Pet Food, More than just a Bowl of Kibble.

The American public is constantly reminded that our diets can affect our hearts, chances of contracting cancer, impact our blood pressure and longevity. Veterinary nutritionists have now taken these concerns to your pet's food bowl.

The pet food industry in the United States is a multi-billion dollar business. Research is conducted to find what combination of ingredients will give a pet a healthy appearing coat, improve palatability and increase shelf appeal for the pet owner. More importantly, research is underway in the emerging field of nutraceuticals (additives that will enhance health), age specific nutritional needs and disease control or cure, and very importantly, fecal odor control.

Diabetes is a disease that affects people as well as pets. Dr. Michael Hayek, presented information at a recent symposium in Chicago, Illinois, demonstrating that by manipulating carbohydrates in the diet, a dog could better regulate its blood sugar and thereby assist in controlling its diabetes.

Fiber is an important component of our diets and our pets. A recently discovered type of fiber called FOS, or 'fermentable oliogosaccharides can assist pets with inflammatory bowel disease and may actually help to decrease fecal odor!

There is a need for fruits and vegetables in our pet's diets. Dr. Robert Kearns has shown that carotenoids, found in these foods, have the potential to decrease the incidence of certain forms of cancer. They appear to influence the immune system by reversing some of the age-related decline found in older dogs.

So what you put in your dog or cat's food bowl is no longer just a matter of what tastes good and fills up it tummy, it can now help to control disease, help it live a longer and healthier life, and this is important because it is "Your Pet…Health Matters."