As the public become more aware of the implications of eating junk food, health-conscious cat and dog owners are also questioning the ingredients of their pet food. Is pet food simply junk food and what are the healthy alternatives?

Nutrition has become an everyday talking point, as we become more aware of the importance of a good diet through programmes such as You Are What You Eat and The Diet Doctors. The ‘Father of Medicine’ Hippocrates, said around 400BC: 'Let food be your medicine and medicine be your food', but do you have the same attitude to what you feed your pet?

In the same way that we are becoming aware of the implications of eating a poor diet, consumers are now realising that pets need to eat well too. With lifestyle and obesity related diseases becoming increasingly prevalent in both humans and pets, heavily processed food is being shunned for healthier alternatives that are more rich in nutrients and free from chemicals.

According to The Grocer Survey, the £1.13bn pet food market continues to thrive, as consumers’ purchasing habits have been reflected in the diets of their pets. Driven by their willingness to spend more money on premium products, ranges have increased to meet demand for quality pet food at premium prices.

Always read the label

Cats and dogs have very specific and unique nutritional requirements. Veterinary experts recommend a diet of good-quality raw or cooked meat, a range of cooked carbohydrates and cooked mixed vegetables. While most commercial pet foods contain some or all of these nutrients, what people may not realise is that most leading brand pet foods contain four per cent meat derivatives and have artificial colourings and flavourings added to them.

Since the imposition of mandatory labelling requirements on processed food manufacturers, consumers can now find the relevant information on each packet or tin, but packaging can be misleading. Customers are often in a hurry and opt for convenience over nutrition.  Nick Thompson who runs Holisticvet, a veterinary consultancy specialising in homeopathy, acupuncture and nutrition for dogs, horses and cats remarked: ‘I think we’ve forgotten about the basics in our drive for convenience. But how convenient is it when, because of eating processed food, your pet develops a persistent itch, eczema, dental problems, smelly breath, an inhalant allergy, colitis, food hypersensitivity, lethargy, a dull or scruffy coat, kidney disease, or rheumatoid arthritis – to name but a few?’ Diabetes is also on the increase and affects one in 400 cats and a similar number of dogs. Causes are still being studied but experts agree that diet plays a substantial part in both the cause of the condition and its treatment.

The Benefits of a Natural Nutrition

Nutrition plays an important part in disease prevention and recovery. Leading holistic practitioners advocate switching to natural feeding to help alleviate chronic conditions in dogs and cats. When pets with health problems are brought to veterinary consultant Nick Thompson, one of the main areas he focuses attention on, is the diet of the animal. He is certain that the health of our pets suffers if fed on poor quality meat and cereal by-products. Once a more nutritious diet is administered, Thompson has noticed a significant improvement.

Nellie, a two-year-old Springer spaniel had been vomiting five days out of seven throughout her life.  Five previous restriction diets had not helped. When Thompson put her on a turkey based raw food diet, she stopped vomiting for good. Bosly, a six-year-old Old English sheepdog was diagnosed with Irritable Bowel Syndrome. All his life, the dog has suffered from continual urges to go to the toilet and bouts of diarrhoea. Four days after Bosly had been on a new diet prescribed by Thompson, he passed his first solid stool. The dog has had perfect bowel movements ever since.

Nick Thompson said: ‘Nutrition is the foundation of good health. We as humans are shunning junk food so why give it to your pet? You’ll notice marked improvements in your pet’s coat and nail quality, as well as a calmer temperament, reduced flatulence and diarrhoea.’

Convenience without the concern

Thompson acknowledges that people often do not have the time or inclination to prepare a meal from scratch. And as the Pet Health Council advised: ‘Home-prepared pet foods require a clear understanding of the specific nutritional needs of the pet. Be aware that it would not be possible to feed your pet a consistent and adequate home-prepared diet without considerable time, effort and expertise.’

Thankfully, healthy alternatives are now reaching the shelves of your local pet store. For those who do not have the time and want convenience without the additives, Nature’s Menu sell a high meat content range of dog and cat ready-to-serve pouch products for all life stages. Nick Thompson remarked: ‘The best alternative after a raw food diet is Nature’s Menu selection of petfood for cats and dogs. The meals are ideal when convenience is paramount, and the real quality speaks for itself.’

Nature’s Menu Petfoods is one of the fastest growing independent petfood manufacturers in Europe. Prepared from fresh cuts of meat and fish, their unique production process involves cooking the meat in the pouch so that all the nutrients are retained. What’s more, there are no added artificial ingredients, colours or flavours. As Thompson noted: ‘Big brand names often manufacture their petfood to appeal to the owner, but I believe the quality and nutrition of the food should come first.’

The Nature’s Menu pet team added: ‘Our pouch products have a high meat content; 60 per cent meat with fresh vegetables and rice for dogs and 70 per cent meat for cats, which makes us stand out from our competitors. With clear, simple and easy-to-read ingredients, you know exactly what you are feeding your beloved pet.’ Sold through major UK retailers such as Pets At Home, a convenient yet nutritious petfood that needn’t be a concern to your pet’s health, is now available in a pet store near you.

It seems clear that if you want a healthy, happy pet, what you feed it really counts.

TIPS FROM HOLISTIC VET, NICK THOMPSON

Top Ten Tips for a Healthy Dog

1. Dogs don’t know where they’ve left their bones - don’t give them unnecessary extras
2. The best exercise for pups is in their local park or garden
3. Almonds, hazelnuts, dried apricots, bananas or pumpkin seeds make nutritious alternative treats
4. The ideal weight for your dog is so that the ribs can be felt, but not seen
5. Regardless of food guidelines, don’t let your dog become too fat/thin
6. Dogs benefit from ‘good’ bacteria such as natural live yoghurt
7. Make sure they get used to eating raw meat products, then just gradually introduce the wings and/or turkey necks
8. Make sure your dog has a check-up once a year
9. Your vet can show you how to help clean your dog’s teeth
10. Scooting on the bum may not be worms but full or infected anal glands.

Top Ten Tips for a Healthy Cat

1. Cats generally manifest illness through their third eyelid that appears from the inside corner near the nose
2. Administer a pill with help of a second person; one to hold the cat’s shoulders while you support the head from above. Tip the head back and open the mouth, and then quickly push the pill, gently over the back of the tongue. Keep the mouth closed until the cat licks its lips and gently stroke the neck
3. For constipation, add a small amount of stewed rhubarb, pumpkin or squash to the food
4. To change a cat from one feeding regime to another, be prepared to change things very gradually over a long period
5. Cats are fussy about drinking water – try refrigerated, mineral or from a fountain
6. If your cat is licking hair away from the top of the tail or in a circle between its’ legs, first check for fleas and infection. Then consider a restriction diet, and if no improvement, it may be stress related
7. Check any cuts carefully – cuts can easily lead to abscesses if cat has been fighting
8. If you suspect your cat has a cold on account of nasal discharge, try warmed food and oily fish
9. Your vet can show you how to help clean your cat’s teeth
10. Be careful not to leave long threads lying around – it can lead to strangulation.