The skin is a mirror - reasons to read ingredient labels

For many skin & behavioural issues, diet can play a vital role so we always recommend a review of food ingredients in case they may be responsible (e.g. molasses, mould inhibitors, preservatives, rice, cereals, soya, starch, flavourings, haylage etc.,). It's another reason that Probiotics can play an very important role... to help calm the digestive system & thus support the immune system response.

Horse Feeds *
For all horses but especially for Summer Itching & animals who seem unable to recover from ill-health, we very strongly recommend your animal's diet completely excludes molasses, mould inhibitors, cereals (including wheatfeed, straw chaff & fillers), soya, preservatives, flavourings, and that starch levels are at a minimum. Look carefully at labels (or ring the manufacturers) as when they state "no grain" & "cereal grain free" sadly they normally still do include wheat chaff/straw and/or wheatfeed... which we feel is very misleading marketing! Where they state 'oil' make enquiries as sadly it's usually the cheap soya with all it's downsides rather than say linseed oil which is much more beneficial but more expensive for them to include. 

If you struggle to find feeds that fit this criteria (or cannot find labels on your current feeds that confirm they are without them), my research indicates Simple System feeds www.simplesystem.co.uk are an extremely wise choice (I have no financial connection). Click here for an overview article on its benefits to all horses, irrespective of their level of work. A feeding program without the 'problem ingredients' will offer your horses a diet about as close as one can get to their ideal, which in turn should increase their ability to self-heal & bounce back from health-knocks, whilst frequently reducing their owners' feed & vet bills! Please mention us when you call them on 01728 604008.

Pet Feeds *
See the Winter 09 Newsletter (click here) for our most recent worries about rice for pets or see the Testimonials section...

As with horse feeds, the average ingredients list on easily available products can be pretty scary. With more & more of our pets suffering from discomfort (constant scratching, ear issues, runny eyes, chewing feet, upset tummies etc.,), it can often indicate that the body is struggling to cope with something it is eating (frequently rice, cereals, soya, brewer's yeast, chemical preservatives/flavours (often EU approved!), BHT, BHA...). The BARF (raw feed) diet (see below for full details) is undoubtedly best... but some of us may find this difficult to follow. 

Having looked into many products, the following offer you easily available & affordable options instead of BARF, that are guaranteed free of rice, cereals, soya, chemicals... just be sure you don't accidentally buy say a fish & rice instead of a fish & vegetable as the rice one will almost certainly be positioned for easier picking....!  Thankfully increasing numbers of manufacturers are now omitting rice...so do your own research as this will never be fully up to date, but more of a guide.

Outside of BARF, we suggest feeding a 60/40 or 50/50 mix of tinned/fresh versus dry feed rather than 100% dry, therefore, try wet/tinned/fresh in the morning & dry/complete in the evening.  By feeding 100% dry it can stress the body because animals must drink a lot more than Mother Nature intended so certain body parts have much more 'wear & tear' by processing the increased intake.  But frequently animals do not drink more...which also stresses the body as it needs to pull 'moisture' from it's own self which the body actually needs elsewhere.  Feeds will always be a 'murky' world but we hope the following is useful & a starter from which you can do your own research. The webs tell you the closest stockists or you can order samples or products directly.

• Wet/Tinned
• Pilchards or Sardines in spring water or brine (not in oil or tomato sauce)
Available at most Supermarkets including Asda.  Naturally very rich in Omega 3 which is excellent for skin issues, good for fussy eaters, sensitive tummies & the elderly/stiff. They may make the breath smell but a small price to pay for their benefits! Drain off brine before feeding. Feed alone or with plain mixer biscuits (not complete food) as part of your 'wet feed' selection.

Click here to see some tables showing what's rich in OM3 & OM6 & what to use to help boost your natural OM3 intake.

