Food For Thought
 
We all have been taught that what we eat is vitally important to our health and well-being. I’m sure most of us realize it is equally important to our pet’s health as well. A pet’s body is designed to withstand and correct many of the things that impact it in the course of a lifetime. The only way it can do this is if we provide them with the nutrients they need to accomplish this job.

The same basic nutritional principles apply whether one is talking about a human or a pet. A body needs a variety of fresh wholesome food that is appropriate to the species and the individual’s needs. Despite any manufacturer’s claims, no one processed food can possibly be adequate for all the different breeds, ages, sizes, and individual lifestyles that our pets represent.

If you find it necessary to limit your pet to a single food source, be sure you have chosen one that is a good match for your pet. The best way to tell that is for both you and your veterinarian to carefully monitor your pet’s health in several ways. First, as an owner, you can take notice of their hair coat condition. Pets with oily, dry, sparse or brittle hair coats could be lacking nutrients necessary to grow a healthy hair coat. Excessive water drinking, a poor body condition (thin or too heavy) are also signs of a food that might not be quite right for your pet. Your veterinarian can help you judge if your
pet is getting the appropriate nutrients with annual exams and, as they age, routine blood tests to make sure their kidneys, liver, heart and other organs are receiving the right amount of what they need to function normally.

Dry kibble is still the most popular and the most convenient and affordable option in pet foods. Just like you do for yourself, READ THE LABEL. Is this food made for my pet’s age range? Is there a website or phone number for questions and concerns? Are there a lot of preservatives listed among the ingredients? Is the food AAFCO approved? (Check out pet MD for an explanation of AAFCO) Most veterinarians still agree that “premium” pet foods sold at pet or feed stores
are superior to those at the grocery store. 

Thanks to mass media advertising, the ease of internet ordering and rapid shipping, fresh, refrigerable foods are fast growing in popularity. At the time of this publication Just Food For Dogs is the favorite among the doctors at Buellton Vet. Their website is user friendly and offers options to customize for pets with health concerns and special needs. Ultimately the best type of these foods will be what your dog will eat and be healthy and happy.

Veterinarians have long advised against feeding their pets “people food”. This stems from the fact that “people food” often meant fatty leftovers such as fat, skin or bones which are bad for your pet. Adding small amounts of fresh vegetables or lean protein may be healthy for your pet.

One of the most controversial and difficult to accomplish correctly is cooking for your pet. However, if you feel it important to know exactly what our pet is eating, this is the approach for you. The internet is crowded with books and blogs on how to make your pet’s food at home. The doctors at Buellton Vet have found www.balance.it to be the most reliable and accurate. The most difficult part of this approach is getting the right ingredients, especially the supplements. This is one place where substitutions can make a huge difference in the long-term health of your pet and
shouldn’t be allowed. 

There are a few pet food “Myths” that you should avoid.
 Grain Free food is good for dogs – NO. The FDA has found a link between grain free diets and cardiac disease.
 Vegan or Vegetarian Diets – NO. Cats are obligate carnivores; in other words they must have meat in their diets
to survive and dogs can suffer skin and digestive issues on these diets
 Feeding a raw diet is best – NO. Raw food may contain parasites, salmonella or other bacteria that are rendered
harmless with cooking.
Ultimately, just like us, we should feed the food that fits our pet’s lifestyle, age and health needs. If you need help with
this task, feel free to ask us. Bon Appetite