K9 Safari

Nutrition for Your Dog

Posted by Megan on 10 April 2008

Nutrition information for our dogs is becoming as plentiful – and as confusing – as information for humans. Understanding a few simple terms and principles may help you make the best decisions about how to feed your dog.

Most of us probably grew up feeding our canine family members a combination of mass-produced dog foods purchased at the supermarket and table scraps. These kinds of meals had some deficiencies. Highly processed “commercial” foods for dogs – like those for humans – contain preservatives so they can be transported and stored on shelves as well as large amounts of sugar and salt to add flavor. Both wet food and kibble have been available for decades; cost and preference (of the dogs and the owners) were the determinants of what brands and products made it into Fido’s dish. Table scraps were often nutritious whole foods, such as chicken giblets or pieces of meat. However, we paid little attention to the optimal balance of nutrients.

As our dogs moved “from the barnyard to the backyard to the bedroom,” people became more actively concerned with feeding dogs healthier diets. The veterinary profession followed up on that concern with study into canine nutrition; new pet food companies emerged to offer pet “health foods” that promised to give our dogs shinier coats, improved health, and longer lives. In fact, advances in nutrition are probably a significant factor in the increased life expectancy of dogs: Even twenty years ago, dogs in their mid-to-late teens were rare! Commercial foods got better, and “premium” foods emerged. Made by small, independent companies and claiming to use fresher, whole food ingredients, they cost more, but many vets and consumers believe they are more nutritious than the commercial foods. Safety is a concern, too: The recent pet food scare involved many common mass-produced commercial foods that utilized imported ingredients whose manufacture was not subject to stringent oversight.

Dog training practices have also changed dramatically over the past 25 years, with more trainers and dog lovers employing positive reinforcement methods to teach obedience. These methods make use of training treats for classical conditioning that serves as a foundation for training. Dog treats must now be worked into the calorie calculation.

Those of us who think of our dogs as our “babies” also want to feed them things that look and smell appetizing to us! This has led to trends for home-cooked meals as well as foods packaged as “Country Kitchen” or “Thanksgiving Dinner.” Veterinarians and concerned owners are also exploring the value of returning animals to a diet that proponents argue is closer to the one that non-domesticated animals eat – raw foods. Detractors have two primary arguments: first, that in the 12,000 years dogs have co-evolved with us, both species have adapted to a modern, cooked-food diet, and second, that serving raw foods introduces danger from spoilage and contamination.

Tips for ensuring optimal nutritional health for your dog:
• Consult your vet to about your dog’s proper weight, caloric needs, and any special dietary needs.
• Complementary practitioners can provide additional information. Diet evaluation and advice based on the Chinese Medicine tradition are a standard part of my acupuncture practice.
• Identify trustworthy sources and read up on the advantages and disadvantages of the available food choices for your dog, including convenience, cost, health benefits, your dog’s enjoyment, and your own beliefs and preferences.

Mark your calendar – upcoming event!
On Thursday April 24 from 12 noon-6pm, Pets Unlimited welcomes the Pet Fit tour. Pet Fit is a project of the Alliance for Healthier Pets – Obesity Awareness and Prevention Program, a collaborative effort between Hill’s Pet Nutrition and the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Stop by the Pet Fit booth on the corner of Fillmore and Washington for information about how to keep your pet at an ideal weight, product samples, and coupons for Hill’s foods. While you are here, join us for light refreshments at Winnie’s Center for Holistic Medicine. Animal acupuncturist Daphne Livoni will share information about holistic approaches to weight management and wellness. To take the Pet Fit challenge, visit www.petfit.com.