READER'S ROCK LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE VOL 2 ISSUE 4 NOVEMBER 2014 VOL 2 ISSUE 9 JUNE 2015 | Page 8
by Dana Watkins
(NAPSI)—Mealtime can be a great time to bond with your pet.
However, finding the right food can sometimes be a process of
trial and adjustment.
As a nutritionist, I receive thousands of e-mails and phone calls
each year from concerned “pet parents” looking for the right
food for their pets.
While it is very easy to blame the food for problems, in many
cases, it is simply no more than the wrong choice and wrong
application of a food that is really the cause. More often than
not, the source of the problem is not the food but simple
misunderstandings that I call “pet-parent faux paws.” Here are
some examples:
Dirty Dishes: Would you eat off a dirty plate or drink out of a
dirty glass? Feeding and water dishes must be kept clean for the
exact same reasons we as humans clean our dishes. If not
cleaned, dirty dishes become an excellent place for bacteria to
grow.
Toys and Rawhides: Toys and rawhides are often overlooked as
potential causes of problems for pets.
Partially chewed rawhides usually come into contact with
unclean areas and are especially wonderful places for bacteria to
grow and then introduce themselves to the pet upon reuse. Make
sure toys are cleaned regularly and partially chewed rawhides
are discarded.
Battle of the Bulge: An overweight pet has an increased chance
of such health concerns as diabetes, joint damage, heart
disease and more. Many owners think getting a pet to lose
weight is as easy as feeding less. Unfortunately, reducing
the serving size often leaves pets hungry and their body
undersupported. Pet owners should look toward complete
dry diets that offer Weight Management or Reduced
Activity diets to help deliver proper nutrition while losing
weight.
For example, Fromm recently introduced a Weight
Management Gold recipe that provides high-quality protein,
complex carbohydrates to aid in appetite control, and added
L-carnitine to help the body burn more fat and maintain
lean muscle mass.
Any diet should be accompanied with plenty of fresh water
and exercise. Another common mistake many pet owners
make is feeding a pet a weight management food and
overindulging with treats and table scraps. These need to be
eliminated to let the food do its job.
Finding the right food for your pet is often achieved
through trial and adjustment; however, avoiding some
common pitfalls may set your furry family member on the
path toward a long and healthy life.
To learn more, visit frommfamily.com.
Dana Watkins is the Director of Nutrition and Tec