The Chilliwack Progress Friday, April 24, 2015
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PETS - AIREDALES TO ZEBRA FISH
what should you feed your pet?
T
Meghan & Chai - an adoption success story. P. 18
here is so much choice when it comes to choosing pet foods that it can become very confusing. Everyone you talk to will surely give you advice, but learning a few basics before you shop can ensure you make the best choice for your pet (and your budget). Kibble is the most popular, so what makes a good kibble? Look for foods with no by-products. Although any part of an animal has some nutritional value, when listed as a “by-product” we are unsure of WHAT by-products and what quality is included, so it’s best to avoid them altogether to be safe. You should avoid foods with chemical preservatives. Chemicals like Ethoxyquin are also used as pesticides, plus BHA and BHT are possible cancer causers. These chemical ingredients are used to increase the shelf life of pet food but are completely unnecessary for nutrition, so avoid those completely. Ingredients like meat meal, animal fat and animal meal are other easy ones to skip as they don’t even tell us what animal they came from… Yuck! Corn is probably the most controversial ingredient out there. Corn is an inexpensive carbohydrate and like all carbs is necessary in the production of kibble. Corn comes in many different forms like corn gluten meal, corn meal, corn etc. Corn is usually found in the
grocery store pet foods because it helps keep the price down, the more corn the less meat. There seem to be a lot of dogs with weight issues and itchy smelly skin issues that are on a food high in corn ingredients. Even some of the more expensive foods on the market have an abundance of corn these days. The second or third ingredient of a good pet food should be fresh meat. If the second item on the list of ingredients is corn… steer clear of this one. A low price does not always mean a good value. Always pay attention to how much you feed your pet. A feeding guideline lets you know how nutritious a food is as they base the guideline on how much your pet will need to eat to obtain maximum nutrition. If Food A costs $25 and claims 4 cups of food will feed a 50 lb dog and Food B costs $40 but claims only 2 cups are necessary; you will save in the long run with Food B as you’re using half the amount. The bottom line is: pets are a captive audience and eat what we give them every meal, every day. It’s an important decision and worth doing some research. Once again, check with your veterinarian or your favourite pet store. With files from Reuben Koreman, owner operator of The Scruffy Tail Pet Food and Supplies Ltd.
Did somebody say ADOPT? The Fraser Valley Regional District is currently looking for people interested in fostering or adopting dogs in our care. To learn more, please call us today.
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Friday, April 24, 2015 The Chilliwack Progress
K YOU THAN Chilliwack!
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eghan Stewart is having a lot of fun mountain biking lately. And taking road trips. And skiing. And swimming. Well, anything sporty and outdoorsy, really. That’s partly because her new activity partner is so much fun. The pair do almost everything together these days, which is pretty great, considering how they met. Chai, Meghan’s new buddy, was a shelter dog. Chai is Stewart’s second shelter dog. The first came from an SPCA in the Kootenays where Stewart, 31, lived before moving to the local area four years ago. Both have been amazing dogs. “Shelter dogs are awesome!” she says enthusiastically. Stewart says she knew Chai would be great for her because she did her research. “It’s important that you know what kinds of dogs would be the best fit for you and your lifestyle. If you need help figuring that out, the C.A.R.E. centre can help.” Stewart visited the C.A.R.E. Centre in Chilliwack a few times to meet different dogs, and Chai really stood out each time she went. “She wasn’t barking loudly, and didn’t seem anxious. She was reserved, and her breed was a good fit for what I was looking for, based on my research.” C.A.R.E. is the Community Animal Response and Education centre, run by the Fraser Valley Regional District, and there are always a number of dogs at the centre waiting to be adopted at any given time. The C.A.R.E. centre has a small, but dedicated staff, who is hoping to raise the profile of their potential adoptees. Chai is a 2-3 year old Border Collie/Sheltie mix. Stewart describes her as affectionate and loving,
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energetic and social. Chai loves being around other people and dogs, and is well-behaved around small children. “She’s a real crowdpleaser,” exclaims Stewart. When asked if she has advice for other prospective adopters, Stewart says, “Take your time and do some research.” The C.A.R.E. foster-to-adopt program provides the perfect way to introduce a new pet into your home and family. “It’s important to keep in mind that a dog may be anxious and timid, or panicky in a new environment at first,” Stewart explains. “Give them time to adjust. You may notice a big difference in their personality and behaviour once they’ve had a chance to settle in and relax from the stress of a move and adjusting to a new home.” If you are considering a new furry, family member, adoption might be just the thing for you. You can contact the C.A.R.E. centre in Chilliwack by calling their toll free line at 1-844-495-CARE(2273), or by email at adoptadog@fvrd.bc.ca.
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The Chilliwack Progress Friday, April 24, 2015
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ne of the most common concerns for pet owners is they can’t get their pet to eat with any degree of consistency. Thus they have a “finicky pet”. Labelling a pet as finicky is a common mistake for both pet owners and the pet food industry as a whole. Being “finicky” is treated like a personality disorder in pets and it’s usually farthest from the truth.
So what can we do? First remove the “finicky” label! Next we need to support the digestion and immunity. We need to kick start your pet’s system. Digestive enzymes, pre and probiotics are a must (especially if your pet has been on n any antibiotic treatments recently) and can be found in many quality pet supplements. Tripe and pumpkin are really good tummy settlers. Smaller food portions can work wonders as well. Instead of two cups all at once try two or three smaller meals. This gives them a chance to digest a little at a time. Slow feed bowls and
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Many of these pets follow the same pattern. Eat well one day and poorly for the next few; they eat excessive grass, can be gassy etc. So often people try a new food and the pet likes it for a week or two and then it won’t even look at it. Sometimes these pets can be prone to issues like yeast infections, poor coats, or dry itchy skin among others. Or possibly they have an allergy to an element in their food.
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PETS - AIREDALES TO ZEBRA FISH
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