|
Veterinarians agree that pets are living longer, healthier lives since the use of commercially prepared pet foods became widespread. Decades of research have gone into the development of pet food to make sure the special nutrition needs of pet dogs and cats are met.
Question
Can I feed cat food to my dog?
Answer
Dogs and cats each have special dietary needs and should be fed the appropriate pet food. Cats should not eat dog food because it does not provide all the essential nutrients a healthy cat needs. In short, dog food is designed to meet the nutritional needs of a dog and cat food is designed to meet the needs of a cat.
Question
Should dogs and cats be fed a vegetarian diet?
Answer
Dogs prefer a diet that includes meat. Cats, in particular, need meat, which provides certain amino acids which are not available from the vegetables in their diet or they can become very sick. Just like people, dogs and cats need protein in their diets and the meat ingredients in pet food are an excellent source of that protein, as well as vitamins, minerals and energy.
Question
What does "complete and balanced" mean?
Answer
Unlike most foods for people, many pet food products are designed to be the sole source of nutrition for a pet dog or cat. Products that are labeled "complete and balanced," as defined by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO), have been tested to make sure they meet the complex nutritional requirements of a healthy dog or cat.
Question
At what age should I switch from puppy/kitten food to an adult formula of pet food?
Answer
Just like people, pets grow at various rates based on breed, diet, exercise and a number of other factors. Follow the feeding instructions on your puppy and kitten food to determine when to switch to an adult formula. Some products are designed to meet the nutritional needs of dogs and cats at all life stages so no change in food is necessary. Make sure you read the feeding instructions carefully so you do not feed too much or too little food. If you have questions, consult with your veterinarian.
Question
I've read in some advice columns that I need to give my pet vitamin supplements, is this necessary?
Answer
If you are feeding a "complete and balanced" pet food, supplementation should not be needed and could even be dangerous. Pet food is formulated to provide all the nutrients a healthy pet needs. Pets should only be given supplements or medicine of any kind after a consultation with your veterinarian. Some supplements may even contain ingredients that could make your pet sick and using human drugs to treat animals can cause more harm than good. Pet owners should not give their animals vitamin supplements or home remedies designed for people.
Question
What does it mean on a pet food label that a product has been tested using animal feeding trials?
Answer
There are two ways a pet food company can test the nutrition of its products. One method is the use of standardized animal feeding trials, designed by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO), to make sure their products meet the complex nutritional requirements of dogs and cats. The animals in these tests are fed the food for six months and are closely monitored to make sure they stay healthy. A product using this test will have language similar to the following on the label - "Animal feeding tests using AAFCO procedures substantiate that Nancy's Food for Dogs provides complete and balanced nutrition for all life stages."
Question
What other tests are done to make sure the pet food is good for my dog or cat?
Answer
In addition to feeding trials, many companies also use the nutritional profiles developed with the help of feeding trials to make sure their products meet the requirements of dogs and cats at their various stages in life. A product using this test would have language similar to this on the label - "Nancy's Food for Dogs is formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles for all life stages."
Question
I read in a magazine that onions can be very bad for dogs and cats. Is this true?
Answer
Yes, onions can be toxic to dogs and cats. In dogs, onions can cause a
fatal anemia and it does not matter if the onions are raw or cooked. A
small amount of onion can harm a small dog - the larger the dog the larger
the amount it takes to make a dog sick. Cats too can get very sick and even
die from consuming onions. For that reason, pet owners should be careful
that their animals don't eat onions.
Question
I heard that raisins and grapes can be bad for dogs. Is this true?
Answer
Yes, grapes and raisins have been linked to kidney failure in dogs. Veterinarians are not sure how many grapes or raisins it takes to be a problem or if they only cause problems in some breeds of dogs. Just to be safe, raisins and grapes should be avoided. However, grape pomace should not be confused with grapes. Grape pomace is source of antioxidants in some pet foods and is safe ingredient.
|
|
Other Consumer FAQs
Proper Nutrition
Product Names and Labels
Regulation and Testing
Feeding Guidelines
Ingredients
Homemade Food
Additional Topics
|
sm.gif)
