With so many different–and often conflicting–messages about nutrition for animals, simply shopping for pet food can prove a daunting task. Below are a few resources compiled by Pet Health Pharmacy to sort out some of the complexities of choosing a healthy diet for your pet.
CAN DOGS HAVE BACON GREASE?
When pets constantly eat rich and fatty foods it can cause inflammation of the pancreas gland. The pancreas is responsible for releasing digestive enzymes in the stomach so that the body can properly absorb and digest food that is taken in. When this gland becomes inflamed, it ceases to function efficiently.
DO ANIMALS HAVE THE SAME TASTE AS HUMANS?
DO PETS NEED MULTIVITAMINS?
When it comes to pets, feeding them a nutritionally complete diet–as is the case for most commercial diets—should meet their vitamin needs. There are a few situations when vitamin supplements may be beneficial, but there are also times when they may cause harm.
FEEDING THE CARNIVORE IN YOUR CAT
Commercial products do not always account for cats’ individual differences or special needs. During your cat’s lifetime, his nutritional needs may change greatly. Kittens, juveniles, pregnant or lactating cats, mature cats, and those with health problems each require different amounts of food and nutrients.
FOODS THAT PROMOTE EYE HEALTH
A nutritional diet is essential for maintaining pet health and preventing disease. This extends to eye health; many nutrients contribute to healthy vision. Deficiency in these nutrients, however, may have a negative impact.
HOLIDAY TREATS TO AVOID SHARING
The holidays are a great time to celebrate with family and friends, including our furry family. With all the delicious food, it’s tempting to share a bite or two. Unfortunately, there are human foods that can hurt our pets. In this article, PHP Pete lists a few examples of treats to avoid.
MAINTAINING A HEALTHY WEIGHT
Just like their human counterparts, colder weather may lead to cutting outdoor exercise short. Colder weather and shorter days also cause changes in hormone output leading to a lower metabolic rate and the conservation of calories. The tendency to overfeed a pet during the winter will lead to obesity and poor health.
BOOK REVIEW – PALEO DOG
Dogs are “opportunistic omnivores,” meaning that they will eat almost anything, but dogs actually evolved eating prey animals. The Paleo Dog diet excludes all cereals and grains, and processed or synthetic foods. Paleo Dogs eat primarily bones, organ meats, eggs, non-starchy vegetables, and fish oils.
