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Nutritional ImportanceWe've all heard that nutrition is just as important to our pets as it is to the rest of the family. There are several good quality foods available today, so how do you decide which one to feed your pet? Because each animal is an individual, the answer is trial and error - but you can narrow the field significantly. One exceptional line of pet food comes from Natural Life Pet Products. All Natural Life dry formulas are produced in a USDA-approved, certified organic facility. They use only whole meats and Midwest-harvested whole grains. In addition, Natural Life includes chelated minerals, which are up to four times more readily absorbed than commonly used inorganic materials. Many animals that suffer from allergies find welcomed relief when their caretakers switch their diet to one of Natural Life's "Lamaderm" products. Made from New Zealand, free-range lamb, this food includes a wide variety of fat/protein ratios and is available in regular, low fat, puppy, senior and feline formulas. Always an industry leader, Natural Life was one of the first pet food manufacturers to introduce a lamb and rice food, and they remain committed to staying on the leading edge of pet nutrition. In addition, Natural Life also offers a line of foods for animals that don't exhibit allergy symptoms. These foods also are available in a wide range of fat/protein ratios, so there is a variety to fit most every animal. Now, take a look at your individual animal. How old is he? How active? What breed? What's her condition like right now? Is he itchy? Does she have a nice coat? Does he need to gain or lose weight? All these things will play a role in selecting the right food. Next, talk with your veterinarian or other pet professional to determine the optimal amount of fat and protein for your companion. Here's an example. In general, a large or giant breed dog actually may need less protein than his smaller friends will. Although some foods out now specifically say they are for large breeds, you may be doing your pet more harm than good. This is especially important for giant breed puppies. Many researchers and breeders say owners should not feed these little guys (who won't be too little for too long) a food containing more than 22-24 percent protein. The reason is that these dogs grow quite rapidly anyway, and the goal is to slow down the growth as much as possible. This avoids numerous bone and joint problems, which are at the least painful and expensive to treat and, at the worst, crippling and potentially life threatening. Smaller breeds, however, actually burn off more protein because most are more active. Depending on the individual and the breed, some folks actually keep the tiny guys on puppy food throughout their lives. Again, though, it is important to remember that this is not right for every small dog. Once the proper protein level has been established, look for a food that is preserved naturally with vitamins E and C. Stay away from ethoxyquin, a chemical preservative used to stabilize rubber in tire manufacturing. Until very recently, many foods that people considered "top quality" were preserved with this chemical. Many less expensive foods still are preserved with ethoxyquin. The preservatives BHA and BHT also should be avoided. Unless your animal is a senior or overweight, the first ingredient should be meat. Some foods contain meat or poultry meal, others meat or poultry by-products. Meal is dehydrated, clean, rendered meat that comes from animal tissues. By-products include organs, blood, bones, and stomachs and intestines freed of their contents. Neither can contain hair, hooves, etc. Another form of protein is meat or poultry by-product meal. This includes "parts" that don't fit other categories. It still cannot contain hair, hooves or stomach contents, however. Next comes the quality of the ingredients. It's difficult to know which companies are the best, and price isn't always the best indicator (but it does factor in). Something that many people don't realize is that you usually will feed more of the less-expensive foods because the quality of the ingredients doesn't provide enough nutrition. The animal will instinctively eat more to compensate. Therefore, you often can feed a better quality food without a major impact on the budget. In addition, a good quality food generally will help with overall health, meaning fewer trips to the vet. A good indicator of how efficiently the animal's body is using the food is the amount of stool produced. Fewer stools mean more absorption and better nutrition, besides the obvious less-to-clean-up benefit. After you have narrowed the search to three or four foods, the next step is the taste test. The best food in the world won't help if the animal won't eat it. Select a food the animal seems to enjoy and stick with it. Inevitably, animals seem to get tired of one food, but they really don't need the same variety we do. If the dog won't eat, and you continually switch foods, you're sending a signal that if you don't eat you'll get something new. This leads to finicky animals. Always be sure, however, that the animal is just being finicky and the lack of appetite isn't a symptom of a medical problem. If the animal won't eat, pick up the bowl and withhold all food (this means no treats, either) until the next meal. If he or she still won't eat, offer a piece of cheese or another favorite treat. If the dog goes for it, she's out of luck and, again, gets no treats or snacks until the next meal. They may skip one or two meals, but eventually they will figure it out and clean their bowls. If you decide to switch foods, do it slowly. You'll minimize the amount of intestinal discomfort and diarrhea that can accompany a quick change. Also, watch the amount you feed. You should be feeding less of a better food, and overfeeding can cause diarrhea. If you have a dog that has to bend over to eat, raise her bowl off the floor. There are food stands made to fit bowls, but you also can use a plant stand, build a stand yourself or improvise with a cardboard box. It's not only more comfortable for the animal, but it's healthier, too. In general, you should feed the average adult dog twice a day. This is especially important in deep-chested breeds that tend to bloat. Although dogs are definitely carnivores, they can do well on a vegetarian diet. Their bodies are capable of breaking down and using vegetable as well as animal protein. Cats, however, are quite a different story. Cats' bodies are incapable of digesting and receiving nutrition from the majority of vegetable proteins. This makes cat and dog food as different as, well, cats and dogs. It also makes cat food more expensive than dog food. In general, a cat's diet should be comprised of at least 25 to 30 percent protein, almost all of which should come from meat, fish, eggs and dairy products. While protein provides the basic amino acids for muscle and organ tissues, it is important to remember that it also contains a high percentage of waste. This waste must be removed from the cat's system by the kidneys. Fat is well used by the cat's body and does not put a strain on the kidneys. As the cat ages, it's a good idea to decrease his protein level and increase the fat proportionately. The key here is moderation, both in the rate and amount of dietary change. Sudden changes in diet are especially hard on an older cat. Although many cats seem to prefer canned food, they tend to do well with dry food that is left out for free feeding. Unless you have a chow cat, most cats will eat small amounts more frequently, which is a healthier way to go. Dry food also helps to keep dental tartar in check. Most importantly, know your animal and his or her specific requirements. Written by |