PAGE 2 - April 2, 2008
The Newscaster/Nature Coast News
Pet Nutrition Q&A
Pet Patrol
Special to The Newscaster by Stacey Braun
QUESTION: I occasionally cook a mixture of brown rice, grated carrots and ground meat for
my dog. Is this safe as an occasional treat; as a steady diet?
ANSWER: I don't believe in home cooking for your pets. One reason is, I don't think you can
duplicate all the necessary vitamins and minerals, or the proper ratios of protein, fats and
carbohydrates, your pet needs. And if you do this occasionally, it can be difficult for the dog
to go back to eating basic dry kibble. An 8 oz. cup of dry dog food contains approximately 350
kcals - less kcals than contained by the mixture of ground meat, rice, and carrots.
QUESTION: Is a diet of dry-food-only safe and healthy for dogs; for cats?
ANSWER: For DOGS, I believe that a diet consisting of only dry food is best, for several
reasons: (1) Adding canned food will entice a dog to eat when he/she is not hungry, causing
obesity. A healthy, well-balanced dog will eat when he's hungry, and walk away from food
when he's not - his appetite is based on how much energy he's expended that day. (2) Dry
kibble has a cleaning effect on the teeth, while canned food causes a build-up at the gum line.
(3) For some dogs, canned food is too rich, and can caused diarrhea. For CATS, canned food
may be healthier, based on the theory that feeding canned food helps flush-out the urinary
tract, preventing struvite crystals from adhering and causing a blockage.
QUESTION: Is it okay to feed my cat an occasional treat of canned tuna; if okay, how often?
I've heard that tuna contains high levels of mercury.
ANSWER: You should never feed human tuna to cats, as the pH has not been adjusted,
which can cause blockages. (You can purchase tuna that has been formulated for cats.)
QUESTION: I keep hearing about holistic diets for pets; what is a holistic diet?
ANSWER: In a way that people can easily understand, it means that the diet contains all
natural, human grade ingredients, although the dictionary definition confusingly states "the
sum of the parts is greater than the whole."
"Mira is a beautiful and lovable s.f. cat. Like many Siamese cats, her personality runs from
QUESTION: What ingredients in pet foods cause food allergies, and what symptoms do you
super sweet, to independent and dignified. She has the air of elegance with downright snob-
see when your pet has food allergies?
bery, intense curiosity, defiant determination, and the attitude of a free spirit. I guess that's
ANSWER: The food ingredient does not actually cause a food allergy, but the protein
why some people admire, respect and marvel at the Siamese cat. Her light blue markings seem
molecule in that ingredient. So, any ingredient with a protein molecule can be the cause of an
to have a touch of Seal tone around the edges, creating quite a mystique. All of our cats have
allergy. The most common symptoms are chronic ear infections, licking of the front paws and
been sterilized, tested leukemia-aids negative, on flea prevention, up to date on vaccines,
redness around the mouth. I'm amazed at how many food allergies go undiagnosed by veteri-
wormed, ID chipped and vet checked.
narians, so we carry several diets at Pets Plus that can stop these allergies.
Adopt A Rescued Pet, Inc. does home visits prior to adoptions, therefore, we can
Stacey Braun, a pet nutritionist and owner of Pets Plus in Dunnellon, received
only adopt to the Citrus County and adjoining county areas. IF you are within these areas,
extensive nutritional training with Ralston Purina, where she worked for almost 10 years.
please, PHONE AARPI. LOUDLY AND CLEARLY REPEAT your name, number, and pet's
For Ralston Purina, Stacey worked over 500 dog shows and consulted on several formula-
name, for a return call from the foster mom, later. 795.9550."
tions. Stacey then worked for Old Mother Hubbard, the manufacturer of the Wellness brand
AARPInc. operates on donations and volunteers, and your donations are tax de-
dog and cat foods, and later for Triumph pet foods, in the field and with formula evaluation,
ductible. We have no paid employees, so all of your donation goes to help the animals. All of
before opening three pet stores (two are located in Connecticut). Pets Plus is located in
our pets are fostered individually, in our homes. Often our older pets need more vet care than
Dunnellon at 11473 N. Williams St., across from Brannen Bank; phone - 352-465-1515.
we dare ask for in their adoption donation requests. Veterinarian costs are skyrocketing. This
To ask Stacey a question about your pet's nutrition: Fax: 1-800-385-6736; E-Mail:
financial gap needs to be filled by public donations, yard sales, an occasional company grant,
newscast@atlantic.net; Regular Mail: Pet Patrol, 19170 S.E. 136 Ct., Dunnellon, FL 34431.
holiday wrapping money raisers, an annual dog walk, or a special raffle.
If you would like to help but don't have the time or ability, you can help with some of
R&M
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS
those vet bills, in order for the rescuers to continue to help more animals, please, send your
donation to AARPI, P.O. Box 1613, Homosassa Springs, FL, 34447. You can make a difference
Rebuilt - Repaired - Resealed
to some.
Complete Auto Repairs
Check www.adoptarescuedpet.com for our other pets and the ADOPTION CALEN-
A/C - Brakes - Front End - Exhaust - TuneUps
DAR with locations, dates and times. Come see the pets!
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(352) 447-2600 - Mon-Fri. 8-5 Sat. 8-12 Closed Sun.
Dumas Veterinary
Randy Alumbaugh
Hospital is now...
155 Heights Avenue, Inverness
Construction, Inc.
Subs, Salads, Soups & More
(352)726-2460
352-447-5015
New Homes - Renovations - Additions
· Annual Exams & Vaccinations
· Digital Radiography
Serving Marion, Levy & Citrus Counties
www.alumbaughconstruction.com
· Microchip Implants
Cash-Credit-Debit Accepted
Animal Hospital
· Health Certificates
Licensed & Insured CRC058012
Mon-Fri 10am-8pm
Your Family's Other Doctor
Plaza 40 Shopping Center
50
Sat & Sun
Office: 352-447-0655 - Inglis
RandyAlumbaugh
Debra Moore, DVM · Ronald Dumas, DVM
20 Hwy. 40E, Inglis
10am - 4pm
Fax: 352-447-3013
Cell: 352-266-7113
Dogs · Cats · Ferrets · Rodents