Being a pet owner requires great responsibility.
Are you one of the millions of Americans who love their pets, just like you would a child? There is a good possibility you are since the Humane Society of the United States cites nearly 62 percent of households in the United States have at least one pet. With 3 to 4 million cats and dogs rescued from shelters annually, there is also a good chance more than one furry family member calls your house home.
Being a pet owner requires great responsibility. In the United States, this responsibility has grown into more than providing proper shelter and access to food and water. According to the American Pet Products Association, Americans spent more than $50 billion in 2012 on their pets. Providing proper nutrition and veterinarian care, daily access to exercise and love sessions, as well as keeping beloved fur babies free from harm are just a few of the current-day responsibilities pet owners accept (and expect) when bringing a pet into their lives.
If your four-legged companion is of the canine persuasion, here are a few musts when it comes to keeping them well nourished:
1. Offer nutritionally complete and balanced food. If feeding a commercially prepared food, choose one that says, preferably, “Complete and balanced nutrition for dogs based on American Association of Feed Control Officials Feeding Trials” or, minimally, “Meets the nutritional requirements of dogs established by the American Association of Feed Control Officials” according to the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine.
If you prefer homemade meals for Fido, the college simply recommends offering nutritionally complete and balanced meals with recipes developed by a properly trained and experienced nutritionist.
2. Provide fresh, clean water daily. Animals are no different than us— water is the sustenance of life. Just as we require water to nourish our body’s cells, transport nutrients, remove waste and regulate body temperature, so do our pets.
3. Keep them safe from foods that can do harm. The Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine recommends canines stay clear of the following:
Raw meat
Raw eggs
Cow's milk
Liver
Bones and/or cowhide “bones”— chewing them can lead to digestive upset, intestinal blockage and perforation.
Chocolate, coffee and tea
Onions, garlic, raisins and grapes
Baby food— as they may contain onion powder.
Table scraps
To learn more about Pet Health & Safety Month, attend Big Y’s Pharmacy & Wellness Friday: Inform & Inspire event March 21, from 1 to 6 p.m. in all our pharmacy locations. Meet and speak with our knowledgeable pharmacists (pets need medications, too!) and receive tips from our team for building a pet-friendly first aid kit, a dog approved “pupsicle" and more!
Carrie Taylor is the lead registered dietitian nutritionist for the Living Well Eating Smart program at Big Y Foods. Have a nutrition question? E-mail livingwell@bigy.com or write Living Well at 2145 Roosevelt Ave, P.O. Box 7840, Springfield, MA 01102