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 ...
I worked on a ranch in Nevada and in the fall there were always coyotes hanging out under the old apple trees in one of the pastures. They were eating apples that fell off the trees.
Coyotes will eat anything. And an orchard is a good place to wait for deer. I’ve heard of coyotes subsisting on bison dung in tough winters.
Yes, the shih tzu was my first dog when I was 13. I now own, compete and breed german shorthaired pointers. Agreed the daily exercise and generally just being a dog is the best thing for them, but I believe quality of life is optimized with an optimized diet; just like for people, garbage in equals garbage out. They eat commercial food, but they eat what I think is the best I’ve been able to find, and every now and then I’ll add a treat like a whole raw quail egg, sardines or some kind of veggie. I feel like if I’m asking my dogs to perform for me it’s my duty to do what I can to make sure they succeed. In my opinion, no, not all “natural” foods are best for dogs. On the other hand I’ve been in far too many vets offices that sell foods like Science Diet and I just can’t believe anyone thinks that what a dog needs is a majority of corn.
As I said, I *want* my vet to make money off of me, but not because I’m being told (or not told as the case may be) incorrect or misleading information. I’ve offered to hire my vet as a private consultant to teach me canine emergency first aid and cpr; she basically said, you don’t need to spend the money on that, read this book and most of all try not to panic. This was after one of my puppies, while running around the yard with her brother, somehow managed to either be shoved in to or ran into our Expedition and sustained massive head injuries and 3 separate spinal fractures. She has since made a full recovery other than the permanent divot she’s got in the top of her head. But as much as I know how to take care of the common dog injuries or illnesses at home, it made me realize that I didn’t know a whole lot about stabilizing in case of an emergency. And you probably know that gun dogs are excellent at finding their way in to precarious situations. :)
Last week I saw Bear Grylls eating deer droppings, so rabbit pills should be in the same, approved category.
When our daughter was under 3 and still put everything in her mouth, I asked her to spit out whatever she was chewing on. She spit out a hand full of deer droppings. She grew up find so they must not be too bad for ya!
Keeping a dog out of the litterbox?
Looking at the replies you’ve gotten, it depends on the food drive of the dog.
My ‘smart’ one quickly learned that eating kitty crunchies ticks Mommy off. Not even competition with the other dog spurs her to partake now, not since she was a puppy.
The other one? Well, she’s a lab.
My kitty has a covered litterbox in a corner of the bathroom, the opening facing a wall with about 4 inches of space for her to access the box. Still, I sometimes have to use a baby gate across the doorway, or the lab will surrender to her appetites (shudder). She’s too numb to take shelter in the shade on a hot summer day, but she’s incredibly sneaky when it comes to items not on the menu. (My animals are allowed to browse feed with food always available in their bowls.) She does it right out of the blue after months or years of good behavior - and normally right after I’ve cleaned, the little rat.
During one episode I took to the shower on consecutive nights with a padded stick to ambush her. She was bright enough to wait til I’d pulled the curtain closed behind me!
LOL! That’s why they’re called “Labrador Deceivers.” Our lab knew he wasn’t allowed on the bed. (Our four dogs were 50 lb., 60 lb., and two 90 lb.) Every morning, I’d wake up with him sleeping peacefully in the crook of my left elbow. That dog outsmarted me all the time. He had the greatest heart! Not a mean bone in his little body! How can you be angry w/somebody who just wants to be close? :)
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