Nutrition 101: Reading Your Pet Food Label

In this season of over-nutrition (I just enjoyed my second Thanksgiving feast in 3 days), it seems appropriate to discuss a popular topic in veterinary medicine: pet nutrition. If I only had a nickel for every time I was asked, "What brand of food should my pet eat?" There is no simple answer, but a brief response is "Whatever your pet does well on that you are comfortable feeding." Now prepare for the long answer...


Actually, there are no answers to this question. I've looked, listened and asked. In veterinary training, professional seminars and published research. And the board certified veterinary nutritionists repeatedly respond with guidelines but never any hard and fast answers. Some rules of thumb for narrowing down your pet food choices are discussed below.


Rule #1: Be skeptical of marketing. I've heard "rumors" that big pet food companies are just out there to make money. Well, duh. A company has to be profitable to continue offering its products and services. I guess the boutique brands that cost twice as much as the traditional brands are in it solely for a love of animals. Right.


Yes, there are times you get what you pay for. And sometimes what you pay for is a pretty package and a guilt-trip. Read on for some tips for sorting through the marketing messages to find a nutritious food...


Rule #2: Find the AAFCO statement on the back of the bag. It's got to be there somewhere. If not, pick a different food. AAFCO is the Association of American Feed Control Officials, a voluntary membership association of local, state and federal agencies charged by law to regulate the sale and distribution of animal feeds and animal drug remedies. Pet food companies submit their foods and/or recipes to AAFCO for nutrient analysis (good) or feeding trials (best). Meeting AAFCO standards means that--among other things--your cat is getting adequate taurine (see the postscript on my Cat Carrier post) and your St. Bernard pup has the nutrients necessary to develop a sturdy skeleton.

Rule #3: Make sure the AAFCO statement includes a phrase about being "complete and balanced." Dry kibble has become the mainstay of most of our pets' diets, so it must contain the right amounts of protein, fat, fiber and other necessary nutrients. Checking for "complete and balanced" is especially important if much of your pet's daily nutrition comes from a can. Many canned foods are actually intended to be fed as a supplement or treat and may not be "complete and balanced" for lifelong nutrition!


Rule #4: Choose a food appropriate for your pet's current "life stage." A diet for all life stages is NOT a good thing! The most expensive foods seem to tout this phrase as a selling point, and it drives me crazy! "All life stages" meets nutritional guidelines for growth and development (i.e., puppies and kittens). A chubby spayed senior dog absolutely does not benefit from puppy nutrition. Juveniles need a formula for "growth and development" and adults need a "maintenance" formula. There is no such thing as a "senior" diet...they are typically just modified adult formulas and may be a good choice for certain minor health conditions in younger pets! 


Rule #5: Don't be suckered into thinking "by-products" and "meat meal" are disgusting fillers.  First let's remember that given an opportunity most felines will feast on mice and dogs will gorge on roadkill. Now that is disgusting! But it is "all natural" nutrition. :-)  


"By-products" are the nutritional parts of the animal carcass, which Americans prefer not to eat themselves (e.g., non-skeletal meat including heart, liver, kidneys, etc.) Many by-products such as liver offer superior taste when used in pet foods. (By-products do NOT include hair, horns, teeth and hooves per AAFCO standards.)  


"Meat meal" (e.g., chicken meal) is nutritional meat with the majority of its water content removed. Meal contains the same nutrients as its whole meat source but weighs less because it is dehydrated. (Meal does NOT contain blood, hair, hoof, horn, hide trimmings, manure, stomach and rumen contents per AAFCO standards.)


Rule #6: Be skeptical of phrases such as "holistic," "gourmet," "human grade" or "organic." These terms have no legal definition in the pet food industry and are primarily marketing terms. On the other hand, a pet food that claims to be “natural” must have no chemically synthesized ingredients (e.g., preservatives or artificial colors), but may contain added vitamins or minerals if stated as such on the label. Please don't ever buy a "preservative-free" pet food. It's just plain rancid. "Natural" preservatives are less potent, so foods preserved this way need to be consumed within 2-3 months of manufacture.


In summary, your average 3-year-old kitty's pet food label will ideally read something like this: "Brand X SuperChow Cat Food has undergone feeding trials to meet the nutritional levels established by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) cat food nutrient profiles for adult maintenance."

