Have you ever wondered what defines a nutritionally balanced diet?
It is the combination of all foods ingested by an animal to provide energy that, combined, ensures that the specific nutritional requirements are being met for the body to function optimally.
Each species of animal will have different nutritional requirements and will need different types of food in different proportions. Most commonly, a nutritionally balanced diet will include water, fibre, carbohydrates, protein, fats, vitamins and minerals.
Speak to your vet about a suitable nutritionally balanced diet for your pet.
Raw diets are becoming more popular among pet owners. In general, the same guiding principles for choosing a brand of food apply to raw foods, including:
- Ensure the pet food has been registered with the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) – look for the ‘V’ number on the packaging, followed by ‘Act 36 of 1947’ – this will ensure that the technical advisor has reviewed the formulation and ensured that it meets the pet’s nutritional needs.
- Be sure to feed a complete diet, that is made up of all the nutrients that are required by the pet.
- Purchase a pet food brand that suits your budget, opting for the best quality that you can afford.
- If your pet has a medical or health ailment that can be addressed through his diet, purchase a pet food that has been formulated to treat that issue (chat to your vet for guidance).
- If your pet is not performing optimally on a specific brand of food, or is reluctant to eat it, shop around – you are, after all, spoilt for choice. Just ensure that you make gradual changes, over a week or two, so as not to upset the gastro-intestinal flora.
Due to the raw nature of the food, pet owners are advised to pay extra attention to the storage of the food and the cleaning of the preparation space, bowls and utensils, to avoid contamination or development of potentially dangerous bacteria and pathogens.
By: Dominique Kuhlmann, general manager, Pet Food Industry Association of Southern Africa (PFI)
