Show Notes

Show #: 06-103

Show Description: “Health, Wellbeing & Nutrition”

Audio Files: ATVR-06-103.mp3, ATVR-06-103.wma

This week’s Ask The Vet Radio showcased information about health, wellbeing and nutrition. Dr. Tracy Dewhirst, along with two expert guests, discussed these topics in detail as well as took various pet questions from callers.

Show Notes & Resources:

• Stephen Payne, from the National Pet Food Institute discussed with Dr. Dewhirst what is in pet food, how it is regulated and the role the Institute plays in the pet food industry.

The Pet Food Institute is a trade association that represents 98% of US companies that sell dog  and cat food made in the US.  They do a lot of work in consumer education, veterinarian education, and trade information for these companies.

The standard association labeling on pet foods is AAFCO which is an acronym for The Association of American Feed Control Officials.  This Association is made up of state level officials who are responsible for pet food regulations as well as officials from the FDA who ensure the safety of the food. AAFCO is not a policy maker, they set the guidelines and present them to state officials in order for the officials to enforce and put the policies into state law. AAFCO sets forth guidelines for pet food to insure labeling is consistent, has the correct ingredients and follows the nutritional guidelines necessary to keep dogs and cats healthy. .

Regarding specific formula foods (i.e.hairball ingredients, joint formulas, sensitive stomach formulas)  Pet food companies have to substantiate claims on these specific foods and according to Stephen Payne  if a customer has a question regarding the specific ingredients, there is contact info on the packaging. The manufactures are happy to talk about their foods and to customers.  Also, certain additives for joint health have been tested by individual companies however the FDA has not approved them as being effective. 

The most important part of purchasing food for your pet is to look for a food that is complete and balanced.  This will ensure that the food will meet the nutritional needs for your pet.  Different foods have different attributes.  Find a food that is within your price point, and that your cat or dog will eat and enjoy. For more information:
www.fda.gov/cvm/petfood.htm
www.aafco.org

• Dr. Joe Barges, Board Certified Nutritionist, University of Tennessee School of Veterinary Medicine,
  Question for Dr. Joe Barges from Dr. Dewhirst: Are their certain ingredients we should look for and are there ones that are not good for the pet?

  Dr. Barges explained that `the difference is there are many foods that are acceptable, where there are those that are better because they are more digestible It comes down to adequate nutrition and optimal nutrition according to what is best for the specific animal.

  Vegetables added to specific foods (i.e. cat foods) may be great for some cats that do particularly well on high carbohydrate diets where others really require high protein foods.  It basically comes down to the specific needs of your particular cat and how the cat reacts to the diet they are on.

• A caller phoned in a question about why his puppy eats other dog’s feces?  The Drs. suggested  feeding the puppy a bit more because being a puppy his metabolism is very high and eating the feces may be because the puppy is hungry. Another suggestion is to reward the puppy when they are disciplined to not eat the poop and reward the puppy with small treats.

• More advice on nutrition was offered when a caller asked why his 55 pound pit bull has diarrhea consistently.  She is very healthy eats well and has been under a vets care.  Her diet has been changed, however still has the problem.  Dr. Dewhirst suggested a thorough blood and fecal culture that may detect a parasite in her intestinal tract.  Dr. Barges suggested that  one thing to consider might be a food allergy that can be diagnosed with a biopsy. 

• Dr. Dewhirst was interested in Dr. Barges take on the new “raw diets” being introduced for pets.

  Dr. Barges explained that he had concerns and he saw three main issues with the diets:

  1. Incomplete and unbalanced nutritionally
  2. Infectious Disease possibilities and spreading
  3. Food contains bones and whole bones which can be a hazard to the pet.

  Overall risks are greater than benefits right now.

  visit www.vet.utk.edu .