F E A T U R E T O P I C: N U T R I T I O N
Adding fresh foods to your pet's diet By Lori Mohr-Corrigan Copyright 1999, Lori Mohr-Corrigan. Used with permission. Information links in Italics More articles by Lori Mohr-Corrigan True or false: Your pet gets all the nutrients he needs from eating the same processed dog or cat food day in and day out? The answer to this question has been hotly debated for quite some time. Can your dog or cat maintain good and lasting health by eating only bagged and canned food, or would the addition of fresh foods enable you to better balance their diet and make it more bioavailable? Discount food and malnutrition Variety is the spice of life, and the years-old adage that says an animal prefers monotony has been thrown by the wayside. "Few of us would consent to eating only one processed, packaged food for our entire lives," says Brent Catlett, a pet food professional. "Yet, we accept that logic when it comes to our pets. If supplementation is done on a small scale and with the right fresh foods, it can only improve any of the fine products on the market." With all the hormones and preservatives being shot into cattle, it's no wonder our dogs suffer allergic reactions to rawhide chews. On top of that, more chemicals are used in the drying process until the end product is as far removed from its original make-up as possible. In addition, commercial dog biscuits are laden with artificial flavors, colors and an incredible amount of preservatives just to maintain a long shelf life. Ethoxyquin in pet food If you'd like to offer your pet a healthier alternative to processed snacks, look no further than your refrigerator. Florida-based Veterinary Health Options suggests the following choices: Vegetables-carrot-squash-turnip-beet-sweet potato-white potato (make sure skin hasn't turned green)-celery-green pepper-broccoli-cauliflower-kale-bean-pea (in minimal amounts)-Fruit (small quantities of most fruits)-citrus in minimal amounts VHO suggests that all food should be served room temperature or slightly warm -- this goes for regular meals, too. "Dogs will be more likely to vomit cold food, and digestive enzymes don't function well on colder foods." When choosing treats, remember that variety is the key. Keep in mind that vegetables should be cooked (preferably steamed), except for the occasional raw carrot (dogs love 'em!). |