| The latest outbreak of dog food and cat food | | | | Association recently stated, "There are a wide variety |
| contamination has shaken the confidence of pet | | | | of benefits. Animals with arthritis and longstanding |
| owners the world over, but nowhere as much as in | | | | gastrointestinal ailments or skin problems often improve |
| the United States where illness and reported deaths | | | | significantly after being placed on grain-free raw diets". |
| took its highest toll of family pets. Now, in the | | | | For those who might be concerned about introducing |
| aftermath of large scale pet food recalls, many are | | | | contaminants into their own diets, it's important to note |
| asking questions about the ingredients that they've | | | | here that the more common phobias and issues |
| always trusted to provide optimum health for their | | | | related to food borne microbes, such as salmonella are |
| family pets. | | | | largely unfounded, with no real evidence of actual |
| It comes as no real surprise now that many pet | | | | cases of illness to animals or humans when the meat |
| owners are choosing to make their own homegrown | | | | is fresh and handled in an appropriate manner. Melinda |
| variety of pet nutrition. When made properly, it has to | | | | Miller added, "no study has ever correlated human |
| be a better option than all that imported stuff with | | | | illness with raw-fed dogs or cats." Raw food diets are |
| unknown ingredients of suspicious composition and | | | | popular in Europe and have gained significant interest in |
| origin. In fact, many say it's not too difficult at all and | | | | America over the past twenty years, so it can be |
| fairly inexpensive to make. But, a number of experts | | | | considered yet another possible alternative over the |
| caution that homemade diets won't work for every | | | | store bought brands. |
| pet or its owner. Some dogs and cats have a more | | | | A Word of Caution: |
| difficult time adjusting to a new diet and the new | | | | Don't just think that you can feed your pet table |
| process itself may simply be too labor intensive and | | | | scraps and assume it to be a viable nutritional |
| inconvenient for many owners. The choice should be | | | | alternative. It's not! Pets have special needs just as we |
| made only after careful consideration. | | | | do, so do your homework. There are many online |
| For starters, you can have your family vet or a | | | | resources, and even pet food cookbooks to help |
| recommended veterinary nutritionist put together a | | | | make things a lot easier. But, in the meantime, don't just |
| starter diet for you to try. On the other hand, if you | | | | feed them what you're eating. At the very least, they |
| prefer, do the nutritional research yourself. It's | | | | won't be getting the nutrition they need, and the things |
| unfortunate, but the rap against vets today, is similar to | | | | you're giving them could make them sick or even kill |
| what doctors experienced in years past, that they | | | | them. |
| know a lot about medicine, but were never taught | | | | Here's a short list of foods that can be toxic for |
| much about nutrition. And, the veterinary nutritionists | | | | animals and should always be avoided, even in small |
| are accused of being little more than puppets, with the | | | | quantities: chocolate, mushrooms, macadamia nuts, |
| pet food manufacturers pulling the strings. There may | | | | onions, garlic, leeks, chives, grapes, raisins, potato |
| be an element of truth to both, but in any case you'll | | | | peelings, tomatoes (cats) and drinks containing caffeine |
| have to use your own judgment. However, having a | | | | or alcohol. The list for your particular pet may include |
| few sample diets to follow while getting started will | | | | other dangerous or sickening foods, so think before |
| most likely be helpful. | | | | you toss. |
| The most responsible advice is to suggest paying | | | | Making your own pet foods can certainly be a loving |
| close attention to your dog or cat. You know your pet | | | | and caring way to guarantee that your pet gets the |
| better than anyone, so you should quickly notice | | | | healthy nutrition it deserves and without the risk of |
| changes in the quality of their health, such as energy | | | | unknown contaminants. But, do your cost/benefit |
| levels, condition of their coat and stool texture. So, | | | | research first as to ensure a situation that you're |
| keep a close eye out for any subtle changes during | | | | comfortable with including dollars, time and balanced |
| the transition, as you would with changes to any food. | | | | nutrition. Carefully weigh the advantages and |
| When you decide to begin with your homemade | | | | disadvantages for both you and your pet before |
| foods, do it gradually by mixing the new food into the | | | | deciding on this trendy alternative. |
| old food for a couple of weeks. Slowly increase the | | | | For more information regarding the care, development |
| ratio of new to old each day as you monitor your pet's | | | | and safety of the family pet, please visit All About |
| adjustment. | | | | Dogs. |
| Another trend of late has some owners feeding their | | | | Copyright 2007 Harry Monell. All rights reserved. |
| pets a diet based largely on raw meat, vegetables and | | | | Please feel free to share the entire contents of this |
| fruits. In fact, many people believe it's the most natural | | | | article with your friends or post it on your site as long |
| and therefore the healthiest choice for pets. Melinda | | | | as it is left intact with all links unchanged, including this |
| Miller, president of the North American Raw Pet Food | | | | notice. |