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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72"><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>Keep it simple when deciding best diet for pets <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Nov 26 2015 3:00 pm<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Pet Docs <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The pet food industry seems to be exploding. Offering more options every day to appeal to consumers: vegan, grain free, raw, etc. I (Perry Jameson) am finding more and more, pet owners are asking “what is the best diet”? <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> Unfortunately, there isn’t one “best” diet out there. Every company is a little different as to their philosophy and every pet has different needs. However, there are a few things that I start with when trying to answer this question. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> Does your pet have any specific medical conditions that require a specific diet? Examples of these conditions would be pets who have been diagnosed with inflammatory bowel disease or protein losing intestinal disease. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>These conditions can cause inflammation and poor absorption of nutrients in the intestinal tract. A prescription diet that is hypoallergenic or made with a novel protein source (a protein your pet has never been exposed to such as venison, rabbit, etc) is actually part of the treatment plan. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> Another example would be diabetes. Diabetic patients need to be placed on a diet lower in carbohydrates ikn an effort to keep their blood sugar from spiking. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> Kidney disease is also treated with diet as a moderate protein level, lower phosphorus and supplementation with omega 3 fatty acids has been shown to protect the kidneys. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> Finally, the most common medical condition that a prescription diet is used for is obesity. In these cases, we want to provide a higher fiber diet to create a sense of satiety without adding additional calories. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> If there are no medical problems, I always inquire about what the pet is currently eating and why do they want to make a change. Reasons to change a diet would include failure to thrive on the diet, gastrointestinal signs and sometimes expense. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> When I am evaluating a diet, the first thing I check is to see if the diet is American Association of Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) approved. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> This food label is required on every pet food (not treat or supplement) sold in the United States (unless made or sold only in Arkansas or Nevada). <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> AAFCO approval, with the statement complete and balanced, means that the diet is sufficient for long-term feeding as the sole source of food. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> The approval for supplemental/intermittent feeding means that this diet should not be fed as the sole source of food for an extended period of time. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> Finally, there are some diets that are AAFCO approved for veterinary use only. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> When looking into starting a new diet for your pet and you have found one you like, this is the first thing that you want to check. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> Is the diet AAFCO approved, nutritionally complete and balanced? If so, you are done searching. The next step is to feed it to your pet and see if they like it. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> I am always in awe of people who find the time to consistently cook for their pets. Homemade diets are typically made from a recipe and unfortunately, there is no one regulating this. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> While these recipes can be formulated by a nutritionist, they are occasionally generated by someone claiming to be an “expert.” Therefore, they are not always nutritionally balanced. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> The major concerns with homemade diets include nutritional adequacy. If nutritionally adequate, do not deviate from the original recipe without consulting a veterinarian or nutritionist. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> There are five main parts to every diet: protein, carbohydrate, fat, calcium and multivitamin/trace mineral. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> There should be one part protein to two-three parts carbohydrate (grain) for dogs and one part protein to one-two parts carbohydrate (grain) for cats. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> The protein should come from cooked skeletal meat for dogs and skeletal or organ meat for cats. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> An animal source of fat is the best source for meeting the essential fatty acid requirement and this should be about 1 percent of the diet. A calcium supplement is essential along with a multivitamin and trace mineral source. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> A veterinary nutritionist can be consulted to make sure homemade diets are adequate. These specialists have undergone additional training (residencies) in veterinary nutrition and can be found at <a href="http://www.acvn.org">www.acvn.org</a> or <a href="http://www.aavn.org">www.aavn.org</a>. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> Raw food diets claim to be more natural and in line with what a pet would eat in the wild, but serious complications can arise if the food is contaminated with salmonella or other bacteria such as E. coli. Consultation with your veterinarian is recommended if you choose to feed one of these diets. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> With so many options, finding the right food can be overwhelming. Keep it simple by making sure the food is nutritionally complete (AAFCO approved), fits any dietary needs and most, importantly, your pets like it. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> Dr. Henri Bianucci and Dr. Perry Jameson are with Veterinary Specialty Care LLC. Send questions to <a href="mailto:petdocs@postandcourier.com">petdocs@postandcourier.com</a>.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="http://www.postandcourier.com/article/20151126/PC1209/151129571/1117">http://www.postandcourier.com/article/20151126/PC1209/151129571/1117</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>you can’t count on finding joy and gratitude in every situation or interaction, so you have to bring them with you.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal>Janice Kaplan, The Gratitude Diaries<o:p></o:p></p></div></body></html>