Feed Your Pet Right

Murphy, an orange tabby, was 12 when he first developed diabetes. Owner Laura Del Rosso began giving him daily insulin shots, but his condition steadily worsened--and his vet warned that he might need more frequent injections. Concerned that her work schedule wouldn't allow it, Del Rosso turned to the Internet.

There, she discovered felinediabetes.com, a website that suggested she change Murphy's diet from a high-carb dry food to a high-protein wet food. Almost immediately, Murphy regained weight and ceased suffering from excessive thirst and urination. Now, two years later, his blood sugar levels show he no longer needs insulin. "Technically, he still has diabetes, but he acts like a kitten," Del Rosso observes.

Cases like Murphy's are surprisingly common, says holistic vet Barbara Royal, D.V.M., of Chicago's Royal Treatment Veterinary Spa. "I've seen dogs and cats recover from digestive problems, allergies, seizures, and behavioral issues with nothing more than a diet change," she says.

Every animal has different needs, but if you follow these general guidelines you can ensure the food you feed your pet improves her energy and wellbeing.

MIMIC YOUR PET'S WILD DIET

Because cats are carnivores, they have trouble digesting plant-based proteins. Dogs are carnivores too, but they're also scavengers, so they can adapt better to some plant ingredients. Still, the fewer grains the better--and it's best to avoid wheat and corn altogether, says Royal. In nature, animals eat uncooked food, which is why a growing number of pet nutrition experts recommend a raw foods diet; ask your vet if it's something you should consider.[pagebreak]

CHOOSE A PROTEIN-RICH FOOD

Both cat and dog food should be at least 30 percent protein, says Royal. Check the label, since even all-natural varieties can come up short. Unless you're buying from a trusted brand that divulges the source of all its ingredients, choose food with muscle meat not meat meal. Meat meal is made from organs and other animal parts and the quality varies greatly.

PICK THE RIGHT FORMULA

If you're home during feedings, serve wet food. Cats get most of their water from food (in the wild, they eat prey with a moisture content of about 70 percent), so a wet formula will keep them from getting dehydrated. Many dog owners think dry food will help combat tartar on teeth, but Royal says the opposite is true: Since most kibble is higher in carbs, it will stick to teeth. If you choose dry food (which can be left out all day), serve a low-carb kibble.

KNOW YOUR CARBS

Common carbs in pet food include corn, bran, spelt, gums and pectin, and soybean hulls (they'll be identified in the ingredient list). If you choose a formula with carbs, look for one made with bran or beet pulp--they're the least likely to cause stomach upset. Barley, sweet potato, and rice are also acceptable choices, says Royal. (Avoid wheat gluten--many of the pet foods recalled in the past contained contaminated wheat gluten.)