Everyday should be International Pet’s day: #TheRawTruth : Unlocking the Secret to Optimal Human Health
Welcome to #FixTheWorld or #GiveUp newsletter no.52
I'm Gareth Wong and hope you take time to read this post, especially if you are a pet owner. Let's FixTheWorld.4Good.Space
I understand that delving into topics like these can sometimes feel as contentious as discussing religion or politics, and many shy away from such conversations. However, I believe it's crucial to share insights drawn from personal experiences, even if they stem from a modest sample size, much like the litter mates of our first brood.
When I took a closer look at the true cost per kilogram of meat in even the highest-quality wet pet foods, I was taken aback. Combined with what I read and hear about all typical & seemingly unavoidable health issues of cats, I had to look for preventative actions.
I'm sharing what we learnt in the past 5/6years of RAW food diet on our pedigree Ragdoll cats.
The solution became clear: sourcing whole ducks or chickens and personally handling the butchering process. This ensures our cherished feline companions receive the finest cuts, while I maintain control over the product's quality. By avoiding ground-down products, we also gain the ability to easily monitor freshness and spoilage—a necessity when dealing with discerning eaters like our cats!
Yet, beyond the realm of pet care lies a broader revelation. I came to realise that the dedication I poured into ensuring the health and well-being of my cats mirrored a newfound commitment to my family's nourishment and fitness (yup we were addicted to KFC/McDonalds/Takeaways/Readymeals etc). Why should we settle for less when it comes to our own sustenance and vitality?
In this post, I aim to shed light on the notion that some may balk at the idea of investing similar effort into their own dietary habits and lifestyle choices. However, through my exploration of providing optimal nutrition for our pets, I stumbled upon a path toward holistic well-being for us all. It's a journey that advocates for quality over convenience, for mindful consumption over blind acceptance.
As we contemplate the care we extend to our beloved animal companions, let us also reflect on the care we owe ourselves and our loved ones. After all, shouldn't we, as human "pets," demand nothing less than the best? Let's embark on this journey together, armed with compassion, insight, and the unwavering belief that we deserve nothing short of excellence.
TLDR: While observing the remarkable health benefits my cats experienced on a raw meat-based diet, I was inspired to reevaluate my own approach to nutrition and wellbeing. Rather than adopting a raw diet myself, I focused on incorporating more whole, unprocessed foods, intermittent fasting, and targeted movement into my lifestyle - principles that align with the cats' natural eating and activity patterns. By exploring these complementary strategies concurrently, I was able to achieve transformative improvements in my energy, digestion, and overall sense of wellbeing, all while providing my feline companions the nourishment they thrive on. This article outlines the key lessons I learned and provides actionable steps for readers to apply these insights to their own lives.
Key Points:
The lifetime cost of owning 2 cats can reach up to £50,000, with the biggest expenses being quality food and insurance.
Feeding my cats a raw meat-based diet solved various health issues, including urinary tract infections, dental/gum disease, and obesity. It also enabled my pedigree queen to have a larger, healthier litter.
While I couldn't adopt a raw diet myself, I was inspired to incorporate more whole, unprocessed foods into my meals, focusing on fresh produce, lean proteins, and fermented items.
Observing my cats' natural eating patterns, where they would stop eating once full, prompted me to experiment with intermittent fasting, limiting my food intake to specific windows throughout the day (or fasting to maximise Autophagy).
I also prioritized regular movement and flexibility, mirroring the cats' calisthenics and stretching, to support my overall health and wellbeing.
The remarkable improvements in both my cats' and my own health have made me wary of relying solely on traditional medical advice, as many veterinarians and healthcare providers are incentivized to recommend commercial products that may not be in the best interest of the individual.
Appropriate Diet with quality food to #FixYourWorld
Everyday Should Be International Pet's Day: What My Cats Taught Me About Achieving Optimal Health
As the founder of the FixTheWorld.4Good.Space newsletter, I'm always on the lookout for inspiring stories and actionable insights that can empower our community to live healthier, more fulfilling lives. But little did I know that the key to unlocking my own path to wellness would come from an unexpected source: my beloved pedigree cats.
