| The Skin and Coat System | | | | |
| | | | The lymph nodes filter invading organisms, |
| The skin and coat system is your pet's first | | | | bacteria and other dangers from the body. |
| line of defense to protect against harmful | | | | They contain lymphocytes, a type of white |
| external bacteria and the elements. | | | | blood cell that attacks infection, and play a |
| | | | role in developing the antibodies that help |
| Skin: | | | | give your pet immunity from certain |
| | | | illnesses. There are lymph nodes clustered |
| Smooth, supple skin is essential as a barrier | | | | throughout your pet's body. |
| against invaders. Healthy skin can heal more | | | | |
| quickly from scratches and cuts. Skin is also | | | | Bone Marrow: |
| the largest organ of the body and will help | | | | |
| eliminate toxins when or if the liver becomes | | | | The bone marrow, contained in the center of |
| overworked and unable to keep up with demand. | | | | bones, produces white blood cells, one of the |
| Healthy skin also holds the coat in better. | | | | body's primary defenses against infection. |
| | | | These cells travel in the bloodstream and |
| Coat: | | | | attack and destroy invaders. When there is an |
| | | | infection underway, more white blood cells |
| The coat offers protection from the elements. | | | | are produced. Antibodies are made of protein, |
| Since hairs are often shed, there needs to be | | | | and the amino acids in protein are the raw |
| continuous replacement. The coat may thicken | | | | material used to build white blood cells and |
| and shed seasonally to help regulate your | | | | components of the immune system. One of the |
| pet's body temperature. | | | | keys to supporting a healthy immune system is |
| | | | an adequate supply of good quality animal |
| Hair Follicles: | | | | protein. |
| | | | |
| Hair follicles, the 'root' of the hair, are | | | | The Digestive System |
| constantly working. The cells divide every | | | | |
| one to three days, with the protein-based | | | | In addition to delivering nutrients from food |
| cells pushed upward to form the hair itself. | | | | to your pet, the digestive system serves as a |
| With this rapid growth, the hair needs a | | | | barrier to internal invaders, like skin does |
| constant supply of protein to grow. | | | | for external invaders. It also produces |
| | | | antibodies and is home to helpful bacteria |
| Omega 6 and Omega 3 fatty acids are among the | | | | that perform a variety of crucial roles. |
| nutrients that are very important to your | | | | |
| pet's skin and coat. The right amount of | | | | Stomach: |
| high-quality fats and other balanced | | | | |
| nutrients help keep skin smooth and supple so | | | | This is the first stop for food and ingested |
| it moves with your pet, helps avoid dry skin | | | | material. The stomach is where food begins to |
| and promotes a thick, lustrous coat. Protein, | | | | be broken down in preparation for absorption. |
| amino acids, vitamins and minerals are also | | | | It is a mixing place for various enzymes and |
| key nutrients in promoting healthy skin and | | | | digestive juices. |
| coat condition. | | | | |
| | | | Intestines: |
| The Immune System | | | | |
| | | | The intestines are where nutrients, minerals |
| The immune system is designed to fight | | | | and water are absorbed for use by the body. |
| illness, harmful bacteria or other invaders | | | | An effective digestive system also will |
| that may attack your pet. It can learn to | | | | destroy invading organisms and other |
| recognize specific invaders and fight them | | | | undesirable substances. |
| whenever they are encountered. Natural, raw | | | | |
| foods set up and maintain healthy, natural | | | | Liver: |
| biochemical reactions. These biochemical | | | | |
| reactions set up a natural line of defense - | | | | The main function of the liver is to aid in |
| a healthy immune system - that fights off | | | | the metabolism of food and to produce |
| bacteria, viruses, and parasites many times a | | | | important chemicals, such as bile acids that |
| day. | | | | help digest fats. In this way, it helps turn |
| | | | food into usable building blocks and energy |
| Mucosal: | | | | for your pet. It also protects the body by |
| | | | acting as a filter of absorbed or ingested |
| The lining of the intestine defends against | | | | toxins, and produces substances that help |
| absorbed or ingested invaders. The mucosal | | | | blood clot. |
| lining not only absorbs the nutrients in the | | | | |
| food your pet eats, but also filters out | | | | By restoring your pet to his natural, |
| harmful bacteria and other invaders, as well | | | | health-giving diet, you can restore the |
| as producing antibodies that attack certain | | | | myriad natural biochemical reactions that |
| disease-causing organisms. | | | | give strength to his immune system. This is |
| | | | the "magic" that keeps pets who are fed |
| Lymph Nodes: | | | | natural diets free of disease. |