Pleasing 4 Pets

Whether it is for financial or health reasons increasing numbers of pet owners in the UK are considering offering their pet a diet of the home made variety.

But what exactly do animals require in their basic diets?

Anne Tebb, a chief veterinary surgeon at Bristol University revealed:-

“Cats and dogs, like all animals, require six components for a healthy diet. These are water, carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins and minerals. Although cats and dogs are classified as carnivores, their nutritional requirements are different”.

The greatest difference between canines and felines is that cats require a high protein diet, making them poor vegetarians, whereas surprisingly a dog actually requires just 10%.

Both animals also need calories and this should be taken into consideration when preparing pet food at home. In shop bought foods calories are most often added in the form of cereals.

The head of the British Small Animal Veterinary Association advised :-

“Sledge dogs need 10,000-13,000 calories a day, whereas a Yorkie that spends most of the day on someone’s lap would probably need only 1,000. If your pet is gaining weight, then it is either being fed too much or is not getting enough exercise.”

Home made pet food requires careful planning but is perfectly viable with the assistance and advice of a good vet. Recommended ingredients include lean mincemeat, bulgar lecithin, kelp, vegetables in addition to iron and vitamin A,C and E supplements provided by a vet.

The credit crunch has lead to a reduction in spending throughout many households in the UK, and those who haven’t yet curbed their spending are now looking for ways to reduce their outgoings.

According to a study carried out recently the average UK pet owner spends somewhere in the region of £3.50 each week on food for their pets, 50p more than is spent on average per household per person on vegetables and fruit.

From the bog standard meat in jelly ranges to the finest gourmet varieties, the pet food industry in the UK is worth an incredible £1.9billions per year.

It is believed that the further into recession the UK slips, the less likely it is that pet owners will continue to purchase expensive pet foods and will instead offer the pets scraps from the family table and cheaper pet food alternatives.

Many pet owners in the USA, prompted by the dramatic downturn in their economy, and high numbers of pet foods recalled by manufacturers are attempting to produce home made pet foods.

Home produced calorie restricted or organic diets for domestic pets are popular in the United States and there are increasing numbers of pet nutritionists on hand to offer pet owner’s advice on improving their pet’s diet and encouraging the production of home made pet food.

But just how easy is it to produce a good quality home made pet food. One leading vet and pet nutritionist from Bristol University recommended that animal lovers deliberating whether to prepare their own pet food should consult a veterinary surgeon for advice on balancing a their pets diet, and said recently:-

“It is possible to feed pets home-made diets, but there are numerous potential problems that can arise if the diet is not correctly balanced.

In a study of home-made food for dogs, certain nutrients were below recommendations. Ready-prepared, shop-bought food contains the correct amount of nutrients to keep your pet fit.”