Healthy Foods Mean Healthier Pets Four Steps to Selecting the Right Nutrition for Your Pet!! Would you feed a baby fried chicken? Or eat salty junk food if you had high blood pressure or heart problems? Of course not. You know proper nutrition plays an important role in your overall health—and the same goes for your pet. Understanding the complexities of nutrition goes well beyond merely reading a list of ingredients—your veterinarian is your best source for nutrition recommendations. Too little or too much of certain nutrients can be detrimental to a pet’s health, and the ideal amount varies, depending on life stage, activity level and health condition. “Just like people, every animal has special nutritional needs, and one size doesn’t fit all,” said [name], a veterinarian at [your clinic name here]. “For example, foods made especially to meet the requirements of a growing puppy aren’t appropriate for an older dog whose heart is stressed from age.” Here are four tips to help you select the right nutrition for your pet: 1.) Remember, More isn’t Always Better Remember more nutrients aren’t always better in pet nutrition -- many nutrients are actually toxic in excessive amounts! Every dog and cat has unique nutritional needs based on age, health and activity level. 2.) Know the Six Nutrient Groups As in human nutrition, a body needs nutrients -- from ingredients -- like protein, fat and fiber to function. Ingredients are simply vehicles that deliver this mixture of nutrients to the body. When choosing the ingredients for pet food, keep a eye on the total nutrient balance of ingredients. Here are the six nutrient groups for your reference: • Water: The most critical nutrient for survival. • Proteins: Main element of body tissues like muscles, blood, skin, organs, hair and nails. • Carbohydrates: Provide energy for the body's tissues. • Fats: Absorb, store and transport vitamins, moisturize skin and coat, make healthy pet food taste great and supply energy. • Vitamins: Assist in maintaining an animal's metabolism. • Minerals: Necessary to develop healthy skin and hair, proper skeletal support and development. Minerals are usually abundant in pet food ingredients. 3.) Compare “Apples to Apples” Make cost comparisons on a "per feeding" basis using feeding directions rather than a cost "per bag". This is important because pet foods recommend different feeding amounts based on the amount of energy in their food. 4.) Know your Pet’s Lifestage When selecting a food, make sure the product is appropriate for your pet's age and lifestyle. Feeding your pet properly is more involved than following instructions on a bag or can. Feeding guides should be used only as a starting point, and food amounts must be adjusted to meet the changing needs of your dog or cat. Use a product designed for your pet's age. Ages are broken down into these categories: Kitten/Puppy - up to 1 yr; Adult Cat/Dog - 1-6 years; Senior Cat/Dog - over 6 years. Also keep in mind whether your pet is especially active or prone to gaining weight easily.
	-------------------------------------------------------------- Crisis Checklist for Your Pet In an emergency situation, it’s important to have crisis measures in place ahead of time, for both human and animal family members. Gather this list of emergency contacts ahead of time—it is advisable to be prepared in advance during a disaster warning. “According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, preparing ahead of time and acting quickly is the best way to keep you and your family, including your animals, out of danger,” says Dr. Griffith Haber, a veterinarian at  Murphy Road Animal Hospital.  “That’s why we encourage pet owners to prepare their list before disaster strikes.”   Here are 16 important elements to have on your emergency list ahead of time: 1. First, make sure you have two waterproof folders with your contact information and 24-hour contact numbers—numbers where you may be reached (pager, cell phone, work phone). Take one with you in your animal evacuation kit and leave another at home in an obvious location, most likely near your telephone. These contacts can be used by rescue personnel responding to a disaster affecting your animals or by you during a disaster or an evacuation. 2. Your prearranged evacuation site 3. Local contact person in case of emergency when you are not available 4. Out-of-state contact person in case the disaster is far reaching in your locale 5. Your veterinarian and an alternate veterinarian (30-90 miles away, preferable one who provides boarding) 6. Boarding facility (local) and an alternate boarding facility (30-90 miles away). 7. Hotels that allow pets (90 mile radius) 8. Local Animal Control 9. Local Police Department 10. Local Fire Department 11. Local Public Health Department 12. Local Animal Shelter 13. Local Red Cross Chapter 14. Local Humane Society 15. Local Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) 16. United States Department of Agriculture Missing Pet Network (www.missingpet.net) In addition, it’s important to have proper identification on your pet. Make sure your animal’s identification includes rabies and license tags, if applicable, to help reunite you with your animal(s) in the event that you are separated. Identification should provide your name, home address, a phone number where you can be reached, and an out-of-state phone number of someone that you will be in contact with during or soon after the disaster/evacuation. If possible, include your veterinarian's name, location, and phone number.