Even Pets Need Tummy Care?

For many, keeping a pet is more than just caring for an animal; pets are family members, too. We speak to veterinary surgeon, Dr Wafaa Abdul Washefffrom Pets Corner Sdn Bhd, to find out how your pets can stay healthy with a suitable diet

- Eena Houzyama

Her World: How important is to read package labels when buying pet food?

Dr Wafaa: It is extremely important to read and understand pet food labels. The two main bodies that help guide pet food standards are the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) and the European Pet Food Industry Federation (FEDIAF). Package labels show information that we need take note of before deciding which type of food is appropriate for our pets. The labels should contain vital information, such as the list of ingredients, guaranteed analysis on the nutrients, nutritional adequacy statement, and the manufacturer or distributer’s hotline number. Every pet has their own diet requirements according to their life stage and some may have medical conditions, for instance, food allergies.

HW: What are the key nutrients pet owners should lookout?

DW: Basic nutrients that are necessary for a healthy diet should include protein, carbohydrate, fat, vitamins, minerals and not forgetting, water! The different life stages and lifestyle of our fur kids will require different levels of nutrients; this is an important factor that needs to be taken into consideration. For example, a young animal’s diet should contain a higher protein level because they are still in the growing phase, while the diet for a neutered adult animal that stays indoors should be at a lower level of calories compared to an outdoor adult.

HW: Is dry food better than wet food?