It all started when I welcomed our first feline companion into our home. I'll admit (growing up in council estate meant skiing and having pedigree pets were not in my radar at all!), I was a reluctant pet-parent (our household ran by empowered females), but in the end completely smitten - the regal bearing, the soft fur, the playful antics to demand our attentions. But as the initial excitement wore off, I quickly realized that caring for a cat was no small feat. In fact, the lifetime cost of owning just two cats can easily reach a staggering £50,000, thankfully we outsourced the other 4 litter mates!
The biggest expenses? Quality food and comprehensive insurance. Now, you might be thinking, "Wait, how can food and insurance cost that much?" Well, my friends, the sad truth is that most commercial pet food options are little more than glorified junk food, packed with cheap fillers and byproducts instead of the wholesome, meat-based nutrition our carnivorous companions crave.
https://www.forbes.com/advisor/pet-insurance/pet-insurance-statistics/
This could lead to health issues that invariably arrives thus it would be a necessity to buy Vet services and special type of 'therapeutic kibbles'!
#MustWatch video with Anna Hielm-Björkman on science of RAW feeding and why so much pushback from the pet food industry with Rachel Fusaro
And the health issues that can arise from a poor diet? Yikes. Recurring urinary tract infections, persistent dental and gum problems, and the dreaded battle of the bulge - it's enough to make any pet owner's head spin. But I was determined to find a better way, and that's when I stumbled upon the world of raw feeding. not to confuse with the strict ratio all ground down movement, but the type proposed by Tom Lonsdale his award winning book Pet Food Fraud, although I admit, I didn't follow him until recently but idea shared is similar to what I've been doing since 2018 for the Ragdoll Queen. But because of Dr. Tom's work, and my 5/6yrs personal experience, I now dare to tell you all about it, as I was not sure about the practicality and health benefits (don't forget there is no need to brush the pet's teeth!)
There is a UK parliament petition to investigate further, sadly not many people have signed, it is zero cost, why not signed and see what they find out!? https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/651425
Now, I know what you're thinking - "Raw food? Isn't that dangerous for cats?" But let me tell you, the transformation in my feline friends was nothing short of remarkable. Having had raw, meat-based diet from day one, they never needed to visit the Vets (except first vaccines). No need for expensive treatments, the Ragdoll boy's heart murmurs gone away.
And get this - when we decided to breed our pedigree queen of under 2years old, she produced a litter of five healthy kittens, a feat that's often a struggle for first-time moms.
As I watched my cats thrive on their raw diet, I couldn't help but wonder - if it was making such a difference for them, could I apply some of those principles to my own life? After all, the benefits of a whole-food, nutrient-dense diet are well-documented for humans, even if we can't (and shouldn't) adopt the same raw meat-based approach as our feline friends.
So, concurrently, I began incorporating more whole, unprocessed foods into my meals - think an abundance of fresh produce, good organic proteins (fat & lean), and fermented delights like kimchi and sauerkraut (& eat moderately). And just like my cats, I made a concerted effort to prioritize movement and flexibility, swapping out the couch for some good old-fashioned calisthenics and stretching. (will blog more about the ZenPandaForce movement to help eradicate NCD health crisis).
While it's common for human parents to spoil their kids with excessive snacks, similarly affectionate pet owners often find themselves indulging their furry companions in the same manner.
The concept of pampering both children and pets has evolved into the accepted norm, with the notion of 'treating' them becoming increasingly prevalent.
But one of the most profound lessons I learned from observing my cats' eating habits was the power of intermittent fasting. You see, my cats would only receive one main meal per day, with a small serving of tinned sardines in the morning. Yet, they were always vibrant, energetic, and visibly satisfied. They would stop eating the moment they felt full, never overeating or indulging in the mindless snacking that so often plagues us humans.
