By Carol Frischmann, author, Pets and the Planet: A Practical Guide to Sustainable Pet Care

Bette Hanson and co-pilot Sascha are fans of using organic foods when possible, as I am.  The terms “natural” and “organic” confuse people.  Here’s the difference:

“Natural” foods are not “organic.” When manufacturers do not use the word “organic,” it’s because they can’t. If even 70 percent of the ingredients are organic the label will say so because the marketplace commands a higher price for organic products.

 

Organic foods are those produced under specific conditions that prohibit the use of chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides. Those are the chemicals that not only can create problems if you ingest them, but also run off with rainwater into the water supplies, contaminating them.  Because manual labor replaces the job of chemicals, organic foods are more costly to produce.

 

 “Natural” foods do not contain artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives that are nutritionless and sometimes mask a lower-quality product. Usually, the quality of the ingredients in natural products is very good. The hitch is that they aren’t produced by organic methods.

 

When you use high quality ingredients, free of contaminants and additives, your dogs have fewer problems with allergies, skin conditions, and will produce less feces.  You’ll also know that you’re doing the best you can to promote a healthy pet and a healthy, happy planet.