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WSAVA

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What to Feed Fido (or Franny)?

[/trx_title][trx_title type=”4″ align=”center” color=”#434544″ weight=”700″ bottom=”mini”]by Dr. Eileen Savier CVA, CVCH[/trx_title][vc_column_text]

So many choices all claiming to be the best.

So much information, for better or worse, that is “easily” available online.

A long held belief that veterinarians make money from dog food companies by “pushing” their food.

A desire to do what is absolutely best for our pets.

It is all very confusing!

Well, hopefully I can give you a few points to consider when choosing how to best feed your pup…

1. If done with the help and guidance of a veterinary nutritionist, both raw and home cooked diets can be done safely. (The caveat here is that you do need to consult with a veterinary specialist. They will review your pets medical history and help you calculate all the micronutrients, discuss safety protocols regarding food handling and care, and give guidance on when/why the current diet may need to be reviewed. Consultation with veterinary specialist can be expensive, but it is worth it for the peace of mind for yourself and your pet’s primary care veterinarian.)
2. Have you ever looked up food recalls for dog foods before picking a brand? (Yea, we have all done it. I don’t have a problem with seeing that some dog foods have been recalled. There was a problem with ingredients or a manufacturing error, the list goes on. The important thing to note is that the company is telling you when there is a problem and what to do to fix it.)
3. Credentials, product testing, proven success, etc are very important! (Sorry Rachel Ray and Farmer Joe….some type of schooling in the species you are trying to feed is important!)
4. How long has the company you are thinking of buying from been in business?
5. Does the company have a relationship with a veterinarian (specifically a nutritionist) on staff?
6. Are the ingredients on their packaging spelled correctly (yes, we have found products where the amino acids were not correctly spelled on the package).
7. Are you feeding food labeled for the correct species? (For example, do not feed food labeled for dogs to cats.)
8. If you would like the most up to date consensus on veterinary foods, how to pick a good one, and red flags see the WASAVA pet food guidelines and statements.

[/vc_column_text][/trx_section][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1533135180690{margin-top: 40px !important;}”][vc_column css=”.vc_custom_1533134942241{background-color: #d9ae4c !important;}”][trx_title type=”2″ align=”left” color=”#f6f2e4″ left=”20″ right=”20″]About Dr. Eileen Savier[/trx_title][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1533135315368{padding-right: 20px !important;padding-bottom: 30px !important;padding-left: 20px !important;}”]Barks & Recreation is proud to feature Dr. Eileen Savier CVA, CVCH as our Veterinary Blogger in our “From the Vet” Series. Currently part of the team of doctors at Keystone Veterinary Clinic, Dr. Savier is a 2012 Graduate of the Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, She completed her clinical experience at The Ohio State University and after veterinary school she pursued further education and certification in Veterinary Acupuncture, Chinese Herbal Medicine, and Fear Free veterinary visits. Dr. Savier has a special interest in integrative medicine, animal behavior, and internal medicine and is committed to improving animal health care by integrating Eastern and Western philosophies. She enjoys working with fearful & aggressive dogs and cats and she has had additional training in low stress handling techniques and encourages positive reinforcement during exams and procedures. Her clinical interests include pain management, animal behavior, geriatric patient care, and internal medicine. Dr. Savier is a member of the following associations:

• American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA)
• International Veterinary Academy of Pain Management (IVAPM)
• American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP)
• American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior (AVSAB)
• American Association of Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine (AATCVM)
• Ohio Veterinary Medical Association (OVMA)

Dr. Savier shares her home with two (soon to be three) dogs, two cats, and a toddler. She lovingly refers to her two dogs as Coconut Retrievers as they were rescue dogs she brought home from the island of St. Kitts. In her free time she enjoys spending time with her family, going to the beach, and planning her next Disney vacation.

Join us every month for Dr. Savier’s “From the Vet” series to get more information related to the health and welfare of your furry family members![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]