I am asked more frequently about the raw diet than anything else, especially on the internet. It is a hot potato with many passionate opinions online, however I believe it’s vital that clients can make an informed decision before deciding to feed this incredibly complex and risky diet to their pets. The FDA, WSAVA, AAHA,…
Food allergies & hypoallergenic diets
Often when pets have diarrhea or a skin condition, people immediately jump to the conclusion that their pet has a food allergy. True food allergies in pets are fairly rare (10% of all allergic pets) but they do happen, and can be diagnosed through something called a food elimination trial. This is a strict diet…
Anal glands: Finding relief through diet
A common issue dog owners encounter is scooting or dogs dragging their bottom along the ground. They do this to try and express their anal glands – these are two scent glands that are at the 4 o’clock and 8 o’clock position on the inside of the rectum that fill with sebaceous secretions similar to…
Probiotics: veterinary, human or DIY?
Probiotics are relatively new to veterinary medicine, despite being regularly used in human medicine and readily available over the counter in most pharmacies – clients are beginning to catch on, and it’s a growing trend to add probiotic supplements or foods such as yoghurt, kefir or raw milks to pets diets. Probiotics are incredibly useful…
Natural isn’t always best
This week, I was flooded with questions and concerns from clients worrying about feeding an “unnatural” diet to their pets. Some had been told by unqualified laypeople that they were doing something ‘bad’ or ‘wrong’ by feeding their pet a complete and balanced commercial diet, because it wasn’t natural. Unfortunately, some of these pets became…
To treat or not to treat?
Everybody loves treats! When selecting a treat for your pet, it can be both very exciting and overwhelming. It’s easy to be tempted to buy whatever sounds delicious and enticing to you, however, there are a few things to consider when shopping for an ideal treat for your pet. Not all treats are made equal,…
Researching pet foods: What to look for
“Is this a good food? What should I feed my pet?” I get asked these questions all the time, and it’s far more complicated than picking up a bag of food! Many clients base their opinion of a food or what to feed their pets on the marketing tactics that are designed to attract owners…
Recalls: the good the bad and the ugly
Every so often, a pet food recall occurs that sends shockwaves through the pet food industry and pet owners alike. Owners panic, call their vets and may even choose to feed unconventional diets because of the fear surrounding recalls – some pet food “rating” websites even use these recalls to rank pet foods, however as…
Investigating Ingredients
An ingredients list can be confusing, overwhelming and scary for many consumers if you don’t know what those words or ingredients actually mean or their actual definitions. It’s fast becoming a marketing ploy for companies to use their ingredient list to sway owners to purchase their product, by simplified, “dumbed down” ingredients lists and scaremongering…
Water – an essential nutrient
Do you know how much your pet should be drinking? Water is essential for life, and is considered a nutrient and functions as a key nutritional factor in many disease states. Coming into summer, pet parents are more conscious than ever of their pets drinking habits and making sure they stay well hydrated is at…
