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Natural Awakenings Dallas -Fort Worth Metroplex Edition

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Holistic Vet Recommends Organic Pet Food

Dr. Shawn Messonnier, owner of Paws & Claws Holistic Animal Hospital, in Plano, offers a unique approach to all aspects of pet care, including preventive and treatment of diseases. He states, “Using a natural approach to restore the proper balance and function of your pet’s body can help them live longer and stay healthier.” Wellness exams should include blood testing for proper organ function and early cancer diagnosis, plus titer testing to replace unnecessary vaccines.

Messonnier explains, “As a holistic/functional medicine doctor, one of the most important discussions I have with pet owners concerns what to feed the pet. Diet is such an important, but often overlooked aspect of health care. Food can determine health or illness. In times of illness, looking at the diet is of utmost importance. A poor diet can cause illness, complicate illness, and prevent the attainment of true health.”

He advises, “You should feed your pet the healthiest diet they will eat and is easy for you to feed and which fits into your budget. Ideally, I would like pet owners to feed their pets the most natural, ideally organic, food possible. Raw or cooked, processed or homemade doesn’t matter that much to me. Sure, the less processing and the closer to the natural diet the better, but in the end, we live in the real world.”

Messonnier encourage owners to avoid the typical store-bought, highly advertised national brands because they are usually full of less-healthy ingredients such as animal and plant byproducts. “If you can’t pronounce it, it probably isn’t the best thing to feed the pet. And if you won’t eat it, why in the world should your pet eat it?” he asks.

To avoid genetically modified foods, which are often loaded with pesticides and other chemicals and which may contribute to health issues including cancers, he looks for organic proteins that do not contain added hormones and antibiotics.

Pets with allergies and food sensitivities can also benefit from eliminating allergenic ingredients. “To determine if certain foods should be eliminated from the diet so that you’re feeding the best diet, a simple blood profile can guide the doctor in prescribing the most appropriate diet,” declares Messonnier. “I believe all diets can greatly benefit from supplementation. Which supplements are needed depend upon your pet’s specific needs, and blood tests can help determine this. General supplements that benefit all pets include enzymes and probiotics, omega-3 fatty acids and a health maintenance formula. In my experience, pets eating the best diet with the correct supplementation tend to live longer and healthier lives and rarely suffer from chronic immune disorders such as cancer. Coupled with detoxification and saying no to unnecessary drugs, chemicals and vaccines, feeding a healthy diet will keep your pet happy and healthy for many years!”

 

Paws & Claws Holistic Animal Hospital is located at 2145 W. Park, in Plano. For more information, call 972-867-8800 or visit PawsAndClawsAnimalHospital.com.