11/22/2009

Q:  What is the best food for a dog?

A:  There are many variables that affect the decision.  What breed and age of dog?  Are there any underlying medical conditions?  Do you have a personal preference for certain characteristics, like no preservatives, no artificial colors, no byproducts, or only organic ingredients? 

For any food, I want to see the words “animal feeding trials” mentioned in the AAFCO statement.  Companies are allowed to make a nutritionally balanced claim using only “book values” for the ingredients.  Variable ingredient quality means the nutrients in the bag may be too rich, too poor, or out of balance.  The “animal feeding trial” method involves an additional step of actually feeding the diet over a period of time to scientifically demonstrate the nutritional qualities of that food.

I also want to see the name of a manufacturer.  This is different from a distributor or store name.  I want to know the same company is making the food with the same formula every time I buy it.  Store brands will generally be made by multiple manufacturers.  They are also generally formulated based on low price rather than optimum nutrition.

After those two minimums are met, I look at ingredient list.  I like lots of meat, few byproducts, and only natural preservatives, like vitamin E.  I do not eat organic myself, so I do not insist on an organic label for my pets.  If you want an organic pet food, the other criteria still apply.

Ideally, I then look at nutrient composition in relation to a specific pet’s needs.  Unfortunately, actual nutrient content varies considerably from the minimums and maximums listed on most labels.  Unless you get more precise “dry matter” nutrient lists from a manufacturer, I would not suggest using the bag label as a judge of the food’s actual composition. 

Your dog’s veterinarian is the best person to make a custom recommendation for you and your pet.  Let her know what you are looking for in a diet and bring any research you have done along for the visit. 

 

Q:  After last Thanksgiving my friend's dog was hospitalized after he ate some turkey.  Is it safe to feed my pets some table scraps this Thanksgiving?             

A:  This time of year veterinarians are usually busy for several days after each holiday.  Traditionally, the busiest day of the year for small animal veterinarians is the day following Thanksgiving.  One of the more common post-holiday ailments is an inflammation of the pancreas, or pancreatitis.  In dogs, the inflammation is frequently triggered by a fatty meal and can be very serious.  If your friend's dog suffered from this disease, it was less likely from the turkey and more likely from the gravy, ham trimmings, buttered potatoes, or pumpkin pie.  Some breeds, like miniature schnauzers, are genetically prone to this syndrome and can have life-threatening bouts.  Any breed with this condition is likely to require several days of hospitalization and IV fluids.  Fortunately, cats do not seem prone to the acute form of this disease.

Most pets are able to tolerate small amounts of bland, low-fat table foods.  However, giving too much is a quick way to give your pet vomiting or diarrhea.  Humans are a hunting and foraging species and our intestinal tract is designed for a wide variety of food.  In contrast, wild dogs and cats generally eat only one specific type of food.  If they live in an area with plentiful bird population, the majority of their diet may consist of birds.  If rabbits or other small mammals abound, generally that would be their primary food source.  Their gastrointestinal system is designed for a consistent food source.  Abrupt changes lead to bacterial shifts and irritated bowels.

If your pets are accustomed to small amounts of low-fat table foods, they should be able to safely handle some at Thanksgiving as well.  Always avoid large quantities, high fat foods, and items with a lot of spice.  If you have a pet with a history of a sensitive stomach or pancreas, you should avoid all table scraps and stick with easily digestible pet food.