The Free-Feeding Fail

 

The Free-Feeding Fail

As 2020 begins winding down, the puppies and kittens who joined our families when Covid forced us to stay home have begun to mature. For many of us, our lock down routines may be starting to change as well. Maybe our children are back in brick and mortar school. Or perhaps the home office is empty and the commute has returned. As our routines change, our pets' lives will change with them, and disruptions to their feeding schedules often occur. When this happens, many pet owners give up on scheduled meal times and leave food down at all times so their pets can eat at will. Known in veterinary circles as free feeding, this type of feeding schedule often creates far more problems than it solves.

Pets who are free fed can develop behavioral problems and are more prone to finicky eating. This becomes problematic as pets enter the stages of life when long term medical problems become more common. Many health concerns can be managed with supplements or medications, some of which must be given with regularly scheduled meals. Liver support supplements and insulin are just two examples of treatments that cannot be given independent of meals. Additionally, many pets require prescription diets which may not be especially palatable. Pets who lose their food drive as a result of having constant access to food may not be eager to accept such changes. It is therefore always recommended to maintain scheduled meal times as your pet matures, and to remove any uneaten food fifteen minutes after presenting it.

                                        Remove all uneaten food fifteen minutes after presenting it.

Obesity and Pets

October is Pet Obesity Awareness Month. It's also a great time to think about the paradigms that lead us to allow our pets to become overweight or obese in the first place.

We've all seen those pet food commercials where Fluffy races around the corner and skids to a halt in front of a heaping - and I mean heaping! - bowl of food. If you'll pardon the obvious pun, this is a huge pet peeve for me. Other advertisements feature toy breeds plowing into portions that would gorge a Golden Retriever. With these types of images bombarding pet parents' senses, it's easy to see why over 60% of America's pets are either overweight or obese.

In their zeal to avoid becoming victims of marketing, many consumers take what is usually a wise course of action, and read the instructions on their pet's food bag for portion sizes.  However, the suggested portions printed on these bags are usually enough to make my jaw hit the floor. It's important to remember these are only suggestions, and many food companies would rather err on the side of overfeeding than underfeeding. Additionally, pet food companies are for-profit entities. At the risk of sounding like a conspiracy theorist, no pet food company is going to print a label asking consumers to please use less of their product. Generally speaking, I advise my clients to read the recommended feeding amounts on the package, then reduce that amount by roughly 20%. Your veterinary team can best advise you on the best diets for your pet, as well as the portion sizes that fit your pet's individual needs.

Meet Charley, our October Pet of the Month

October is Pet Obesity Awareness Month - and to draw attention to round hound reality, we've asked Charley to be our October Pet Of The Month!

Charley is a six-year-old, mixed breed pound pup with a big heart - and up until recently - an even bigger waistline. Because of his size, he was not a suitable candidate for anesthesia, and he developed severe dental disease. When Charley was adopted, his new mom and dad trashed the treats, changed his diet, and took him for brisk, daily walks. Thanks to their efforts, Charley has lost over nine pounds. That's roughly 22% of his body weight!

Congratulations Charley, and share with all your friends! You're our biggest "loser" - and our Pet Of The Month!

Charley before

Charley after

Meet Tasha, Our March Pet Of The Month!

World, meet Tasha, our March Pet Of The Month!

Tasha is a six-year-old calico cat who suffered from chronic ear infections and itchy skin.  A test for food allergies revealed that her diet was largely to blame for her discomfort.  Once her family changed her diet to one that was free of allergens, her symptoms resolved - and she's back to her feisty self!

Congratulations, Tasha, and share with all your friends - you're our Pet Of The Month!

Hidden Holiday Hazards

Hidden Holiday Hazards

If you’ve gotten into the habit of following this blog, you probably know I’m forever warning pet parents of the dangers posed by holiday treats.  Chocolate is toxic. Fatty foods cause pancreatitis.  I know - you get it. At least I hope you do by now!  But what about some of those dangerous delicacies that aren’t quite as obvious?

One of the most common causes of pet poisoning comes from ingesting foods in the allium family.  If you’re fairly certain there’s no allium in your kitchen, think again.  The allium family consists of onions, garlic, leeks, shallots, chives, scallions, and hundreds of wild species. While these foods provide countless health benefits for humans, they can easily kill our cats and dogs.   Allium ingestion can lead to Heinz body anemia, a condition in which red blood cells are destroyed.  Clinical signs include lethargy, pale gums, weakness, loss of appetite, labored breathing, discolored urine, or collapse.  Cats are more likely to suffer from Heinz body anemia.  Since the culprits are present in so many of our foods, it is easy to forget what can safely be given to our pets.  The most severe case seen at Sabal Chase was that of a Jack Russell Terrier who had helped herself to a spice packet.  Santa had placed a chef’s gift basket under the tree, and while the misdeed had been noticed, the ingredients of the packet were not obvious.  It was not until the pet became gravely ill that her family put all of the pieces together.  While little Macy survived, she required thousands of dollars worth of emergency blood transfusions.  So while it’s the season for sharing, it’s best to refrain from sharing the holiday feast with our four-legged family members.

Macy spent Christmas at the emergency clinic after eating a spice packet.