Home & Lifestyle winter 2018

Things to look for when choosing pet food I f you’re weighing up what to feed your pet, the best place to look for information is the packet. Head straight to the ingredients list and check out the first three ingredients listed. A specifically named animal-based protein, such as chicken, beef, lamb etc, should appear here, as this indicates high- quality food. Also be sure to check out the nutrition information panel on the back of the pack, which will indicate the fat and protein levels. You want to be sure that your chosen pet food is delivering the right balance of nutrients and essential vitamins to your pet. Nutrition is such a decisive part of good health, so make sure you’re feeding your pet with their best interests in mind. What makes a high-quality pet food? High-quality pet food is specifically formulated to deliver a balanced and healthy diet to your pet. With premium ingredients and a scientific approach to the balance of vitamins, minerals, fats, proteins and carbohydrates, choosing one of these foods are the right step in taking charge of your pet’s health. As they are vitamin-rich, you know that a smaller serve will deliver maximum nutrition. The science behind the formulation means that you can see guaranteed levels of quality protein, fats and carbohydrates and the levels of dietary fibre are fantastic for promoting digestive health. High-quality pet food also includes omega 3 fatty acids for healthy skin and coat, as well as DHA, which enhances brain and eye function. Add in the fact that high-quality pet foods offer more specific formulations targeting breeds, sizes, life stages and health levels and you have so many reasons to choose high-quality food for your pet. Some high-quality pet foods include Royal Canin, Hill’s Science Diet, Wellness Core and Holistic Select. Visit your local Petbarn for more information.

Feeding your cat or dog raw bones I f you’ve decided to feed your pet raw bones, you should follow the following rules: Never feed cooked bones, Bones are for chewing on - not through, Get rid of chewed bones Bones should only be given under supervision and bone chewing should start in the kitten and puppy phase. Small dogs and cats should stick to chewing on chicken wing tips, for safety. Be sure to ask for ‘dinosaur bones’ for all other dogs. The benefits of raw bones - For dogs and cats, raw bones don’t just offer nutritional benefits. The action of gnawing on the bones is fantastic for tooth and gum health. When your pet chews on the bones, it will massage their gums and clean plaque from their teeth. Not only will it help their teeth, but they also offer extra nutrients that are great for cleansing your pet’s digestive tract. If you give your pet meaty raw bones, they’ll also benefit from the calcium in the bones. The risks of raw bones - It’s no surprise that cats and dogs are big fans of bones but, as pet owners, we need to be aware of some of the risks involved to ensure we keep our pets healthy. No doubt, your pet would be happy to eat raw bones everyday, but there are a number of risks when eating bones. Some pets are very sensitive to bones and can struggle with constipation or diarrhoea. That said, for all pets, too many bones can cause constipation. Then there is the issue of the choking hazard – bones that are too large can cause obstructions that may need surgery. It’s also important to be aware of the high fat content of bones, which can lead to inflammation of the pancreas. There are also increased levels of bacteria due to the raw state of the meat. As we mentioned, pets love bones so, if bones are left lying around for too long, your pet may show aggression to humans or other animals trying to take them. The dangers of cooked bones - You should never feed your pet cooked bones! They can be incredibly dangerous, as once bones are cooked they can splinter when bitten into. Not only is this a worry for the very small splinters, but also for the fragments that may be a choking hazard. It’s smart to remind your whole family of the dangers of cooked bones and, if you’re hosting a barbecue, ask guests not to share any bones with your pets. This will avoid an emergency vet trip.

& Lifestyle Magazine | Winter 2018

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