nutrition

PETTA LK

Compiled by: Mientjie Kleinhans | Photography: New Africa

truth

The

Things to consider

before feeding raw

A happy dog is ...

...fed a balanced diet.

Is the packaging label of the

prepared food clear enough as to what the ingredients

and the nutritional values are? Does it feature the Pet

Food Industry Association of Southern Africa (PFISA)’s

logo on the label? If not, the manufacturers might not be

a member and then you may want to reconsider

feeding your pet that specific food.

raw

If you are considering

feeding a raw diet, ensure

that you thoroughly wash

your hands, work surfaces

and utensils after handling

raw meat.

When you buy ready-to-eat raw

food you also have to consider the

manufacturing process.

Was the food prepared in

hygienic circumstances?

How is it stored?

Homemade –

freeze meat or

poultry until you

are ready to use it.

You love your pets and only want the best

for them, and one of their basic needs

is quality food. With so many options

to choose from, the decision of what to

feed is not easy. So many pet owners are

talking about the health benefits of going

raw with their pets’ diets. But before you

jump onto this bandwagon, consider the

following points.

“The feeding of raw diets is currently

a very popular trend with many people

claiming that their dogs are thriving

on it with healthier coats and skin and

fresher breath. Raw diets typically

contain meat, bones, organs, raw

eggs, vegetables, fruit and some

dairy. However, there are a few

potential risks that people need

to keep in mind,” advises

Dr Andrea Prigge, veterinarian

at Silverfields Veterinary Clinic.

“This sort of diet is not

scientifically balanced and

does not contain enough

calcium and phosphorous

which is needed for bone health.

Diets high in liver may also supply

too much vitamin A which can lead

to toxicity if fed for prolonged periods.

Because raw diets are high in protein,

they aren’t appropriate for dogs with

late-stage kidney and liver failure. It is

also not advisable for puppies as they

need calcium and phosphorous for

bone growth,” explains Dr Prigge.