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The ON-LINE edition of our monthly newsletter
About a month ago, our hospital staff found a 55 pound black and brown female rotweiller mix running loose in the street. She was taken in to our hospital and cleaned up, but no one
answered any of the “Dog Found” ads we placed in the newspaper. We named her “Kelly.” [Back to Index at Top of Page]
New Feature:
All it takes is a visit to the pet supply store to be bombarded with pet food recommendations. Some foods are touted to have special properties rendering them superior while other foods are frowned upon. Frequently visiting a different store leads to a total reversal of recommendations. Nutritional hype is everywhere. In an effort to help organize this morass of information, we have decided to include a monthly short feature specifically about pet nutrition. This Month’s Installment: A wealth of information is available on the Pet Food Label but it is practically in secret code to those who do not know what they are reading. All marketed foods must have a “guaranteed analysis.” Here are two samples:
Why Don’t These Numbers Add Up to 100%? Which Food Has More Protein? Not so fast. To compare foods, one has to remember that food consists of water plus the actual nutrients. The water itself does not have any protein. To compare the protein content of two different foods, then, the water factor must be removed before you can acurately compare; that is, the foods must be compared on a dry matter basis only. For example: The Skippy above is 82% water and the can’s net weight is 624 grams. Since 82% of that 624 grams is water, that means that the remaining 18%, 112 grams, is the food. The dry matter is 18% of the total can. The R/D is 11% water, and the bag weighs 9 kg. That means that the remaining 89% of the bag, or 8 kg, is food. Of the total 9 kg bag, 1 kg is water and 8 kg is food. The reason we need to figure out what percentage of the food is water and what percentage is dry matter is because the percentage of protein listed in the guaranteed analysis on the label is said to be “as fed” rather than on a dry matter basis. But since the water content doesn’t contain any protein, to compare the amount of true protein the pet is receiving from the food, we have to divide the “as fed” percentage of crude protein (from the Guaranteed Analysis label) by the percenage of dry matter. The Skippy (above) True Protein content = 8/18 = 44% The R/D (above) True Protein content = 20/89 = 22% It is the Skippy food in this example that has substantially higher protein content. The Moral of This Story Next Month:
Hill’s PET FIT CHALLENGE The best way to make sure your pet is happy is to make sure it’s healthy. Because obesity is the second leading disease in today’s pets, maintaining your pet’s ideal weight (for its age and breed) helps assure the best quality of life possible. You can help your pet avoid many of the health problems associated with obesity by feeding a proper diet and allowing daily exercise. Through proper pet weight maintenance, you’ll extend the health and happiness of your pet.
If your pet is overweight or obese, the program includes proper diet, exercise and behavior goals. Regional and National contest winners will be chosen from contest entries for overweight or obese pets who complete the Pet Fit program and submit “before” and “after” photographs or videotapes. Ask the receptionist for the full details about the Pet Fit program and about the contest. Is your pet fit? Of course, a physical exam from your veterinarian is the best way to find out if your pet is overweight. You can also ask us for a free weight check when you come by the hospital. As a general way for you to determine for yourself if your pet might be overweight, the body condition of your pet can help determine if your pet’s size, weight and feeding schedules are appropriate. Here are some general guidelines (courtesy of Hill’s Pet Nutrition):
For much more information, Hill’s has a special web site specifically set up for their pet fit program at:
On this site you will find information on dog nutrition or cat nutrition, exercise, weight analysis, weight management tips and an interactive weight check, as well as the warning signs to look for to see if your pet might be overweight. There is also more information on the weight management food that Hill’s makes, and statistical analysis comparing their products with other national brands. The web site also has all the rules and details for the Hill’s Pet Fit Challenge contest, and just for fun, you can ask the “Feline Psychic” the answer to any questions you may have. [Back to Index at Top of Page]
WE WILL BE CLOSED TUESDAY, JULY 4th
Happy Independence Day!
Thank-You for our New Referrals Here are the names of our clients who have referred their family or friends to our hospital in May 2000.
Thank you again for your confidence in us. [Back to Index at Top of Page]
WHAT’S NEW ON OUR WEB SITE (since last month) EOSINOPHILIC GRANULOMA COMPLEX CORNEAL ULCER [Back to Index at Top of Page]
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To promote their new “Pet Fit” weight management
program for overweight pets, Hill’s is sponsoring a contest for all who participate. The Grand Prize is a 2 year lease on a 2000 Dodge Durango and a year’s supply of pet food! Other prizes include trips to New
York City, $25 American Express gift certificates, subscriptions to Animal Fair and Pet Fit T-shirts.
