Frequently Asked Questions with Answers

Q: Why is Artisan Handmade Food healthier than the commercial kibble or canned food?

A: Commercial pet food is highly processed and the biological value of the protein is reduced. The amino acid that is specifically affected and reduced is Lysine. This amino acid is important for healthy immunity and for improved appetite. A complete and balanced handmade food is superior due to a better quality of fresh ingredients, healthy preparation method and better utilisation of nutrients.

Q: Why don't you have meals prepared with beef, lamb or pork?

A: Beef is confirmed number one allergen for dogs and cats. Beef, lamb and pork are rich in sulphur containing amino acids and this results in production of high levels of toxic ammonia that can be detrimental for cells in the body. Red meat (beef, pork and lamb) consumption carries greater risk of developing diseases like cancer, IBD, pancreatic problems etc.

Q: What information do you need to create custom-made meals for dogs and cats?

A: For us to develop our custom made meals for pets with health conditions, we would need details like age, ideal body weight, food preference or allergies to food. We may require veterinary health reports with the latest test results completed.

Q: Can dogs and cats be fed with a human diet?

A: Dogs and cats can be fed with fresh human-grade meals, if these are expertly formulated meals. Feeding your dog or cat a human diet that is not formulated by an expert in the field of Veterinary medicine and animal nutrition, may result in malnourishment and future pain for the dog or cat being fed inadequate nutrients. 

Obtaining veterinary nutritionist advice is also recommended by leading veterinary researchers.

“...When owners prefer to cook for their dogs, it is best to get professionally formulated recipes to adapt their owners’ meals to their dog’s requirements. It is a high risk for your dog’s health if you prepare their Home-made food according to your or other owners’ well-intentioned recipes, which are in almost every case under or over supplemented”. Research- (Donoghue and Kronfeld, 1994). In many instances ingredients that are toxic for your dog are used.

Q: I heard carbohydrates are unhealthy for dogs, is this true?

A: Carbohydrates are necessary for pregnant dogs because developing puppies need them for their proper and healthy development. For adult dogs, carbohydrate sources are also a good source of energy, prebiotics, fibre, vitamins, and antioxidants. They are one of the three sources of energy that the body can use and are important to balance meals. 

The other two sources of energy are protein and fat. It is not recommended to give high fat diets, unless your dog is a sledge dog and loses enormous amounts of energy on a daily basis with such exercises. High fat in a diet can cause pancreatitis and accumulate in the liver, plus cause obesity and diabetes. 

The other source of energy are proteins. They are rich in phosphorus and can cause imbalance in the body and health problems if given in very high levels. Urine acidity, high phosphorus and high levels of amino acids are overloading and pushing kidneys to work harder, which is harmful for kidneys. High phosphorus and low ratio of calcium to phosphorus levels can cause nutritional hyperparathyroidism, meaning that calcium is being pulled / leached from the bones. High methionine can be cancerogenic. To create balanced diets, carbohydrates are necessary in dog food. 

Q: What health issues in dogs and cats does Vet Nutritionist Clinic have experience in creating custom-made meals for?

A: We are the only vet nutritionist formulated meals on the market available today that can be used daily for the conditions set out below: 

1. Liver Shunts and Liver Insufficiency

2. Ulcerative Colitis and IBD

3. Intestinal and skin allergies, no allergen, elimination diet

4. Chronic kidney disease

5. Heart Problems

6. Urinary stones/crystals formed in acidic urine 

7. Certain health conditions that require Keto diets

8. Certain health condition that require plant-based diets

Have a question we haven't answered yet? Please email us your question and we will add it to our list of FAQ!