Inspired by their natural instincts, I decided to try different types of fasting patterns myself. I tried many (5:2, 8:16, one meal a day), where I would only consume food between certain days or hours, but in the end I wanted to maximise on autophagy so would do 3 to 5days fast monthly (to maximising on ketone & effect of autophagy). The difference has been astounding. My energy levels have improved (combined with exercises controlled my severe high blood pressure without medication), my digestion has never been better, and I've even noticed a boost in my mood and overall sense of well-being.
My commitment to my cats' health inadvertently revealed the path to optimal wellness for my entire family (maybe for you also!).
Now, I know what you're thinking - "Wow, Gareth, that's all well and good, but how can I replicate this in my own life?" Well, my fellow Worldfixers, let me share a few actionable steps (based on my personal experience and it is NOT medical advice, so please check with your own doctors/Vets):
Focus on whole, unprocessed foods. Incorporate more fresh produce (if bacteria don't want it, you should not also!), lean proteins, and fermented items into your meals. Avoid highly processed, packaged foods as much as possible. (e.g. go for oat milk, but make it yourself, avoid the added emulsifiers!)
Adopt an intermittent fasting approach (when you can). Take a cue from your furry friends and limit your food intake to a specific window of time each day (or at least have healthy snacks like fruits, nuts or eggs). Not only can this improve your metabolic health, but it can also free up mental bandwidth to focus on other important aspects of your wellbeing.
Move, move, move! Incorporate more movement and flexibility into your daily routine. Stretch, do some bodyweight exercises (Pull, push, jump, squats), or even try your hand at a new sport or activity. or if you dare, literally move like an animal. (animal flow exercise research)
Approach medical advice with a critical eye. While most healthcare providers have their patients' best interests at heart, the reality is that many also are incentivised to recommend commercial products or treatments that may not be in the best interest of the individuals/pets. Do your own research, consult with trusted experts, and make informed decisions that align with your (and your pets') wellbeing.
Now, I know what you're wondering - "But Gareth, what about the risks of raw feeding for my cats?" And you're right to be cautious. I certainly hope you already cook & prepare food for your family (if you had consumed meat before) so given the RAW food for your pets are also human consumption grade, this is in fact not an issue and scare mongering by the interest groups, like certain professions even fraudster use legal terms to scare you, beware, see https://www.actionfraud.police.uk.
There can be some initial challenges, like potential choking hazards or concerns about food safety. But with the guidance of trusted veterinarians and a little bit of due diligence, you can navigate these hurdles and unlock the incredible benefits of a raw, species-appropriate diet for your feline companions.
So, my fellow Worldfixers, I challenge you to make every day International Pet's Day. Dive deep into the research, seek out the expertise of those who've walked this path before you, and be open to the transformative power of a whole-food, movement-rich, intermittent fasting lifestyle. Who knows, the insights you gain from caring for your furry friends may just be the key to unlocking your own path to a healthier, happier life.
Here's to a world where every day is a celebration of our four-legged friends, and the lessons they have to teach us about living our best lives.
Onwards and upwards, let's FixTheWorld.4Good.Space
Retired
2wVery well done Gareth, especially since you only recently came across my work. You extrapolated from seeing your cats thrive and applied the information for your health. Excellent. However, as you would expect only recently becoming aware of raw meaty bones info, there's more to it. Raw meaty bones are the key to the carnivore code. Not 'raw meat' but 'raw meaty bones'. The ripping and tearing are the crucial initial health (medicinal) benefits that carnivores crave. 'Like a dog with a bone' we say to explain someone's craving. Yup, cleaning teeth and stimulating brain chemicals and telling the stomach something is on the way down are vital, initial medicinal functions of raw meaty bones. And it goes above and beyond that. I encourage everyone to visit: https://www.thepetfoodcon.com/cybernetic-hypothesis-of-periodontal-disease-in-mammalian-carnivores/ where you can find a whole new theory of health and disease. As a further comment, the Cybernetic Hypothesis was first postulated in 1992, but was suppressed by the junk pet food/vet alliance and also the corrupt raw meat pushers with their absurd and harmful recipes. Good luck with your further researches. Cheers, Tom