Unconventional diets

Home-prepared diet

Raw

Vegetarian/vegan

BEG- boutique, exotic ingredient, grain-free

What are some examples of unconventional diets

Negative press against commercial pet foods

Fear of contamination

Ability to avoid certain ingredients, additives

Desire to improve human-animal bond

Belief that it is what is best for the pet

Personal ethical beliefs

Recommended by family/friend

What are some reasons owners may choose to feed an unconventional diet

no studies have shown substantial specific health benefits for most dogs and cats

What are some benefits of feeding unconventional diets

Nutritional inadequacy

Infectious disease transmission

Dietary hyperthyroidism

Diet-associated dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM)

What are some risks to feeding unconventional diets

Most published recipes do not provide complete and balanced nutrition

Risk of deficiencies and over-supplementation

Profound consequences can be observed in young, growing animals

How can unconventional diets contribute to nutritional inadequacy

Frozen

Dehydrated

Raw-coated kibble

Bones and raw food (BARF)

What are some examples of raw diets

Salmonella contamination

Chicken was the ingredient for 67% of diets contaminated with Salmonella

What is the most common bacterial contaminant in raw diets

Infectious disease risk posed to the animal eating the food itself via contamination

Infection to other animals and humans: preparing and feeding the diet, contact with feces, especially of concern with dogs around people who are immunocompromised

How do raw diets contribute to infectious disease risk

Described in dogs that were fed raw diets

Likely secondary to consumption of thyroid tissue

Also seen in dogs fed certain jerky treats

Resolves when the diet is discontinued

What is dietary hyperthyroidism

Vegetarian diets: no meat, poultry, or fish. Protein sourced from eggs, dairy, soy, legumes

Vegan: exclude all animal products. Protein sourced from soy, nuts, seeds, legumes

What is the difference between a vegetarian and a vegan pet diet

Many OTC vegetarian diets are inadequate for AAFCO amino acid requirements

Many are not compliant with AAFCO labeling recommendations

Some veterinary diets are vegetarian (hydrolyzed soy)

What is the danger with feeding vegetarian diets

Total taurine amino acid precursors (methionine, cystine)

Other ingredients possibly affecting bioavailability- high fiber legumes

Breed-related issues affecting digestion/ absorption

What are some factors that can lead to grain-free diets being associated with DCM

Ideally submit 2 samples: heparinized whole blood and plasma

Submit samples to UC Davis Amino Acid lab

How are taurine concentrations tested

Your client wants recommendations. Don't wait to be asked. Include client in decision-making process

Use reputable handouts and primary literature

How do you handle client communication about non-traditonal diets

Very rare that you will have a case that you cannot find a commercial diet for

Pet with multiple medical conditions

Pet refuses to eat the ideal commercial diet

Owner prefers to feed home-prepared diets

What are some reasons to recommend an unconventional diet

Ensure diet is complete and balanced

Remind client that diet recipes must be followed EXACTLY

What are some important things to consider when allowing a pet to be on a home-prepared diet