Posted on 09/17/2010 10:04:19 AM PDT by decimon
MANHATTAN -- While natural food is a rising trend among humans, pet owners should be careful before feeding similar types of food to their pets, according to a Kansas State University veterinarian.
All too often pet owners assume that because certain foods, such as fruits and vegetables, are healthy for them, they are also healthy for their pets, said Susan Nelson, K-State assistant professor of clinical services.
"Natural and veggie-based pet foods are based more on market demand from owners, not because they are necessarily better for the pet," she said.
Natural pet food isn’t necessarily unhealthy for pets, and there are good brands on the market. But cats and dogs have specific nutritional needs that some of these foods may not provide, Nelson said.
For instance, a natural dog food may provide antioxidants through fruits and vegetables, but it may be deficient in other nutrients the dog needs. If pet owners opt for natural pet food, it's important to make sure pets still receive a well-balanced diet, she said.
Before buying any pet food that is labeled natural, owners should make sure it comes from a reputable company. Nelson said the Association of American Feed Control Officials, or AAFCO, sets guidelines for the production, labeling and distribution of pet food and sets minimum standards for the nutritional adequacy of diets.
(Excerpt) Read more at k-state.edu ...
Plastic bowl ping.
Fat Mike and his idiot sister get whatever’s on sale.
One of our dogs has an issue with wheat products. Wheat is perfectly "natural" but it gave our dog terrible skin problems which didn't go away until we removed the "natural" wheat from his diet.
"Natural" doesn't equate with "nutritious". Chlorine and cyanide are natural. That don't mean I'm going to feed them to Pugsly.
Should he be out looking for processed cat turds, vs the naturally occurring ones he usually finds?
Mine loves grass, blackberries, huckleberries. Ain't buying 'em for her, though. She's gotta forage.
That, in fact, is an indication of something missing in his diet.
dog food = rice and sardines
NEVER, never give grapes or raisins to a dog. In some dogs they create a toxin that leads to epilepsy-type seizures. I just recently went through that with my Rat Terrier. She nearly died from it.
It doesn’t affect every dog, but don’t take the chance. Thank God she recovered. She’s the magic doggie.
OMGoodness mine too, he will eat them right out of the litter box. Nasty.
Yeah...cat turds. Probably a vitamin deficiency. Eating feces...refection...is a normal activity in some species. Birds can benefit from the nutrients produced by bacterial action in their feces. Just sayin'....
I agree with this vet. Tried some of the raw feed and it made my dogs sick. Used of the really fancy dog food out there and they made my dogs sick.
I have been using Science Diet for years over 25 and like it. My dogs do really well on it and it’s not good to switch your dog food all of the time.
I can get my Jack Russel to eat a little dog food but he appears to prefer ground round,boneless skinless chicken breast and NY strips,spoiled little monster.
My doggie eats moles, yes ground moles. She eats them in 3 to 4 chews. I notice she tenderizes them first, breaks the bones then eats them.. As far as I know she has eaten 4 this season. I try at times to take them away from her, I think that is why she eats them so quickly.
So is a mole......”natural” ?? Ha ha??
Mine too. Have to keep the box blocked so the cats can get to it but the dog can’t.
my little jack russell just loves her Beneful doggie food.
I’m sorry, but there’s nothing about Science Diet dog food that is nutritional for dogs. First ingredient: Corn. Second ingredient: chicken by-product. Third ingredient: animal fat (horse? cow? camel?). Yuck, yuck and yuck. And I hate that most veterinarians carry it in their offices, like it’s some super food.
I do not feed raw, though I know some breeders that do.
I have been super happy with the Orijen formulas.
He also likes to find snakes/lizards, let them cure in the sun for a day or two and then roll in them.
We got Kibbles and Bits because it has meat chunks. My dog loves it, but we have noticed the pieces that are supposed to be vegetable based she pushes aside.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.