naturalpet
Raw Food Diets for Pets A
Weighing the Pros and Cons by Sandra Murphy
s with their own food, dog and cat owners are reading pet food labels more closely these days to
evaluate ingredients and their sources. American pet food companies may outsource to foreign manufacturers, sometimes with disastrous results. Various brands of dry dog food (kibble) and treats have been recalled for melamine contamination or other problems—even brands manufactured here have been
the unique nutritional needs of the pet, based on age, breed, health condition and other factors. Don’t substitute ingredients.”
“You can spend
money on vet visits or on better food.”
~ Veterinarian Laurie Coger
recalled for salmonella contamination. To ensure that what we’re serving our dogs contains a proper balance of protein, vitamins and minerals for overall health, the Dog Food Advisor rates dog foods and treats by brand name, explains the ingredients, including byproducts not fi t for human consumption, and recommends the best options. Owners can sign up for emails about recalls and other alerts at
DogFoodAdvisor.com. Other reasons to read labels include potential allergic reactions to foods, especially chicken and corn, common ingredients in kibble. The educational website notes, “Corn is an inexpensive and controversial cereal grain of only modest nutritional value to a dog.”
Homemade Meals To have more control over what the family dog or cat eats, many owners turn to home-cooked meals, but know- how is key. “A big risk with home- prepared diets is that they are almost always nutritionally inadequate for long-term feeding, even when using published recipes,” advises Dr. Brennen McKenzie, president of the Evidence- Based Veterinary Medicine Association. “Consult a board-certifi ed nutritionist for
28 Central Florida natural awakenings
Cooking for pets can be time- consuming. Some owners have found dehydrated foods like those from The Honest Kitchen, made in the United States using human food- grade ingredients, both cost-effective and easy to prepare. While the purchase price can be higher than other options, the food rapidly
rehydrates to four times its original weight by adding warm water. A meatless variety allows owners to add their choice of raw meat, meaty bones or cooked meat and can be suitable for sensitive dogs, raw feeders and dogs that need a unique protein source. “Dehydrated foods are also a good way for a squeamish owner to start a raw diet for their dog,” remarks Dr. Laurie Coger, an associate veterinarian at the Bloomin- grove Veterinary Hospital, in Rensselaer, New York, who also offers consultations through
TheHonestKitchen.com. Coger
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