UNDERSTANDING PET FOOD

Gluten-free diets are increasingly popular in human nutrition and this in turn can influence pet food decisions. What exactly is gluten and why is it found in pet food?

Homemade diets are perceived as healthier to some pet owners, but despite their draw, they may not be complete and balanced for healthy pets.

Raw food diets are popular with pet owners but the nutritional benefits are unproven, and most are unaware of the health risks that raw food can pose to pets — and people.

Probiotic taxonomy can seem daunting to veterinary health care teams and pet owners alike. Understanding taxonomic changes, or changes to the genus and/or species name of a probiotic, can help improve communication with owners about supplements.

Pet supplements are increasingly popular as owners become more aware of the potential benefits.

Vegetarians may choose a meat free diet for many reasons including concerns for health, animal welfare, and environmental sustainability. For similar reasons, some pet owners may wonder if a vegetarian diet is an acceptable option for their pet.

Kelly S. Swanson, PhD, explains the importance of gut health, what dysbiosis means, and the value of using a synbiotic supplement.​

Raw meat diets are popular but may present several health risks.

Following the human nutrition trend, gluten-free foods are becoming increasingly popular for pets.