• Butchers Tinned Tripe or Tripe with Chicken only - not the other tins (no soya, cereals, rice)  Available nearly everywhere including supermarkets & corner stores. www.butcherspetcare.com

• Gelert Country Choice Tinned Tripe Mix (no soya, cereals, rice)  Minimum 30% tripe.  400g tin RRP just 49p (12/09)  www.gelert-petnutrition.co.uk  01559 384216

• Denes Tinned Turkey & Tripe (no soya, cereals, rice) www.denes.com 01273 325364

• BARF style

• Natural Instinct - the Natural & Pure Range 
A brilliant collection of truly natural feeds following the 'BARF' principle;  available mail order.  Ranges from 80% raw meat with 20% raw fruit & vegetables to 100% meat or meat & bone.  Featured on TV at Crufts 2010.  www.naturalinstinct.com  01276 608500

• Natures Menu "Banquet Nuggets" - ready-to-eat & frozen raw meat/vegetables
Helping to make the BARF diet easy!  Available in all good pet stores/pet supermarkets & in small quantities..
Be sure to only have "Banquet Nuggets" which are 100% meat/veg' with Chicken (32%), Tripe (28%), Lamb(14%), Peas (10%), Carrots (10%), Heart (3%), Liver (3%). Others in this range include rice/cereals so are not on our list. 
www.naturesmenu.co.uk 01953 883770 Click here for a very interesting dog feeds fact sheet.

• Prize Choice - frozen raw meats (minced & chunked)
So you can prepare home made foods with the knowledge that the ingredients are free from chemicals, additives, preservatives, fillers, cereals & colourings. Available at pet stores/pet supermarkets. www.prizechoice.co.uk

• Complete/Dried
• Fish & Vegetable or Turkey & Vegetable Complete feed from James Wellbeloved - currently it is only these two bags...not the rest of their range! (no soya, cereals, rice, brewer's yeast)
A surprisingly 'simple but excellent' feed!; they do a Lamb/Vegetable one too but many dogs find red meats difficult so if in doubt, try the Fish or Turkey ones first. www.wellbeloved.com 01963 353 008

• Salmon & Potato Complete feed from Wafcol (no soya, cereals, rice, yeast) - it is only this bag not their other ranges
www.wafcol.co.uk 0870 906 8090  

• Vitalin Adult - Chicken & Potato Complete feed (no soya, cereals, rice) - it is only this bag not their other ranges
Hypoallergenic & gluten-free. Members of PETA (not tested on Animals)  www.vitalinpetfood.co.uk 01765 605156

• Orijen Adult 6 Fish + Vegetable (no soya, cereals, rice, brewer's yeast)
Available online and at certain outlets. 

• Fish4Dogs Complete feed
Available in normal kibble, small bite & puppy ranges - just fish & potato base (very tasty but does contain brewer's yeast). www.fish4dogs.com 01299 252352

• Arden Grange Ocean Fish & Potato Complete feed (does contain brewer's yeast) - it is only this bag not their other ranges
www.ardengrange.com 01273 833390

Other Resources

• Pets - What the Feed Companies don't tell you..
A fascinating website by Catherine O'Driscoll.

• BARF/R.A.W. Dr Ian Billinghurst
The benefits of feeding biologically appropriate raw food (BARF) for restoring animal wellness (R.A.W) - see www.barfaustralia.com The web explains the ethos behind this pioneering Vet although his book "Give the dog a Bone" is a global best seller on how to follow this feeding regime Frozen BARF feeds are available at many pet shops in the UK... but be sure to ensure they exclude rice, cereals etc. as many do have them in the 'small print'! Click here for a very interesting dog feeds fact sheet.

• The Pet File
A lovely web community within which to share ideas, give homes to abandoned' souls, discuss diets, find pet-friendly holidays++

• Cornwall Alpaca & Llama Group
Health issues, animal husbandry, current threats, helpful guidance - it's the place to go for information.  Forum & online group that's open to members in any location around the world.  For further details Click here

* Important Notes:
• Any blacked out words with [bracketed] text has been amended to meet VMD/Vet Med criteria.  All text is Veterinary Medicines Directorarte (VMD) compliant.  Click here for what that means to you.
• Any foods/brands identified are intended as a guide only.