FOOD FOR THOUGHT

I read an interesting and exciting article in my local paper about Australian consumers calling for pet food to be regulated. Finally !  although I wonder why it has taken this long. A letter signed by 22,338 Aussie’s was sent to the Federal Agriculture Minister calling for safer pet food.

Apparently, it follows on from the Pet food industry and animal welfare groups calling for the introduction of mandatory standards after a spate of animal deaths and illnesses due to toxic pet food. I believe that so many of our dogs that are experiencing gut health issues stem from pet food and its ingredients. Of course, we as dog lovers would not knowingly buy “bad” food but the article goes on to say the companies selling floor sweepings and waste materials from the human food industry get away by claiming its complete and balanced or species appropriate. They then use imagery of fresh wholesome foods so you think you are buying your best friend a healthy balanced diet. In particular, the kibble foods, you wonder what process the food goes through from its original state to the end product. There also needs to be a push for clear and honest labelling and regulations that helps us as dog owners to be better informed and make it less complicated. For those of you that try to feed a low fat diet, we all know how difficult it is to try and work out the real  Fat content off a label when you take out the moisture content. I know when I had to do this with Marlo, it was so confusing and always had to ask someone to double check my calculations incase I got it wrong. How good would it be to read a label with all the “true” figures there in front of you.

I’m starting to see a lot more raw diet foods appearing in the Australian market and I know a good friend of mine has recently converted from kibble foods to a raw food diet for their Westie, Gavin and he was always a very fussy eater and dinner time was always an issue as to whether he will eat his dinner or not. Now that he is on a raw diet I’m told he loves his dinner and can’t get enough of it. It’s a great feeling to see you dog thoroughly enjoying their meals and most importantly healthy and with no tummy issues.

When the time comes for me to get another dog and I am sure Marlo will send me the right doggie at the right time, I certainly will feed raw or will get into the home cooked meals. I really believe that this is a much healthier option and easier for the dog to digest. But that’s just my opinion and certainly not saying that this is the right thing for all dogs but dogs with tummy issues don’t do well on commercial pet food or kibble. Towards the end of Marlo’s life when his flare just did not resolve itself, the Vet put him on the “specialised” tin food specifically formulated as low fat easy to digest but if you have ever seen the look of the food it is not appetising at all, no smell that would entice a sick dog to eat so of course, he would not eat it.

I would love to hear your story of the types of foods you feed your dog, in particular if they are going through a flare and I would really love to hear of foods you feed that are produced in Australia. If you home cook, would love to see some recipe’s, so please go to my Pet Parent Community facebook group and lets share information and ideas.