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Pettao
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The Integrated Veterinary Diet is a movement of diet and nutrition for domestic dogs and cats based on the integration of Western nutritional science and Eastern veterinary principles. The concept incorporates both raw feeding and pasteurized food. The movement is based on a holistic, natural approach to pet health and wellness, incorporating both Western science and Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine (TCVM). The Chinese philosophy and concept Tao (pronounced “dow”), which means the ‘way’, is one of the foundations of the movement. Foundation The movement’s foundation and origin includes aspects of Western thinking, Chinese philosophy, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), TCVM and Eastern medicine. The founders of Pettao believe that the strengths of both Western and Eastern veterinary principles form the proper basis for the ideal food for dogs and cats. The basic foundation of the Integrated Veterinary Diet (IVD) is Chinese philosophy and Taoism, which focuses on the fundamental or true nature of the world and a holistic conception of the world. These philosophical truths are also the underpinnings that influence the practice of TCVM. Another foundational truth for health in Pettao and TCVM is balance- balance within yourself, balance with others, balance with your diet, and balance with nature. Founders and Influences Two veterinarians, Dr. Casey Damron and Dr. Marc Smith, both of the United States, are credited with starting the IVD movement in 2006. Both Damron and Smith are longtime veterinarians who studied Western veterinary science at the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine. They studied TCVM at the Chi Institute of Chinese Medicine in Reddick, Florida. Several organizations have been a vital part of the development and evolution of the IVD philosophy, including The Chi Institute and The Pet Food Institute in Washington, DC. Some of the individuals who have made significant contributions to Pettao are nutritional consultant Larry Pruitt and TCVM expert Dr. Huisheng Xie of The Chi Institute and the Veterinary Medical Center of the University of Florida. Western Veterinary Principles Advocates base the formula on the advanced Western nutritional standards designed to promote and insure pet health through diet and nutrition and developed over the last century. The primary organizations who have developed these standards are the American Veterinary Medical Association and the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO). AAFCO sets standards for nutrient profiles and food safety. These organizations also correlate nutritional adequacy with disease prevalence. Pettao foods are designed to meet the nutritional levels set by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles for “All Life Stages”. Eastern Veterinary Principles The IVD movement is also based on Eastern Veterinary principles and Eastern medicine, including Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine (TCVM). The Eastern foundation of the movement is based on Eastern concepts and theories such as Tao, the yin yang Theory, the Five Element Theory and others. Moreover, the movement is based on the TCVM branches of Food Therapy and Herbal Therapy. IVD Formula and Diet Natural Diet The proponents of Pettao believe that the ideal diet for dogs and cats consists of natural ingredients that the animals are intended to eat. These ingredients include primarily meats, vegetables, starches, herbs and vitamins, all combined according to Eastern veterinary principles. Unique Formulas and Combinations The foods are chosen and combined into the IVD formulas according to Eastern medical and veterinary principles, such as the Yin-yang Theory and TCVM’s Food Therapy and Herbal Therapy. For example, according to Eastern medicine, every food item is described as having energetic properties such as warming, cooling, or flavoring that act on the body in certain predictable yet different ways. Foods may be combined in ways to heal the body as well as keep it in balance. In the East, this art of combining foods based on energetics and achieving balance is termed Food Therapy, one of the five fundamental branches of TCVM along with acupuncture, herbal therapy, tui-na, or massage, and qigong. Another example is seasonal diets, including Summer and Winter diets designed to deal with hot and cold weather. In hot months, advocates recommend a diet with primarily cooling foods, while in cold months, proponents recommend a diet with warming foods. Pettao advocates believe in a holistic approach to pet care and therefore consider direct as well as external influences such as extreme weather on animals. The formulas are designed to allow dogs and cats to lead healthy, vibrant, long lives. Pasteurization and Raw IVD advocates believe there are benefits to both pasteurization and to raw feeding, according to Eastern principles and depending on the age of the pet. Since the lifespan of dogs in the wild is five to seven years, advocates recommend that only pets under the age of five consume a raw diet, while pets over the age of five consume a pasteurized diet. All of Pettao’s diet and nutrition recommendations are based on a holistic view of pet care, diet and nutrition. Problems with Commercial Diets The IVD movement began when veterinarians and animal science professionals realized that commercial pet foods are a significant cause of many canine and feline diseases, illnesses and health problems, including cancer, tumors, gastritis (vomiting), enteritis (diarrhea), obesity and skin allergies. The average commercial pet food consists mainly of processed, refined carbohydrates, grains, preservatives and additives, a formula that does not provide pets with proper, adequate nutrition and contributes significantly to health problems. Commercial pet dry foods often contain a large amount of grains, which many animal experts feel are inappropriate for dogs and cats. Many believe that dogs and cats are intended to consume grain-free food. Experts feel that since cats are obligate carnivores, the ideal feline diet should be meat-based rather than grain-based. Studies comparing the source of protein in dry cat food concluded that the digestibility of meat-based protein is superior to corn-based protein. Another problem with commercial foods is the cooking process. The intense heat used to process commercial pet food destroys and reduces nutrients, vitamins, minerals, and enzymes. Studies done with rats found that heat processing significantly changes the the digestibility of amino acids in cat food. Due to the extreme heating process, pet food manufacturers must supplement the food after heat processing to replace nutrients. Therefore Pettao proposes both raw and pasteurized food in an effort to maintain balance. Bacteria and Viruses Veterinary surgeon and raw feeding proponent Tom Lonsdale states that food from dry or canned commercial kibble sticks to teeth and enables bacteria to proliferate, causing "sore gums, bad breath and bacterial poisons that affect the rest of the body". Lonsdale further states that dogs lack the necessary enzymes to digest [ and plant material and claims that grains cooked at high temperature can cause starch, proteins and fats to become "denatured or toxic in variable degrees." The poorly digested grain is said to support toxin-producing bacteria in the lower bowel which may eventually lead to "poisons pass through the bowel wall into blood circulation" creating "further problems" in other organs. Pasteurization Advocates of Pettao believe that pasteurization is the optimal method for preparation of the Pettao pet food formula. Pasteurization is intended to reduce the number of viable pathogens so they are unlikely to cause disease, assuming the pasteurization product is refrigerated and consumed before its expiration date. With balance being one of the main tenets and truths of TCVM, pasteurization compliments this holistic approach to food preparation. Pasteurization offers balance in several ways: 1.) balance between the numbers of harmful and beneficial bacteria, 2.) balance between destruction and maintenance of the food’s inherent nutritional benefits, and 3.) balance between cooking and raw. 
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