What you do today will have an effect on your pet’s future. This includes your choice of pet food. Following the tragic and fatal events leading to the pet food recall in 2007, more pet parents have chosen to pay attention to the ingredients of the food they are dispensing. Now, faced with the recent FDA reports that popular chicken jerky treats made in China could be causing severe illness in dogs, even more consumers are reading the label. So how do we keep our pets safe and fed? Some have chosen home cooking for Felix and Fido. Others are buying only pet food and treats manufactured in the U.S., with the thought that the ingredients and processing are better monitored and therefore safer. I know of a number of people opting for home cooking, including people purchasing dehydrators to make their own chicken and other protein-sourced jerky treats. Even the most superior dry kibble and canned wet foods are highly processed, eliminating much of their nutritional value. Because of this, I generally avoid adding them to my dog and cat’s menu plan. Basing my choices on safety and quality nutrition, I occasionally serve my pets unseasoned home-cooked meals, but mainly feed them minimally processed raw meat-based pet food, along with fruits and vegetables. As a representative of the healthy pet-food industry, I hear some people remark that they do not feed a raw or home-cooked diet because of higher costs. When calculating everything together, however, you may find that it is less than you think! Since these meals are not as processed as dry kibble and canned products, your pets will receive a much higher level of nutrients per ounce of food. This will leave them more fully nourished and satisfied at the end of a meal. Feeding healthier, more nutrient-rich foods is also a way to prevent some health issues, reducing veterinary costs down the road. Some medical conditions arise due to poor nutrition, so what you invest in your pet’s diet now can end up saving you money later! Another argument I hear from pet parents is that it takes too much time and work to prepare food or handle frozen raw diets. Because people’s lives today are so busy, their hesitancy is not surprising. With so much information and help now available, however, making these healthy dietary choices for our pets is easier than ever. If you are unable to make a full-time switch to one of these nutritional paths, Samantha Sarsilmaz, owner of the Point Loma Pet Pantry (www.pointlomapetpantry.com), stresses the importance of “adding freshness” to your pet’s diet. Adding fresh, lean, unseasoned raw or cooked meats, vegetables and fruits greatly increases the amount of accessible nutrients in your pet’s diet, whether it is daily or on occasion. Of course, the more frequently you add fresh, nourishing ingredients, the greater the benefits. With so many people turning to alternative feeding practices, there are pet food and treat recipe books available, as well as other resources to assist the home cook. Kelly Bolken, dog behaviorist, nutritional consultant and owner of Paw Country holistic pet store in La Mesa (www.welcometopawcountry.com), says, “A good guideline for home cooking is 65 to 95 percent meat (including organ meats and ground bone) and the remainder, fruits and/or vegetables.” Kelly continues, “I rotate around between green beans, carrots, sweet potatoes, pumpkin and sometimes I add a little quinoa for added protein when I am low on meat. You can use just about anything. When home cooking, it is essential to add calcium if ground bone is not included. The other two supplements that are required are EFAs (fish oil) and a multivitamin. I rotate my multi between several products, including bee pollen, Positive Health, Animal Essentials Multi, Animal Essentials Green Alternative, and I also use diatomaceous earth and/or kelp for their myriad minerals and other health benefits.” In addition to fresh home cooking and the use of supplements, Kelly, Samantha and I are all supporters of feeding a raw diet to pets, including our own. This is the best and easiest way to ensure they are getting the nutrients needed. There are many brands of raw pet food formulated into complete meals, adding varying amounts of fruits, vegetables, vitamins and minerals. The food comes in pre-measured patties or nuggets, cutting down on preparation time. It is also available in bulk form, allowing pet parents to measure out their own desired quantities per meal. Researching the different brands of raw frozen pet food and their ingredients can help you make the most informed and healthiest choice for your pets. Please note that not all brands of raw diets are complete meals in and of themselves. Checking company websites and gaining information from informed staff members at healthy pet stores and other holistically focused professionals are encouraged. Feeding raw diets formulated into complete meals by health-conscious pet food companies can take a lot of the guesswork out of proper feeding. The home cooking route can take more thought and care to ensure your pets are getting the dietary balance they need. Additional supplementation and vitamins can benefit any animal, regardless of diet, depending on their individual needs. In addition to learning about needed supplements, when home cooking it is essential to stay up to date on what “people foods” are acceptable and safe and which are not. Chocolate, onions, chives, fried and fatty foods, as well as those seasoned with salt and other potentially dangerous and unnecessary additives top the list for most popular pet species. Some pose threats to some animals and not others. Grapes and raisins can be fatal, while dairy products can be problematic, causing digestive issues. Garlic and avocado are others to avoid, although small amounts can be found in some pet foods and supplements and might be OK in those forms. Caution is still advised, however, since each animal’s sensitivity level varies. The bodies of pets differ, just like ours do. Visit the ASPCA website for current information regarding food and household safety for pets (www.aspca.org). With so many different and often conflicting philosophies regarding pet care, the bottom line is always what I am personally comfortable with. The same is true for you and all consumers. We ultimately need be consistent advocates for our companion animals, doing our own research and implementing what is best for their unique, individual needs. If you have pet nutrition or other animal care or behavior questions, I welcome your emails at [email protected].