Dogs and cats were not designed to eat cereal. They were designed to eat fresh or decaying meat. Kibble lacks the enzymes, polyunsaturated fats and variety that dog and cat bodies were designed for. The good news is that you can help! Find at least a few types of kibble made with high quality human grade ingredients and different protein sources that your pet enjoys. Rotate through them to provide the variety your animal would have if they were wild. Here are five helpful tips to help bridge the gap.

Step 1: Digestive enzymes. All food sources have enzymes that occur naturally that help break them down. The enzymes found in your pets’ wild ancestors’ diets (and the raw ingredients of your kibble) are depleted in the cooking and “kibble-izing” (extrusion) process that all kibble goes through. High heat and high pressure kill most, if not all of the digestive enzymes in the meat, veggies and grain. You can add them back to your pet’s diet by adding them to the top of the kibble at every meal.

Step 2: Veggies! Vegetables are full of essential vitamins, minerals and antioxidants that are as good for your pet as they are for you. They can be fed lightly steamed or raw. If you choose to feed veggies raw, it is recommended that they be grated, ground or juiced to break down the cellulose.

Step 3: Poultry Parts. In the wild, canines and felines eat whole young birds. Bones found in UNCOOKED poultry are full of calcium and phosphorus, as well as many other nutrients in the appropriate ratios. As long as the bones are uncooked, they are pliable enough to be safely eaten by most dogs.

Step 4: More protein. Canines and felines evolved on diets consisting mostly of protein. You can add raw or lightly scrambled egg to the kibble to add protein. Cottage cheese, plain yogurt, lean raw meats, no sodium canned mackerel or salmon are also good additions for your four legged friend. Be sure to reduce the amount of kibble when adding protein, or your pet will likely gain weight!

Step 5: Oil. Adding an oil supplement containing the essential Omega fatty acids to your pet’s diet will support all of their bodily systems! Your pet will have a healthier, shinier coat and a stronger immune system. Salmon oil is the most common, though Flax Seed oil is also common.

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