Pets have an immeasurable impact on family life: they make us laugh, get us outdoors to appreciate fresh air and love us no matter what kind of day we’ve had. Our bond with them is strong, which is why most owners understand the importance of diet in keeping our four-legged friends healthy for the long term. In the last few decades, pet food has become a multi-billion dollar industry as owners prove that price is no object in the quest for optimal nutrition for their furry companions.

The pet-food industry presents owners with a staggering range of options. The lack of regulation, however, means the best choice for your pet is not always so clear. The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) works to develop and implement uniform and equitable laws, regulations, standards and enforcement policies for the production, distribution and sale of animal food and this certification on commercial pet food means that it meets a minimum standard for safety and nutrition. Until recently, the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA) also had a voluntary certification program.

Consumers only need to think back to the 2007 melamine problem to appreciate the importance of quality assurance. At that time, it was reported that the addition of unhealthy additives to the pet food supply chain killed hundreds of animals from sudden renal failure and felled thousands more with severe renal disease. The actual numbers will never be known.

In many ways, the melamine crisis accelerated the popularity of alternative diets. Raw-food diets and organic diets have also gained in popularity, as has home cooking for pet owners who want to select ingredients or feed their pets a vegetarian diet. Pet owners began to worry that you get what you pay for with pet food and that cheaper commercial diets contained fillers and preservatives. Some good that emerged from the 2007 recall was a heightened awareness among commercial pet food companies that consumers value product credibility and traceability. As a result, many manufacturers now source only North American products and supplies.

We are all left with questions, however. No studies have evaluated the benefit of organic pet foods versus commercial brands. Claims that raw food provides the most “natural” diet for your pet remain controversial. There are health risks from raw food, including salmonella and antibiotic resistance, and hygiene is essential to ensure your safety and that of your pets. All we know at this point is that the best nutrition comes from higher-end commercial brands.

Owners often ask what kinds of snacks are healthiest for pets. It’s fairly common knowledge that chocolate products can make your cat or dog very sick. Onions and garlic, which can cause a serious type of anemia, are also hazardous. Recently, grapes and raisins were cited for causing sudden kidney failure. Canned tuna should not be a staple of your cat’s diet. Tuna canned for people contains an enzyme that destroys Vitamin B₁ (thiamine). While the mechanism for action is not always fully understood, you should be cautious and keep these foods away from your pets.

Top Dog Treats

• apples

• carrots

• cooked rice

• celery

• cooked egg (small amounts occasionally)

• cooked plain pasta

Kitty and Doggie Don’ts

• chocolate and chocolate-based products

• coffee and coffee-based products

• fatty foods, such as bacon, fried foods and cheese products

• garlic and onions

• grapes and raisins

• macadamia nuts