Wheat Flour

Wheat flour was introduced to the indigenous people of this country by the early settlers and later became a luxury item for traders. It was used to thicken soups and to make an unleavened biscuit that was cooked in a fry pan. American Indians are known for their fry bread, but "bread" did not exist for them before the settlers came.

Before this, as nature intended, the indigenous people [and early man] hunted for meat and fish, and foraged for fruits, herbs, roots, and seeds. Rice being a staple food in Asia and corn was it for this country as it is in other countries such as Africa.

Wheat flour has become a convenient staple in our diets as a part of progress. It is part of a basic food group [grains] even for our pets. There is a wheat " protein" that is included in some power drinks that many feel they can't do without. Wheat gluten is also in Rye and Barley. For us it means bread and pasta that pack on weight and fuels diabetes. For dogs and cats it is the number one ingredient in "cookie cutter" pet food that is mass-produced. It's not natural for them [or us] to be eating it, yet we fill their food bowls with this every day.

For people it has produced what is known as Celiac Disease. This is an intolerance to wheat gluten [that protein] and is something that I personally cope with. Wheat gluten causes the small intestine to malfunction and NO food is digested properly which causes a long list of other health issues. Left uncontrolled it can lead to cancer. Since our dogs and cats do not digest wheat and it passes as a filler, I think it is accurate to say the our dogs and cats are Celiacs.
[ Please note that the difference between an allergy to certain foods and an intolerance is that an allergy effects the person or pet while the offending food is in their system. An intolerance causes tissue cell damage, long lasting effects, and can promote other illnesses.]

At best our pets sort of, kind of adapt to wheat gluten. But something that is healthy and something that is adapted to are not the same. They are gaining nothing from this filler, do not digest this wheat protein, and in many cases become ill from it. I can tell you from personal experience, if your cat or dog can not tolerate wheat gluten, they ARE miserable.

The other filler in pet food is corn. While corn is more easily digested, it has minimal nutritional value for our pets. It's a filler and most of it passes. We can get away with corn as a filler if it is balanced with a highly nutritional diet.[ Please note that some pets are allergic to corn grain and it is up to you to know this about your pet.]