Page 10 - Waves April

P
E Pet Food
T
T

Corner Confusion

by: Richard Henderson, D.V.M

erms like grain-free, organic, all-natural, gluten-free, holistic
Tand indoor formula are all over the labels of our pet foods.
Too many choices! What do I buy? What is best for my pets?

In the past few years, there has been growing competition to
capture a share of the billion-dollar pet food industry. Currently,
there are over 1200 different kinds of pet foods and treats available
in stores in the United States. Unfortunately, no unbiased organi-
zation can provide accurate information for consumers regarding
the claims made by the makers of all these pet foods. Fortunately,
though, there are governmental requirements that at least make pet
food manufacturers sell nutritionally complete diets. These re-
quirements, however, do not restrict the addition of fillers, dyes or
flavoring agents by the makers.
We are fortunate to have many fine foods in different price ranges
With so many products out there, it is challenging for veterinarians readily available for our pets. More expensive is not necessarily
to have opinions on the majority of dog and cat foods. We are better than mid-range priced diets.
often asked about foods we have never heard of or with which we
have had experience. We have all seen the flashy commercials with However, with the very cheap diets, you usually get what you pay
beautiful images that tell us we can feed our pets food just like their for. Reading the ingredients on the bag is essential. They should
wild ancestors. Many of the ingredients in these diets are never real- be listed in order of quantity. I feel it is vital that a meat source
ly a part of the wild animal’s natural diet. They are, however, pretty should be the first ingredient listed. This is especially true for cat
commercials that are perhaps lacking all the facts. foods. Cats are obligate carnivores; they use protein not fat or
carbs as their primary energy source. Dry cat food contains more
Other companies are proud to tell us their pet foods are gluten-free. carbohydrates than canned which in excess can be converted to fat
This may be correct, but there are no documented cases of gluten and stored in the body. As the popularity of dry food has increased
sensitivity in dogs or cats, called celiac disease that occurs in people. dramatically since 1970 so has the incidence of feline diabetes and
In fact, only two percent of the human population is sensitive to obesity. Wet cat food, although smelly and messy, is probably closer
gluten, but the food industry wants us to think gluten-free is healthy to a diet consumed by kitty’s wild ancestors. I think dry food might
for all, pets included. have been marketed more for the owners’ convenience rather than
for cats’ ideal nutrition.
Grain-free pet foods are trendy now. They are made without wheat
or corn, substituting white potato, rice or sweet potato as the carbo- For our dogs, a high-quality kibble can provide excellent long-term
hydrate source. Many pets do very well on these diets not because nutrition as well as an aid in keeping their teeth cleaner.
they are grain-free, but instead the foods are made with other
high-quality ingredients. Corn is usually an easily digestible carbohy- With so many choices it is important to find a food within your
drate for the average dog. However, I would rather it not appear as budget that your dog and cat eats well, digests completely and main-
the first or even second ingredient on the label. Only twelve percent tains his or her body in top condition.
of dogs with allergies are actually allergic to a food ingredient. The
majority of allergy patients are allergic to fleas or something in the
environment. Grain-free food will not fix these problems.

Raw diets are also becoming more popular. Many pets enjoy this Richard D. Henderson, DVM
food, but there has yet to be a scientific study to prove there are Galveston Veterinary Clinic
additional nutritional benefits compared to dry or canned pet foods.
Raw products can be quite expensive, must be refrigerated and have 2108 61st Street
short shelf lives. Galveston, TX 77551
409.356.9000

10 | Waves Magazine | May 2019 Issue