naturalpet


HOME RECIPES


HUMAN FOODS ARE GOOD FOR PETS


by Carla Soviero


damia nuts, grapes, raisins and currants; and alcohol… because if a dog or cats eats even a morsel of these human foods, it could be fatal. Fortunately, the calming counsel of


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Dr. Carol Osborne, a world-renowned veterinarian and leading authority on alternative and holistic veterinary medi- cine, offers new understanding: “These foods have the ability to become a toxic threat if continually fed to pets,” she advises, “with the exception of grapes, raisins, currants and alcohol, which should be entirely avoided.” That’s not to say that these foods are good for pets, but most are far from deadly. For example, chocolate con- tains theobromine which, as a cousin to caffeine, may cause signs of hyperac- tivity, including an elevated heart rate and/or seizures. Grapes, raisins and currants, if eaten in sufficient quanti- ties, can damage pet kidneys; the exact toxic mechanism remains unknown. Onions and garlic have the potential to damage red blood cells, leading to anemia. So, while we don’t feed these routinely, a little onion powder or garlic


22 San Diego Edition


ou may have heard this warning: Keep pets away from chocolate; garlic, onions and chives; Maca-


in a pet’s meal or the accidental bite of chocolate off the floor, are generally not issues to cause concern. Osborne explains that liver func-


tion in dogs and cats is less efficient in its ability to detoxify certain foods when compared to the liver capabilities of an adult person. “The liver detoxifies what people and pets eat,” she says. “In pets, liver function is similar to that of a child, with a limited ability to metabo- lize and detoxify certain foods, thereby rendering them potentially toxic.”


Rumors of Harm The concept of killer pet foods esca- lated into a crisis when Menu Foods, a Canadian-based manufacturer of many pet foods, recalled its products in 2004 and 2007, creating the biggest- ever pet food recall in U.S. history. The recalled pet foods contained wheat gluten contaminated with two chemi- cals: melamine (used to make plastics); and cyanuric acid (used to sanitize pool water). Both were added as cost-saving bulk agents. The lethal mix of these two chemi- cals caused acute kidney failure, result- ing in death for 250,000 pets. Menu Foods ultimately paid $24 million to


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compensate affected pet owners. “Heightened awareness and demand for quality pet foods skyrocketed after the recalls,” remarks Osborne. “It’s frighten- ing that cyanuric acid is still being legally added to pet food. It artificially boosts protein levels and misleads pet owners as to true protein content, while camouflaging a toxic chemi- cal at the same time. Updated manufacturing guidelines and safety regulations are essential to ensure quality and safety of pet food ingredients. Unfortu- nately, both are lacking.” She further notes that slaughterhouse floor scraps,


considered ined- ible for human


consumption, comprise the bulk of ingredients in


pet foods, regardless of the label or price. Clever pet food names are often misleading, she says. Unlike “certified organic,” holistic and natural are mar- keting terms which, when used on pet food labels, guarantee nothing about content or quality.


A Sound Solution Osborne’s professional experience, training and research validate the fact that feeding our pets homemade foods similar to those we enjoy is a sound, healthy choice. “A meal of chicken, sweet potato and broccoli, for example, is as good for pets as it is for people,” advises Osborne. “Don’t be afraid to prepare meals made of human foods for your pets. In addition to offering honest pet nutrition, it helps curb pricey pet food bills.” Her clients have found that simple recipes save time and money, help to avoid emergency room visits and promote health and wellness. Homemade canine cuisine made of equal portions of a lean protein, such as chicken, turkey, beef, veal, duck, fish or eggs; long-acting carbohydrates, like potatoes, rice, pasta or oatmeal; and


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