Q&A: Pet Food Recall, Finding Better Foods for Cats and Dogs

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Q: What signs should pet owners watch their dogs and cats for?

There really aren't specific signs. But not eating, increased urination, lethargy, not feeling good, etc. You know when a pet doesn't feel good. But the key indicators are increased thirst and urination.

Q: What typically goes into the conventional, low-end pet foods, those that are cheap in price and quality?

Well, the first word you want to look for on labels is ?byproduct.' You don't want to see that. It can mean chicken legs, wings, beaks, feathers; it's really whatever is left over. The other thing they should look for is a form of meat as the first ingredient. If you see corn as the first ingredient, that's a red flag. It's more of carbohydrate mass, rather than a protein. Animals need amino acids, which they get from protein. I'm a big fan of chicken. I like chicken meal, not chicken by-product meal, but chicken meal, because it's a very concentrated source of amino acids.

Q: For those who would like to switch their pet to a new food, what's your advice for making that transition smooth?

Do it gradually over a seven- to 10-day period. Start out with your original food and add a little of the new stuff. Gradually change that ratio until, at the end of the 10 days, you're feeding all of the new food. Sometimes a little garlic powder helps, something that gives it a little aroma. This is the one time that I'll say you could add a little fresh steamed chicken.

Feel free to share your own thoughts and experiences by posting a comment below. And click here to read about two books that can help you learn much more about pet foods and nutrition.

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