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The keto diet, the paleo diet, juice diets —
every day, people are coming up with new
and improved fad diets for themselves. As
we embrace new diets and styles of healthy
living, humans increasingly want to share
these trendy experiences with their pets. But
which fad diets and pet food trends are good
for pets and which aren't?
It's important for veterinarians to advise
pet owners on these questions. Here's what
pet owners should know about a few of the
latest pet-food trends and diet crazes.
The Raw-Meat Diet
The concept behind a raw-meat diet is similar to the paleo
diet for humans. Our canine companions were bred from
wolves, so shouldn't they have the same diet as wolves?
Let's find out:
Why people like it: There's some data to support
that going raw can have health benefits, such as shinier,
thicker fur; healthier skin; improved eyesight; stronger
teeth and gums; and higher energy levels. Raw can also
mean homemade, allowing pet owners to be sure there
are no added artificial ingredients that canned dog food
might include.
What they should know: As we know well, raw
meat has a risk of containing unhealthy bacteria and even
parasites. Feeding a pet raw meat at every meal means
an increased risk of pathogens or contaminated meat. In
2012, the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA)
officially advised against the raw-meat diet,
1
stating
that any protein that has not been processed to remove
pathogens raises the risk of illness for dogs, cats, and the
humans who share their home. This becomes especially
true when owners neglect to consult their vet before
switching their pets to a new fad to learn which meats and
nutrients help or harm their pets.
TALKING POINTS ON
3 Pet Food
Trends
Jaime Williamson,
EPiQ Animal Health
