Pet Diets Summary

Overview of Pet Diets

  • Pet Ownership Stats:
    • 71.4 million homes (62%) own pets.
    • 77.5 million dogs and 93.6 million cats.
    • Most rely on veterinary professionals for diet recommendations.

Commercial Diets

  • Usage:
    • 93.2% of dogs and cats consume over half their calories from commercial diets.
  • Types: Dry, Moist, Semi-Moist, Raw.
Dry Food
  • Most common type.
  • Contains 3-11% moisture, 89% dry matter.
  • Recommended for free feeding.
  • Economical and supports dental hygiene.
  • Less palatable than other types.
Moist Diets
  • Commonly known as canned food with 60-87% moisture.
  • Cats more likely to receive this diet; typically contains more meat.
  • Higher in fat, sodium, phosphorus; may help prevent obesity and urinary tract infections.
  • Disadvantages include odor, messiness, and limited shelf life.
Semi-Moist Diets
  • 15-35% moisture content.
  • Less common on the market; often used as treats or meal additives.
  • Highly palatable with reduced odor and mess.
Raw Diets (BARF - Bones and Raw Food)
  • Growing market segment.
  • Risk of nutritional imbalance and dental issues (e.g., cracked teeth).
  • Potential for GI obstructions.

Terminology in Commercial Diets

  • Natural: Can include synthetic ingredients.
  • Holistic: No regulatory definition.
  • Organic Designations:
    • 100% Organic
    • Organic: 95% Organic
    • Made with Organic: 70% Organic
    • Human Grade: No official definition, but implies edible by humans; often more expensive.

Home Prepared Diets

  • Less than 3% of owners feed home-prepared diets.
  • Motivations include bonding, personal beliefs, and medical reasons.
  • Nutritional adequacy is a concern; many diets fall below AAFCO standards.

Managing Home Prepared Diets

  • Collect diet history and recipes from pet owners.
  • Assess nutritional components: protein sources, fatty acids, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals.
  • Recommend supplements as needed.
  • Monitor pets regularly (diet history, bloodwork) to ensure health.

Raw Food Feeding Considerations

  • Risk of bacterial infections and foodborne pathogens.
  • Utilize reliable resources for information (e.g., FDA).