What to feed your cat or dog: kibble, a fresh-food diet, and "can they have table scraps"

Why there's so much debate around feeding

Food is one of the most common topics among owners. Some are convinced kibble is bad for pets. Others believe a fresh-food diet is best of all. Still others feed whatever's left over from dinner because "that's how everyone used to do it."

The trouble is that a cat or dog isn't a little person. You can't just hand them "healthy home cooking" and call the diet balanced.

Kibble or a fresh-food diet

A good commercial food is convenient because the protein, fat, minerals, and vitamins are already calculated for you. But it's important to choose food based on age, size, health, and your pet's needs.

A fresh-food diet is possible too, but it's not "porridge with meat" or "whatever we eat, the dog eats." The diet has to be put together correctly. Otherwise you can end up with a calcium deficiency, too much fat, and problems with the GI tract, skin, coat, and weight.

If you'd like to feed fresh food, it's best to discuss the diet with a veterinary nutritionist.

Can cats have milk?

Many cats love milk, but adult animals often digest lactose poorly. Milk can lead to diarrhea, bloating, and stomach pain. If your cat begs for "a little milk," it's safer to pick out a special cat treat or talk to your vet about small amounts of fermented dairy products.

Can dogs have chocolate?

No. Chocolate is dangerous for dogs. The darker the chocolate and the smaller the dog, the higher the risk of poisoning. If your dog ate chocolate, don't wait for symptoms. Call the clinic and tell them the dog's weight, the type of chocolate, and roughly how much.

Can you give them table food?

Sometimes a small piece of a safe food won't hurt. But feeding from the table all the time often leads to problems: excess weight, pancreatitis, allergies, diarrhea, begging, and refusing regular food.

Especially dangerous are:

• chocolate;
• grapes and raisins;
• onions and garlic;
• bones, especially poultry bones;
• fatty, fried, or spicy foods;
• alcohol;
• products with xylitol;
• human medications and supplements.

How to tell that a food isn't right for your pet

Possible signs:

• itching;
• red skin;
• dandruff;
• frequent loose stools;
• vomiting;
• excessive gas;
• hair loss;
• constant licking;
• ear inflammation.

But not every itch is a food allergy. The cause could be fleas, ticks, fungus, stress, atopy, or hormonal problems. So endlessly switching foods without a diagnosis is a poor strategy.

How to switch foods the right way

A new food is usually introduced gradually: start with a little of the new food mixed into the old, then increase its share. An abrupt change in diet often causes vomiting or diarrhea, even when the food is a good one.

If your pet suddenly stops eating its usual food, don't chalk it all up to being picky. Check the teeth, GI tract, stress level, pain, and overall condition.