A9 Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Tryon Daily Bulletin / All About Pets
FOODS PETS SHOULD NOT EAT: All pet owners have given in to their animals’ pleas for table food, but some foods edible for humans can pose hazards to pets because of their different metabolism. Some foods can cause digestive problems and others can cause severe illness and even death. The following are some of the items pets should not eat, either intentionally or unintentionally: • ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES - can cause intoxication, coma and death. • AVOCADO - the leaves, seeds, fruit and bark contain persin, which can cause vomiting and diarrhea. • BONES from fish, poultry or other meat sources can cause obstruction or laceration of the digestive system. • CHOCOLATE, COFFEE, TEA (or other caffeine) can cause diarrhea and be toxic to the heart and nervous system. • FAT TRIMMINGS - can cause pancreatitis. • FISH (raw, canned or cooked- if fed exclusively or in high amounts can result in a thiamine deficiency leading to loss of appetite, seizure and in severe cases, death. • GRAPES, RAISINS AND CURRANTS - contain an unknown toxin that can damage the kidneys. There have been no problems associated with grape seed extract. • MILK/DAIRY PRODUCTS - some adult dogs and cats may develop diarrhea if given large amounts. • ONIONS AND GARLIC - contain sulfoxides and disulfides which can damage red blood cells and cause anemia. Cats are more susceptible than dogs. Garlic is less toxic than onions. • RAW EGGS AND MEAT - may contain salmonella and e. coli. bacteria. • SALT - if eaten in large quantities may lead to electrolyte imbalances. • TABLE SCRAPS (in large amounts) - are not nutritionally balanced. They should never be more than 10 percent of the diet. - source www.peteducation.com
page 9
Pet nutrition
(continued from page 8)
minerals. Pets also have allergies that can be seasonal or non seasonal, such as food allergies. There are plenty of foods on the market today for your pet’s individual needs, whether your pet is overweight, older or needs a specialized prescription diet. Many of these specialty foods and supplements can be found at Nature’s Storehouse in Tryon. Common allergies can come seasonally, such as from fleas, but many pets also suffer from food allergies or allergies of the environment. Dave Conley with Pet Source in Hendersonville said simply taking out cheap grain, wheat, corn and soy from a pet’s diet can help with food allergies. Some symptoms of food allergies can range from skin irritation to drainage in the eyes, Conley said. Another thing to look for in older pets is too much salt in their diet, Jenkins said. Vitamins and supplements are readily available for other pet ailments. For example, Glucosamine is important for pets’ joints and can help with arthritis symptoms in older pets, especially in older dogs. When looking for good cat food, owners should be aware of choosing foods that are healthy for a cat’s urinary tract health. The main ingredient should obviously be meat or fish, but owners should also look for ingredients such as broth, vegetables, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Seeing the word “byproduct” or a long chemical name that you can’t pronounce are the first signs that brand should be avoided, say veterinarians and pet food providers.