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Consider a pet's diet with
homemade food
April 26, 2007
It seems that almost everyday we're hearing about another pet food
product being recalled due to a report that it may contain wheat gluten
tainted with melamine, a toxin normally used in plastics. With 16 deaths
confirmed early on by the FDA, and countless more believed to be
associated with the contamination, it's driving many pet owners to
consider the option of homemade pet food.
That's understandable when considering the varied types of pet foods on
the shelves and the myriad of ingredients we have to comb through before
deciding what to feed our pet.
But before deciding on homemade pet food, it's important for pet owners
to understand the intricate dietary needs of our four-legged companions.
It's not as easy as going to the butcher and picking out a nice cut of
beef or a tasty slice of salmon, despite what Garfield or Sylvester
would have us believe.
Even the American Veterinary Medical Association recently issued a
statement cautioning pet owners that "preparing a pet food at home is no
simple task."
In fact, they actually advise against tackling the task alone. If you do
decide to prepare home-cooked meals, they advise consulting your
veterinarian or a professional trained in pet nutrition.
So why all the caution?
How many of us grew up with pets who were fed table scraps? It may seem
harmless, but there are ingredients in human food that can be toxic to
an animal's digestive system, which is very different from our own.
Chocolate, especially dark chocolate, can be harmful, also garlic,
onions, raisins, yeast dough and, surprising to me, macadamia nuts.
Although the exact toxic component of macadamia nuts is still unknown, a
veterinary pathologist with the Department of Primary Industries has
found that the nuts can lead to dangerous symptoms -- everything from a
tremor of the skeletal muscle to weakness or paralysis in the
hindquarters. Affected dogs often are unable to rise and are distressed,
usually panting. Some affected dogs have exhibited swollen limbs and
show pain when the limbs are manipulated.
In addition to these dangerous ingredients, our pets also need a balance
of vitamins and minerals, and providing that on our own can be a
challenging task.
Our love for our pets is so strong that we're often more conscious of
what we feed them then what we feed ourselves. So knowing what's best
for them helps our pets sleep soundly with a happy, well-fed belly, and
we sleep better knowing that they're safe.
- Gloria
Dauphin
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