MARCH IS PET NUTRITION MONTH! Smart Pet Parents Know a Good, Happy and Healthy Life Starts with the Right Food!
Just a reminder to our pet parents readers, ... "proper nutrition can extend the life of your dog, cat, bird, in fact of all pets". The month of March is officially designated Pet Nutrition Month. Pet owners are becoming more concerned about the nutrition of their pets and studying different options to get this excellent nutrition from commercial brands in stores or natural food made in home. Many options for proper pet nutrition are found in the store aisles, veterinary centers, and pet shops. But, How can you know, which is best for your pet ? Well, bad news... Many of these commercial brands may not be best for your pet and table food or human food as well may not be good either. So, the question is, What should I feed my dog or cat?
Pets, specially dogs or cats are very sensible animals. Like humans, some animals can be allergic or intolerant to many ingredients on food or treats, causing them; diahreas, vomits, skin problem and more... which it all points to your wallet with high Vet expenses. A recent survey by the American Pet Product Association (APPA) reported that the number of dog owners who feed their dog food fortified with vitamins and minerals is on the rise. Also, APPA reported that over 60 million households own dogs and cats. So, introducing unsafe pet foods into the home can potentially expose millions of people to dangerous pathogens and present serious health consequences, particularly for young children. These numbers are alarming! Imaging your love ones, pets and children getting fatal consequences just because of your decision of changing your pets food for something that you thought it was good and it's not! More pet owners are demanding better or high quality food for their pets. They are looking for balanced, nutritious food that is as natural, and additive and pesticide free as possible. More pet parents are following the organic diet for their love ones. But, Is this the real solution?
People should be conscious that not everything in the market works well and that not all what it is said that works well, is true! In my opinion, always ask your Vet for a balanced nutrition food that suits your dog needs. Sometimes, trying to do the best gets you to do the worst. If you are planning to go to the raw diet with your pet, please consider searching for a Vet that supports this style of life or nutrition. Don't try to be smarter than you are, you are not a Vet! So, don't try to give your pet the food that you eat or your diet! As humans, dogs or cats are different... what is good for you or your pet may not be good for others and vice-verse. One thing I can tell you, ideas and information about different food benefits and characteristics grows and changes daily. Realize that what you learned two or four years ago may not be applicable today. So, please be careful and aware of what you feed your pets, a mistaken ingredient or food today, can be a loss tomorrow!
Some Tips for Smart Pet Owners: 
1. Provide a clean healthy water supply. An animal can live for days without food, but needs water replenished daily.
2. Do not assume all dry food or canned food is the same, even if it is formulated for the same “life-stage.”
3. Use your pet food’s feeding instructions as a guideline.
Learn what a pet food name really means.
4. Take a few minutes to scan the ingredient list.
Discuss “enhanced” food claims with your veterinarian.
Paws and Love, Maribel Méndez Send an email to the author of this post, at mmendez@gossippet.com 03/03/2010
