It’s time for those New Year resolutions that are mostly centered around diets, and what a better time to talk about our pet’s diets.
Whether you have a dog, a cat, or a rabbit, each animal has a specific dietary need to live a happy and healthy life. Make sure to select a food that is formulated for your pet’s life stage and seek the expert advice of your veterinarian if planning any type of diet for your pet. Some pets would benefit from a prescription diet, and your veterinarian can also help you with a weight loss plan for your pet if needed.
There is a lot of marketing that goes into the pet food industry. Watch out for unregulated buzzwords such as “holistic,” “biologically appropriate” and “premium” – these don’t carry a nutritional meaning. On the other hand, “complete and balanced” does have a defined meaning, which means that caloric needs are met, and all essential nutrients are consumed in the proper amount and ratios.
Special diets have been trending among pet owners and there are some risks associated with them. Due to a significant public health risk, feeding pets a raw diet is not recommended. If planning to feed pets home-prepared diets, it is extremely important to consult a board-certified veterinarian nutritionist to ensure the diet is complete and balanced. Also, the FDA is investigating the possible association between feeding grain-free diets and non-hereditary heart disease in dogs.
To sum up, feed your pets with food made by companies that employ a veterinary nutritionist, produce peer-reviewed research, and have rigid quality control and testing.
By Maggie Belshaw, DVM
Veterinarian at the Animal Rescue League of Berks County
