Of all the precautions we take to ensure our pets’ health, one of the most critical (and sometimes confusing) is selecting a proper diet. Given the variety of breeds, ages, sizes, medical conditions, and personalities in our pet population, a whole host of factors go into determining which food is right for your pets. Complicated further by dozens of brands, price levels, nutritional claims, and quality guarantees, the process of managing a pet’s diet can feel overwhelming. Trust us…we get it!
It’s not even easy to figure out which diets are safe and healthy. Many of the brand marketing campaigns and manufacturer-sponsored “articles” can be hard to trust. Pet nutrition recommendations from less-than-credible sources pop up everywhere. The rising popularity of grain-free pet diets actually prompted an FDA investigation that has established links with serious canine heart conditions (https://www.fda.gov/animal-veterinary/news-events/fda-investigation-potential-link-between-certain-diets-and-canine-dilated-cardiomyopathy).
Here at the EWVH, we have decades of experience sorting through the facts on pet nutrition, and we’re anxious to help you select safe and appropriate diets. Keeping current on the research is vital, of course. Dr. Zacharia recently attended a lecture on pet nutrition given by veterinarian and nutrition researcher Dr. Craig Datz. If you are looking for unbiased information on diet options, Dr. Datz recommends the following non-industry-sponsored websites:
http://www.petnutritionalliance.org/
http://www.wsava.org/nutrition-toolkit
http://talkspetfood.aafco.org/
https://www.fda.gov/animal-veterinary/animal-health-literacy/fdas-regulation-pet-food
Don’t hesitate to reach out if you have concerns about your pet’s diet.