5 Healthy Diet Tips for Pet Owners

It breaks my heart to see so many pets come into the animal hospital suffering from preventable diseases usually caused by lifestyle choices, not bodily invaders. While the battle rages on between researchers on the causes of obesity in humans (Is it caused by food addiction? Is sugar addictive? How do genetics play into the problem? Is it a lack of food education or worse- simply bad food choices?) – we are 100% in charge of our pet’s food intake. For dogs and cats and even horses, humans dictate what and when they eat- they have no choice.

After helping obese and underweight pets for many years, I’ve found that some small changes can make a big difference in managing your dog’s weight.

1. Portion control

Most pet owners are guilty of over-feeding their pets. We like to show our love and affection by providing full bowls.  Sometimes we feed more than we should when our animals beg for more. They like the way their food tastes and it is our job to say when enough is enough. If you are not sure about how much your pet should be eating, look on the side of the bag of food for recommendations and talk to your veterinarian.

2. Limit or eliminate snacks

For many years scientists have been debating the causes behind the “French paradox”. This ‘paradox’ is that while the French eat what Americans consider the ‘bad foods’- full-fat dairy, fatty meats, alcohol and carbs – they have some of the lowest instances of coronary disease and obesity in the world.

After living in Europe for a few years, I think I have cracked this ‘paradox.’  The French, like the Poles and other European groups, limit their portion sizes at meals and do not snack between meals.  The culture around their food is one of pleasure and celebration, they don’t want to ‘ruin their appetite’ by snacking between meals.  Processed snacks, while not taboo, are especially frowned upon.

These cultural lessons can be applied to ourselves and our pets. There is no nutritional reason to give our dogs treats or snacks between meals. Pet stores are bursting with fatty, salty processed snacks for dogs and they love them. Their waistlines and their health do not. Small snacks can help while training because dogs are usually very food-motivated. However, these snacks should be very tiny and only given during training sessions.

If you must give a snack or a reward during training, portion control is key. Use a very small piece of raw veggie or fruit, such as carrot or apple. I’m talking the size of your thumbnail. It is low-calorie and just enough to let your dog know that he/she is being rewarded and enjoying a tasty treat.

3. Whole-foods

Whole foods that are less processed provide better nutrition for your pet. Select commercial brands of dog food that list whole-food ingredients such as ‘brown rice’ and ‘chicken breast’ and leave out ingredients such as ‘high fructose corn syrup’ and other by-products. Some dogs that are chronically underweight may have problems absorbing nutrients and commercial dog food just isn’t for them. For these types of patients, home-cooking a diet custom-formulated by a veterinary nutritionist may help them maintain a healthy weight.

4. Incorporate ‘superfoods’

‘Superfoods’ such as sea buckthorn berries, blueberries and sweet potato are great additions to your dog’s diet.  These can be incorporated in small amounts every day for a nutritional boost without adding too many calories. Even if you select a high-quality, whole-foods based commercial pet food, some essential fatty acids like omega-3 and omega-7 need to be supplemented, as processing can diminish the levels of these nutrients. 

If your pet suffers from chronic disease, food can also be medicinal and extremely helpful in the healing process. Talk to your veterinarian about the role that superfoods and supplements can have for your pet’s health.

5. Unusual but nutritious

If you cook for your pet, consider incorporating less expensive but highly nutritious cuts of meat and offal. Talk to your butcher about purchasing organ meats such as beef heart for your dog or cat. Beef heart is less expensive than other ‘choice’ cuts of meat and is packed full of vitamins such as B12, and minerals like iron and high-quality protein.

What are your top diet tips for your pets? Share them in the comments below.