Tonya Christiansen is a certified pet food nutrition specialist and she joins us on this episode of the pawdcast to help bring clarity to the subject of feeding our pets.

What should we be feeding our pets?

Tonya recommends a fresh raw food diet. One of the main reasons she recommends raw is because of the moisture it provides for your pets. "Dogs and cats need about 80% moisture in their diets," according to Tonya. "Kibble diets do not provide adequate moisture and the only time our pets drink from their water bowls is when they are thirsty."

Why are synthetic vitamins bad for dogs and cats?

Synthetic vitamins are not always as bioavailable as natural vitamins.

What can be done to optimize a kibble-based diet?

"If you can't afford a raw food diet...the important thing is to do the best you can." Tonya said the simplest thing to do is add moisture to kibble in the form of bone broth or goats milk. It helps the body remove toxins.

Sustainably sourced krill oil is a healthy option for Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids.

Add fresh foods whenever possible. Organic spinach, organic kale, and organic broccoli are great fresh food options to add. Tonya recommends putting these in the food processor.

Can you talk about what all of the information on the side of the food bags mean?

When looking at ingredients, make sure that meat is a large component of the food. However, even if a meat is listed first, it can be deceptive. Remember, that ingredients are listed in order of their weight from greatest to least. So even though meat might be listed first, it doesn't necessarily make up as much of the food as you would expect after all of the moisture from the meat is removed to make the kibble.

Ingredient splitting is another way to mislead consumers about what is in the food. Tonya points out that peas could be split into three individual ingredients in order to make it look like there is less of a particular ingredient in a food.

The salt divide is another area pet owners should be aware of. At the point in the ingredients list where salt appears, anything listed after salt comprises less than 1% of the ingredients.

Tonya points out that foods that highlight fresh fruits and vegetables in their labeling might actually contain less than 1% of the recipe.

There's so many choices when it comes to kibble. How many of these different stages are necessary?

Most of the stages are not necessary. It's usually marketing.

Puppies do not necessarily need "puppy food." In fact, an "all stages" food supplemented with omega-3s and omega-6s would be beneficial to puppies.

"Weight control" food isn't always a good idea. If you're concerned about your dog's weight, then feed them less. They need fewer calories and more exercise. A weight control diet isn't always the best answer.

"There is no one perfect food for all dogs," said Tonya. "That's why supplementation is beneficial."

How important is a balanced diet?

"A balanced diet is important," Tonya said. "There are a lot of resources that can help you feed a balanced diet."

Rotation is very important with either kibble or raw diets. "We eat different meals each day and we don't get all of our vitamins and minerals in one meal or one day," Tonya explained. "We might get everything we need in the course of a week. And it's the same way with our dogs."

"Don't let perfection stand in the way of progress."

Why is chicken and rice so bad?

Chicken and rice might be a good choice when overcoming an upset stomach and for a few days at most. The reason it is often recommended is because it is bland and easy to digest. But it isn't anywhere close to being a balanced diet.

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What tips do you have for transitioning from a kibble to raw food diet?

Start out by feeding raw snacks.

"Let poop be thy guide," Tonya said with a chuckle. "If the stool is too runny, take a step back. And if it's firm, keep moving forward."

As you increase your raw portions, decrease your kibble portions until you replace one meal with a complete raw meal.

Fermented raw goats milk helps with transitioning because it adds digestive enzymes and probiotics.

What are the best treats to give and the ones pet owners should avoid?

Avoid bright red treats that look like steaks or bacon strips because these usually are made of high fructose corn syrup and red number 4. These treats are usually all sugar. That's why dogs love them.

The best treats are meat treats. Freeze dried minnows are a great option for cats. But any single ingredient meat treats are great.

What advice do you have to help pet owners to manage their pet's weight?

"Food is love," Tonya said while referencing the Italian mother figure who loves her family by feeding them.

Everyone in the family has to be on the same page if weight control is your primary goal.

"The more obese they are, the shorter their lives are and we don't want that."

Cut back on food or feed multiple small meals throughout the day. And more exercise.

How often and how much should pets be fed?

How often is a personal preference. Twice a day is optimal to avoid a sour stomach or vomiting overnight.

Puppies may require three times a day.

Free feeding isn't ideal because it doesn't give a true picture about your dog's eating habits. When an animal isn't feeling well, the first thing you should notice is a change in appetite. So focus on feeding your pets meals at specific times during the day so it will be easier to notice a change in appetite right away.

To determine how much to feed, observe the feeding guideline on the food label. Feed for the weight your dog should be not the weight that he currently is. It's all trial and error.

When feeding raw, feed 2-3% of your dog's ideal body weight.

How can people get in touch with you to learn more?

If you have questions about raw feeding, you can reach Tonya by email at [email protected].

She's also online at Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

Email us at [email protected] to let us know what you thought of this show.