MAKING PET FOODS AT HOME

摘要

A 2007 survey of pet owners in the United States and Australia reported that non-commercial foods (table scraps, leftovers or homemade foods) were fed as part of the main diet in 30.6% of dogs and 13.1% of cats, and approximately 7% of dogs received at least half their diet as home-prepared foods. Since the time of this survey, interest in feeding home-prepared pet foods has been on the rise. Motivations to switch to a home prepared food vary, but may include increased control over ingredients selected, avoidance of artificial preservatives, a desire to pamper the pet, provide a more wholesome or nutritious diet, or to provide a medical benefit Following the widespread pet food recall in 2007 due to melamine contamination, and more recent recalls due to salmonella, safety is another motivating factor that may lead a pet owner to pursue a home prepared food. Finally, some pets may suffer from one or more medical conditions that cannot be adequately addressed with currently available veterinary therapeutic foods, and may therefore require a home prepared formulation. Whatever the motivating factor or requiring circumstances may be, it is important that veterinarians are able to recognize the potential concerns in feeding a home prepared food, and beable to provide guidance to clients that have elected this feeding style.