With so many to choose from, how do you begin to pick a quality diet for your pet?

Start by reading the label. Look for meat as the main ingredient. Meat meal or meat by-products do not compare in quality. Commercial foods add grains to the meat source. Many pets develop allergies to soybeans, wheat and corn as well as preservatives such as BHA, BHT, and ethoxyquin.

There are several available diets without preservatives or fillers, often referred to as holistic foods. Animals that suffer from environmental allergies may benefit from these diets as they may contain Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids to strengthen the skin's immune system.

Follow the recommended feeding guides for proper meal portions. Holistic foods are more concentrated so one feeds smaller portions.

Remember to check expiration dates and store dry food properly in a cool, airtight container. Do not feed cats dog food as it lacks sufficient amounts of the amino acid taurine.

Cats fed strictly a dog food diet can become blind! Cats are obligate carnivores and dogs are omnivores so cats require a very different protein rich diet than dogs. Remember to introduce food changes gradually over a five to seven day period.

Please contact our small animal care team with any questions you have regarding diet changes. Keep in mind that some pets require a prescription diet to manage certain health concerns such as obesity, inflammatory bowel disease, urinary crystals, and diseases of the kidney, heart or liver.

Ask us about the many options available to keep your pet healthy.