Practice News
You Are What You EatMonday 18th June, 2007
Bad teeth ? Overweight ? Has your vet ever told you your cat has got halitosis or your beloved pooch could do with losing ‘a pound or two to fit into her bikini’ this summer ? Chances are they have -70% of dogs and cats have some form of dental disease present and over 50 % are obese!
Usually we can trace your pets problems back to diet. And what chance do you have ? We are bombarded with adverts on TV and confronted with a staggering choice of foods on our supermarket shelves. These brands play on our devotion to our pets and give our pets human emotions, they are packaged and promoted like high quality ready-meals. Fact is if we are seeing these levels of obesity and dental disease we need to ask ourselves –are we really feeding this food in our pets best interest or in ours?
Dogs aren’t people –there you go I’ve said it. They fit into out pack (family) and have evolved into ideal pets –they love routine! –their biology says they should be eating a mixed (omnivorous) diet of meat and vegetation –both hunted and scavenged as well as foraged for. African wild dogs will eat once or twice a week –that’s how they are designed to function. Unfortunately we feel the need to feed 2 or 3 meals a day usually coated in jelly (sugar!!) and full of salt –and guess what he looks up at you and says wow! That was great ! with those big brown eyes –and I’m guessing he’ll get seconds !
Wet versus dry –many people have their own opinion on what’s best but generally a high quality complete dry food and water will suit most dogs. These don’t go off quickly in the summer, can easily be measured in a cup to ensure correct quantities are fed and make those teeth work a bit harder therefore reducing tartar build up and preventing gingivitis (remember nothing beats physically brushing your dogs teeth). Try to get your dog in to the habit of set meal times –once or twice a day –the food bowl goes down for 20minutes and if he turns his nose up at it the bowl goes until next meal time –He’ll soon learn there isn’t an alternative on the menu each day!
Many companies will produce a ‘light’ version of their food –these tend to have higher fibre levels to bulk up the volume of food your pet gets to satisfy their hunger but not put on the pounds –in truth these usually slow weight gain rather than reverse the situation –fat pets are usually not happy pets –obesity reduces activity levels, brings on early arthritic changes in joints and can be a major factor in many disease conditions e.g. diabetes. –At Runnymede and Chobham Road surgeries we run free weight clinics where trained staff use prescription foods and regular check ups to motivate pets and owners to trimmer waistlines –call up for information.
Of course you can treat your dog but why not take some kibbles out of his daily ration in your pocket when on walks or training as rewards or use dental chews as treats. When dogs do lose weight and become more active and less fixated on food owners comment on how much happier they are in general.
It’s a confusing business and there are foods for all different stages of your pets life and some that are even breed specific –Help is at hand –so if you have any dietary queries, please call the hospital for advice, or book an appoinment with one of our nurses.
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