Overwhelmed? You want a quick and dirty way to pick a pet food brand? My professional preference is to choose a brand with an equivalent veterinary prescription diet. In the U.S., this means you will be frequenting the aisles holding Iams/Eukanuba, Hill's Science Diet, Purina, and Royal Canin. (No, I do not get a kickback to promote these brands.) As a scientifically-trained person I put more faith in companies that devote substantial time and money to research and development and have internal quality control for ingredients and accountability. With veterinarians and nutritionists on staff, these companies have formulated diets to dissolve bladder stones, cure diabetes* and help kidney failure patients live longer, healthier lives. If these companies can accomplish the delicate balancing act of providing precise nutrition for ailing pets I'm confident they can handle puppy chow.  


* Most diabetic felines suffer from type-2 diabetes related to obesity and related nutritional excesses. Managing weight and feeding an appropriate diet can reduce the amount of insulin needed to control the cat's diabetes -- and sometimes eliminates the need for insulin altogether!  

Deck the Halls -- and Avoid an Emergency Visit to Your Vet

It's a well known fact among veterinary professionals...emergency cases spike around holidays and full moons. As a pet owner you can't do a thing to prevent astrological influences on your pet's health, but you can create a pet-safe holiday environment.

1. People food is not for pets. It's tempting, I know, to share a chunk of turkey or the ham bone with your furry family member. However, gastrointestinal upset ranging from a little diarrhea to pancreatitis, broken teeth, or intestinal infection is the most common veterinary complaint following holiday meals.
2. Some sweets are toxic treats. Chocolate is probably  the most well known toxic sweet; however,the cookie tray and buffet table may contain other less obvious threats to pets. Macadamia nuts, avocado, grapes/raisins, onions/garlic/chives, and goodies containing xylitol artificial sweetener should not be ingested by pets.
3. Dangerous drinks? I'm sure some dogs love to lick the foam off a good brew, but really...alcohol should be kept away from pets. Also keep your pets away from caffeinated beverages such as coffee and tea.  Egg nog (even alcohol-free) is not a good choice for pets either. Fresh water is still the best.
4. Pets and fire safety. Each holiday season fires kill hundreds and cost millions in damages. The warmth and beauty of a flaming candle or crackling fire can quickly turn disastrous in the presence of a curious cat or a wagging tail. Never leave burning candles unattended.
5. Hang the mistletoe up high. Many holiday plants can be toxic to pets. Make sure no one nibbles the holly, mistletoe, poinsettia or lillies in your holiday decor.
6. Tree tip #1: Tinsel is beautiful on the tree but wreaks havoc on the digestive tract. Avoid emergency surgery for your cat by steering clear of this holiday hazard.
7. Tree tip #2: Electric shocks and oral burns can occur when curious pets chew or play with strands of lights. Keep light strands out of reach to reduce the risk of injury and fire. 
8. Tree tip #3: Home-made garlands of cranberries and popcorn may tempt pets into mischief. My darling yellow lab EdGrrr once devoured the natural garlands I draped on an outdoor evergreen for the birdies. Imagine the disaster if he had clambered up our indoor tree! Also the string, like tinsel, could lead to intestinal dangers.
9. Fragile family heirlooms? Like toddlers, pets don't understand how to behave around your precious antique stemware. Best to keep your fragile treasures out of harm's way entirely.
10. Gift trimmings are not cat toys. Ribbons, bells and other pretty trimmings can be choking hazards or cause intestinal blockage if swallowed. Plus it spoils the surprise if Fluffy inadvertently unwraps the gifts under the tree!

Heeding these holiday warnings does not mean furry family members have to be left out of the festivities. On average pet owners will spend $46 on gifts for their pets during the 2011 holiday season. Topping the gift list are toys and treats. From experience, I suggest you hide the gift wrapped tasty treats until the appointed moment of celebration or Fido and Fluffy may just help themselves a little early!

The Cat Carrier: Converting a Torture Chamber into a Clubhouse

As pets, cats outnumber dogs by about 10 million in the United States! However, veterinarians see far more dogs for preventative care than cats. In fact, studies show that the number of feline veterinary visits is declining steadily each year.

Why is that? Are cats naturally healthier than dogs? Not necessarily so. It may seem obvious, but it bears saying: cats are not little dogs. They have unique nutritional requirements*, a distinctly feline pysche and their own set of health concerns.

Cats do appear to be more self-sufficient and less high maintenance than dogs. Historically cat owners are used to leaving out enough food and water for a week and provide a box to toilet in. Fluffy's exercise often consists of watching the birds from a sunny window perch. In comparison dog owners must supply Fido with several meals a day, multiple walks outside, playtime and plenty of toys. Cats may seem to require less veterinary preventative care than dogs, but it is not so.

