It really disgusted me, but the more I read and the more I witness, the more I have become a believer.

You don’t have to feed 100% raw. First, your pets might not know what to do with raw food so you have to transition. Buy a package of chicken necks and outside on a nice day give one to your dog. Don’t worry about the bones. Uncooked bones are no problem for a dog’s digestive tract. Cooked chicken bones will splinter – uncooked just crunch. (Do this when they are hungry. If they aren’t hungry, they will probably take it out and bury it.)

BTW – canned wet dog food was available and I don’t know why I remember this jingle from the radio. Thrive-O was a brand and they sponsored some radio program – like Whiz Kids.

I feed my doggie Thrive-O
He’s very much alive-O
Full of vip and vim
If you want a peppy pup
You’d better hurry up
Fed Thriv-O to him

Bette Sherman is a favorite of the Georgia Mountain Beacon and is a regular contributor. She is retired and is a pet-sitter who loves to write.

Tags: Bette Sherman, Guest Column