CUT THE SCRAPS!
Opt for Nutritionally
Balanced Pet Food to Prevent Harmful Effects of Table Scraps on Pets
There are a growing number of pet owners
in the Philippines as indicated by a rising trend in pet events and
pet-friendly establishments. Recent market indicators from Euromonitor also
show a steady increase in consumption of pet food in the country from 2005 to
2010, demonstrating that pet owners are now opting for commercial pet food brands
rather than home-made food or table scraps for their pets.
With a growing consciousness on
responsible pet ownership, due in part to various campaigns by the government
and pet welfare advocacy groups, Filipino pet owners are paying greater
attention to the proper care of their furry household companions, most
importantly, pet nutrition.
Feeding pets the right food is a key
component in ensuring pet health and wellness. The Pet Food Institute (PFI), the
U.S. trade association for the makers of cat and dog food, encourages Filipino
pet owners to supervise their pets’ diet carefully and seek professional advice
from veterinarians regarding the overall care of their cats and dogs.
“Veterinarians and animal nutritionists
have determined that table scraps are not balanced meals for household pets,”
said Duane Ekedahl, president of the Pet Food Institute.“When pet owners mix leftovers
into a balanced diet, they can inadvertently add extra calories, throw off the
nutritional balance of the diet, and can even introduce foods that are
detrimental to the pet's health.”
Ekedahl explained that many of the foods
people eat are harmful to pets and can even be deadly, such as chocolate,
onion, caffeine and alcohol. Even if a
type of human food does not contain a harmful ingredient, it may contain too
much fat, salt or spices that can upset a pet’s stomach. While people enjoy variety in their diet,
cats and dogs actually do better on a consistent diet. Switching foods quickly can cause messy,
digestive issues for pets.
Pet nutritional needs are different from
the needs of people, so pets should be fed the appropriate amount and type of
food, not leftovers of food for people.
It is also important to feed products to the type of pet they were designed
for (i.e. cat food only to cats and dog food only to dogs) because cats and
dogs have different nutritional needs as well.
When buying their pet's basic diet, pet
owners should look for products marked “complete and balanced” or similarly
labeled, as they are designed to provide all the nutrition a pet needs. It is
important to use products as they are intended or instructed on the label such
as food for special use or supplemental feeding. Make certain that
the pet has plenty of water to drink and do not overfeed. If for any reason a
pet owner feels that their pet is not doing well on a particular diet, he or
she may want to seek help from a veterinarian or change to another product.
“Good nourishment is important, and with
today's wide assortment of commercial pet foods fully formulated for all stages
of pet growth, it is easy to find well-balanced meals for pets,” adds Ekedahl.
Complete and balanced commercial pet
food has been hailed as one of the 20th century’s revolutionary inventions
that, along with veterinary care, resulted in longer, healthier lives for pet
cats and dogs.
Commercial pet food began in the 1860s
when James Spratt devised a preparation of wheat meals, vegetables, beetroot
and meat, thereby creating the world’s first pet food which his company sold to
English gentlemen for their sporting dogs. Since then, decades of research havebeen
conducted in the area of canine and feline nutrition, resulting in the
carefully formulated products found in the market today that are designed to
meet all the complex nutritional needs of cats and dogs. With just a small can
of food or scoop of kibble, pet owners are able to fulfill all the nutritional
needs of their family cats or dogs.
**Press release from the Pet Food Institute.
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