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