Q: How important is a meat based diet for my dog or cat?
A: A healthy diet for your dog or cat should be primarily meat based to ensure optimal health. While some pets may suffer from allergic reactions to certain grains, most do very well with a proper mixture of meat and grain ingredients. Grain should not be relied upon as the primary protein source, but one or two high quality grains in the top five ingredients of a commercial food is acceptable, provided meat is the primary ingredient.
Q: Should I give my dog or cat dietary supplements?
A: Good quality commercial foods generally contain all the vitamins and minerals that your pet needs. Although they are sometimes helpful, you should be wary of adding unnecessary supplements to their diet. This can actually be harmful so you should consult your veterinarian before considering any dietary supplementation.
Q: How long should my dog or cat stay on a prescription formula?
A: The answer to this depends on the medical condition being treated. If they have been on a prescription formula more than 2-3 months you may want to explore taking them off it. Many high quality foods do not include ingredients that cause most allergies and may offer better overall nutrition than prescription formulas.
Q: Are "All Life Stage" foods healthy for older or younger pets?
A: Yes. High quality “All Life Stage” formulas with good nutrition will work very well for puppies/kittens or senior dogs/cats provided they have high enough levels of essential nutrients like protein.
Q: What can I do to help with my cat's hairball problems?
A: All cats may experience hairball issues that arise from ingesting hair during the grooming process. The best way to minimize hairball issues is to brush your cat frequently. It can also help to feed a diet with an appropriate fiber level and proper enzymes to maintain a healthy gut.
Q: My cat or dog is overweight, will a "Light" or "Reduced Fat" food help?
A: Possibly. You might also want to consider a low starch/low carbohydrate food that can help control weight, moderately increasing exercise, or limiting intake. Many “Light” or “Reduced Fat” foods actually have a higher grain content which is less nutritious and may be higher in starch.
Q: I heard garlic is toxic to dogs, is this true?
A: Garlic is toxic to dogs if consumed to excess. It is healthy for dogs in moderation. This is much like alcohol to humans in that a little each day improves health but overindulgence is harmful.
Q: Why should I buy the more expensive pet foods?
A: While premium foods cost more, buying a better food will likely save money over time due to the fact that your pet may eat less and may suffer fewer illnesses potentially reducing vet expenditures. The better quality foods also tend to result in smaller stools.
Q: Doesn't it cause digestive problems to switch my dog's or cat's food?
A: If done gradually over 7 to10 days, few pets will have digestive issues with the new food provided it is high quality. Changing to a better food may actually eliminate existing issues due to superior nutrition.
Q: Should I feed a food that contains glucosamine and chondroitin to make sure my pet doesn't have joint problems?
A: While some foods contain supplements such as glucosamine and chondroitin, they are generally not in concentration sufficient to properly treat the condition. Some pets may benefit, but the effects have not been conclusively proven through clinical studies.
Q: Should I feed my cat food that has taurine in it?
A: Absolutely! Your cat cannot produce enough taurine naturally and needs a regular source of it to maintain proper health of heart and eyes. Some studies have shown that taurine offers similar health benefits to dogs.
Q: Should I de-claw my cat?
A: De-clawing is the surgical removal of the first joint of the cat's paw and is generally not recommended except as a last resort. De-clawing your cat is a painful way of dealing with unwanted behavior and can sometimes result in other stress-related behavior problems. We would recommend trying to redirect this natural behavior toward an appropriate scratching outlet as the best solution.
Q: How important is fresh water to a cat?
A: It is absolutely essential that your cat have constant access to fresh, clean water. It should be encouraged to drink as much as possible. Increasing your cat's water intake helps flush the kidneys and urinary system and reduce the risk of urinary tract infections and disease.
Q: Does my cat need wet food or is dry food acceptable?
A: While cats can get all necessary nutrients from dry food, many vets will recommend feeding a small amount of wet food morning and night to encourage eating and increased water consumption.
Q: What are BHA, BHT and Ethoxyquin and should I avoid them?
A: These three are often linked together but Ethoxyquin is generally considered to be the main offender. Chemical preservatives such as these have been linked to liver and kidney dysfunction and are probably best avoided. The presence of these preservatives can be an indicator of lower quality meat and fat sources. Natural preservatives such as Tocopherols (Vitamin E) and Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C) are the most common and are preferred to ensure better long term health.
Q: What kind of food should I feed my puppy?
A: Optimally, you should choose a food for your puppy with protein levels near 30% and fat levels near 20%. With large breeds, a lower fat level (12%-15%) may make sense to ensure that they do not gain weight too quickly for their skeletal system to accommodate. You should also take care to choose a food that meets AAFCO standards for puppies. A food for all life stages may also be appropriate provided it has fat and protein levels in an acceptable range.
Q: Does my senior dog have different nutritional requirements?
A: As your dog gets older or reduces its activity level, it may make sense to change to a food that has different fat and protein levels. We would generally recommend that protein levels remain above 20% but fat levels can be reduced for an older or less active dog to as low as 8 to 12%.