For many people, treating a pet like a human is considered frivolous. For instance, New York Times questioned the launch of Dolce & Gabbana's luxury dog perfume with veterinarians, concluding it is a bad idea. However, the numbers are overwhelming: pets are considered part of the family in almost half of Spanish households.
74% include them in their family photos, and 7% refer to them as children, the pet parent phenomenon, as revealed at Iberzoo + Propet, the fair for pet professionals. There are already more dogs than children, and we develop a deep emotional bond with them. We spend 1,200 euros per year on pet care, according to the National Institute of Statistics (INE). In a market aimed at the nine million dogs and almost six million cats in Spain, nutrition is the top-selling category, followed by health and medications. If we take on the responsibility of expanding our family with a pet, should we equally care about their eating habits?
For Raquel Pavo, a veterinary nutritionist specialized in natural food for dogs and cats, it is an obligation when choosing to remove that animal from nature. "This is stated in the animal protection and welfare law." Amid the debate between supporters of commercial pet food and real food, she is clear. "Dogs and cats have always hunted prey in nature. The alternative is commercial pet food, not natural food."
A dog eating meat and vegetables from a bowl.EM
Commercial pet food, which seems normal or common to us, "has only existed for a little over 100 years," explains the expert. "No matter how good the raw materials used are, they will contain additives, which are not advisable, and often not declared on the label because it is not mandatory." Wet food does not require soluble starch, she clarifies, "but they are subjected to high temperatures that generate compounds dangerous to health." If someone considers making a change, how should it be done? "The quick way is to stop feeding processed food, that commercial pet food, and start directly with natural food." She only recommends this for animals with a strong digestive system, those who adapt well to changes, especially in young or puppy animals: "They have not been eating processed food for long, nor the same specific food." There is a slower way as well.
"For animals that are more sensitive at a digestive level or have been eating processed food for many years, my favorite method is through a soft diet, meaning adding easily digestible, natural, or homemade foods." She suggests replacing commercial pet food with lean meat, such as skinless chicken or turkey, steamed or boiled with some vegetables like carrots or pumpkin. "Dogs are scavenging carnivores and that's why their diet should be based on those meats and supplemented with vegetables and offal. Cats are different, as they are strict carnivores and their diet should be based solely on prey."
Cats and dogs mainly eat meat, according to the veterinarian and nutritionist.EM
Pavo refers to the saying 'we are what we eat' and points out that animals are not so different from us. "Depending on what they eat, they will have a microbiota, that set of microorganisms at a digestive level that will proliferate. They will grow one type of bacteria or another, and based on that, they will maintain skin health, oral health, and even prevent diseases."
The veterinary nutritionist mentions how studies have shown that modern, non-communicable diseases like diabetes or digestive issues do not exist in nature. "This should tell us a lot about the lifestyle habits we have nowadays." However, many pet owners lack knowledge and are unsure about what is most suitable. "Some people think that giving them leftovers, a plate of lentils or a stew, may be appropriate, but it is not at all," she warns.
Therefore, some people will need more guidance than others. It all depends on the knowledge they already possess. "You don't have to hire a nutritionist, but if you have no idea, it is advisable to do things correctly." For instance, when dealing with a health condition that requires a specific and structured diet. "For a healthy animal, basic knowledge is sufficient to provide a healthy diet."
What about treats or snacks? The veterinary nutritionist is not extreme. Pavo believes that since they are an extra in the diet, "it's not really a problem if they are not the most suitable, as long as they do not exceed 10% of the diet." Some treats are better than others. "It is preferable that they are meat-based, single-ingredient foods. They can be dehydrated or freeze-dried and should have the appropriate raw materials, without additives or homemade." We can make them at home by baking liver or meat pieces. "Those would be the perfect treats."
Do animals need supplements? If so, which ones? "Most animals no longer graze, do not see sunlight, eat commercial pet food, and are confined. All of this is reflected in their meat nutritionally." Like humans, opting for grass-fed or organic meat will always be much better nutritionally. Otherwise, there may be deficiencies. "Furry animals usually need iodine, which can be provided by the seaweed Ascofilum nodosum or Kelp. Another supplement could be taurine in cats, obtained from raw meat and is an essential amino acid. However, it is lost when cooked."
Calcium can be obtained from fish bones or small fish like anchovies or sardines, or from meaty bones like chicken necks, wings, rabbit bones, among others, she explains. "Another necessary supplement could be Omega 3 and vitamin D, in case the diet does not include fatty fish or shellfish like mussels."
If the diet includes a variety of meats from different animals, offal, and vegetables with different colors providing various nutrients and phytochemicals, then most likely the necessary nutrients are covered, she concludes.
The nutritionist is not in favor of commercial pet food, which she describes as a processed option.EM
The most important thing is that the meat is fit for human consumption and to take the same precautions as we do for ourselves, she explains. "If it is raw, it needs to be previously frozen." Regarding summer, hydration should be carefully considered because it affects pets more. "Commercial pet food, for example, is a dry food and does not hydrate. Natural food does." Fresh water should be readily available for the pet.
Be cautious about giving them random foods, as many are toxic to them. "Although not entirely clear, grapes have been found to cause kidney disease, onions cause hemolytic anemia, and macadamia nuts are toxic." She does not recommend cereals and legumes, "it is best to avoid them." Cow's milk is also not recommended. "It is better to choose fermented products, such as yogurt and kefir, as they have lower lactose content, which animals do not digest well. Additionally, opt for goat or sheep products as they lack the protein found in cow's milk."
In consultations, Pavo calculates the kilocalories based on the animal's needs. "The percentage will vary between 2% and 4-5% of their weight in dogs, meaning it is multiplied by 2% and 4-5% of the animal's weight and divided by 100 to get the daily grams of necessary food." It is essential to consider if they are active or sedentary.
"A lean dog with high physical activity will require 4-5%, while a more sedentary animal that goes out less or is older and less active will lean towards 2%." In fact, it would be beneficial to play with our cat to make them more active, as they are not taken out like dogs. "This promotes the expulsion of hairballs and feces, stimulating intestinal movements."
In conclusion, Pavo believes that many may find all this too much work. "In reality, it won't take more time than cooking for yourself."