I myself have heard clients brag that their cat has not seen a vet in over 10 years. I'm glad their pet has not been overtly ill, but I cringe inwardly. Cats classically hide symptoms of illness. In fact, hiding is a classic sign of illness in cats. As cats age they are prone to developing dental disease, arthritis and organ diseases like diabetes and kidney failure. Thorough and regular veterinary care allows for early diagnosis and management of many debilitating and life-shortening conditions in cats.

Many pet owners have the best of intentions to provide a high level of preventative care for Fluffy. If only they could get her in the carrier! It's a common problem. I recommend getting Fluffy accustomed to the carrier so that she doesn't freak out when she sees it that one time of year, knowing it means a trip to the veterinary clinic.

Helping Fluffy see the pet carrier as a clubhouse and not a torture chamber requires some time and patience. Most pets actually feel safest in a snug enclosed area, so the goal is to create that feeling about the carrier. Start by getting the carrier out and leaving it out -- not just when going to the veterinary clinic. (Fluffy may have the same negative learned response toward suitcases -- their arrival in the bedroom signals the imminent departure of her favorite humans!)

Next, start feeding Fluffy her meals in increasing proximity to the carrier until she will actually (happily) eat while the bowl is inside the carrier. NEVER close her into the carrier against her will during this acclimation period! You can start sticking her favorite treats in the carrier for her to discover when she explores the interior more closely.  Eventually she may adopt the carrier as a snug hideout making it a lot easier for you--and less stressful and traumatic for her--to get her to the veterinarian for her annual check up.

Yep, I said "annual." Even though most feline vaccines do not need to be given every year, an annual veterinary visit is essential to keeping Fluffy healthy and happy for years to come. Depending on your cat's lifestyle, age and  clinical signs your veterinarian may recommend blood or urine screening tests, deworming or weight management programs. As cat owners already know, cats are not small dogs and require a special touch. But they still do require veterinary care.

* Prior to the 1970s cats ate a modified dog-food formula which was low in the nutrient taurine. Taurine deficiency led to blindness and heart disease in many cats. Since the 1970s, pet food companies have designed foods to meet the unique nutritional requirements of cats.

Snips and Snails and Puppy Dog Tails

I try really hard to follow my own advice about kids and pets, but toddlers move so fast it's almost impossible to prevent disaster sometimes. 

The other day while I was getting ready for work, my toddler starting shrieking in pain down the hall. I rushed out to see our new kitten Larry dropping unceremoniously from my son's arms and a fresh scratch mark adorning the boy's face. My son is lucky that his introduction to claws was at the paws of an innocent kitten who meant no real harm!  

Babies and pets co-exist peacefully in many homes. There are amazing stories of devotion--and even heroism--from dogs and cats toward their human babies. However, I have also seen terrifying and unexpected violence from family pets toward infants. In a particularly gruesome case, a female Golden Retriever grabbed the newborn's head in her mouth and shook repeatedly! Thankfully, the baby survived the incident.  My rule of thumb has become never leave an infant and pet unattended.

For years I have warned clients with small infants not to feel too secure in their dog or cat's love for the new baby. At the newborn stage, Fluffy probably thinks of Junior as a curiosity with his strange squalling, aromatic diaper changes and many accoutrements (strollers and swings, etc.) that make a great place for a cat nap. Once Junior starts dropping tasty tidbits from his high chair, Fido undoubtedly becomes his biggest fan (and gains a few pounds in the bargain). But when Junior gets mobile, WATCH OUT!



Try as I might, I could not keep my pet and toddler
separate 100% of the time (much to the Spaniel's chagrin).



Once Junior starts to move around on his own, keeping him away from the family pets can be a huge challenge. That soft four-legged creature under the table is an awfully attractive nuisance. Often the only solution is strict segregation. Doing so not only keeps Junior safe but also allows Fido and Fluffy to truly relax. (Have you ever witnessed a resting dog warily watching the creeping baby? The dread is almost palpable.) 

I'm full of sage advice regarding pets and kids, but I'll admit not even I could keep my sons from being nipped at by our family dog. Statistics support what I've experienced in my home: dog bite injuries are higher among boys than girls. We used to call our daughter "The Dog Whisperer" because we'd catch her with her tiny cherubic face inches away from the muzzle of our highly annoyed spaniel. This same spaniel did not tolerate the same proximity from our first and third children -- both boys. I think in general boys -- "snips and snails and puppy dog tails -- must be perceived as more dangerous than girls -- "sugar and spice and everything nice." Any dog that feels trapped in a threatening situation (under a table, in its kennel, on a chain or leash) is more likely to bite even if it's not in her nature to do so.

While bites of varying severity happen daily in households across America, I should mention that any animal bite or scratch that breaks skin may require rabies quarantining (even of puppies and kittens).  If you are concerned, ask your veterinarian for advice.