{"id":1201,"date":"2018-06-21T06:08:06","date_gmt":"2018-06-21T06:08:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.zookie.com.au\/?page_id=1201"},"modified":"2024-01-03T10:56:00","modified_gmt":"2024-01-03T10:56:00","slug":"pet-owners-warned-about-pushing-human-food-trends-onto-their-pooches","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.zookie.com.au\/pawesome\/news\/pet-owners-warned-about-pushing-human-food-trends-onto-their-pooches\/","title":{"rendered":"Pet owners warned about pushing human food trends onto their pooches"},"content":{"rendered":"
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While a vegan or raw food diet might sound awesome for you…that doesn’t mean\u00a0it’s right for your pet.\u00a0Sydney\u2019s My Vet Animal Hospital veterinarian and owner, Dr Cherlene Lee, warns pet owners, “Dogs are not human beings and they absorb and process nutrients in a completely different way to us. Whilst these holistic or raw food diets may sound great to you, they can be nutritionally unbalanced or even dangerous to your pets<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\u201cFor example, researchers at the University of Melbourne found dogs that eat raw chicken meat have an increased risk of developing a rare and fatal form of paralysis, polyradiculoneuritis or APN.”<\/p>\n

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Dr Lee says, \u201cFrom a vet\u2019s point of view, a complete and balanced diet that provides all the nutrients at the correct level your dog needs is the best diet<\/strong>. This can be achieved by choosing a dog food that meets the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) standards and passes the AAFCO feeding trial tests.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMuch like clinical trials, a pet food that passes the tests means its formulation has undergone rigorous testing to prove itself. As a result, manufacturers can\u2019t randomly change the formulation as they will have to start the feeding trials all over again,\u201d Dr Lee explains.<\/p>\n

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\u201cForget about the trends, you should always do what\u2019s right for your dog<\/strong>. Every pet at different stages of life requires different nutrients \u2013 a growing puppy requires more calories, different vitamins and minerals compared to a senior dog that has stopped growing. And the diet should be complementary to therapy if your dog has pre-existing medical conditions, say if a dog has pancreatitis, we will recommend a special low-fat diet.\u201d<\/p>\n

For pet owners looking at switching their dogs\u2019 diets, Dr Lee suggests they\u00a0consult their local vet<\/strong>. \u201cThere are so many things a pet owner should take into consideration. Introducing a new diet can be detrimental to your pet\u2019s health if it has an underlying disease. Talk to your vet or even work with a certified veterinary nutritionist before making any decisions.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Dr Lee\u2019s top five basic tips for dog owners when choosing dog food<\/strong> are:<\/p>\n