Background: Pet owners in Florida recently went through two hurricanes in two weeks (Helene and Milton). Here in Florida we are taught to be prepared for hurricanes, including preparing for our pets. I found that some pet owners, while trying to prepare for our two hurricanes, went back to pet food for their pets (from feeding fresh food) before the hurricanes. They believe that their pet should have a balanced diet for every meal, and that a highly processed complete and balanced diet (kibble) is better than their pet eating an unbalanced diet.
I did not agree with these beliefs, so I went to the experts for their opinions.
My question to them is: If there is one thing that prevents a pet owner from having a balanced pet food to feed their pet, and all they have is eggs or hamburgers and some vegetables to prepare for their pet… how long can a pet eat an unbalanced diet without worrying about health concerns? A week? Two weeks?
Dr. shared with me. Donna M. Raditic DVM, ACVIM (Nutrition), Board Certified Veterinary Nutritionist veterinary posts regarding allergies in pets where pets are fed an unbalanced diet for 2-3 months (to confirm an allergy and/or confirm non-reactive ingredients). As in this post sent to me by Dr. Raditic the author (Dr. Wendy Brooks DVM) states “Most veterinary dermatologists recommend 8 to 12 weeks, which is a long time to be strict with the diet, but that’s the only way to see food allergic dogs..”
Dr. shared Raditic that he has worked with clients (pets) who have severe adverse reactions to food “by starting with one protein, then adding ingredients one at a time to get them to a complete and balanced diet over months. But it’s over with my supervision.” In other words, long-term unbalanced diets should be done under veterinary supervision.
Dr. shared Karen Becker is something I personally have never thought of: “You just mentioned the AAFCO feeding trial.” (What a wonderful thought!)
When a pet food manufacturer wishes to formulate their products beyond meeting the AAFCO Nutrient Profiles (for a complete and balanced pet food), they conduct a feeding trial. The trial lasts for six months during which blood tests are performed at the beginning and end of the trial, with only minimal requirements that need to be met in those blood tests to pass as a complete and balanced diet. Dr. shared Becker that usually, in a small feeding trial, all eight dogs or cats survived the six-month trial with some nutritional deficiencies; “with the most noticeable symptom being a really poor hair coat/excessive shedding.”
Dr. continued. Becker on “Veterinarians routinely suggest a bland diet (for intestinal issues) or an elimination diet (for allergies) between one and three months, again, knowing that there will be nutrient deficiencies that will build up of a nutrient dense meal plan at the end of the trial. My limit for my clients is one month.”
Don’t try this at home…
Dr. Judy Morgan and Dr. Laurie Coger both shared stories of clients who fed unbalanced diets to dogs for “year.” One had a client who fed their dog hamburgers and peas, and another had a client who fed their dog a breakfast sandwich in the morning and shared a human dinner every night. Both vets say pets are amazingly resilient, and both discourage anyone from trying this long.
Dr. shared That’s Morgan “canned sardines mixed with eggs” is a good replacement meal that is pretty close to balance. And shared “We’re trying to get people to stock up on dried foods and some bottled bone broth or water to rehydrate it” for emergencies.
So…the consensus of the experts is…
Try to be prepared for an emergency. Have stored food such as dried or dehydrated food in storage (replace every six months). But if you are caught, please know that you do NOT need to feed your pet a complete and balanced diet every meal every day. Based on information shared by experts, in an emergency – you can give your cat or dog an unbalanced diet safely for a week to ten days.
If you don’t have electricity, choose canned meats and fish (look for low sodium without sauce), and eggs for protein. Vegetables can be given to dogs raw or you can use canned (but again, low sodium).
And even if it’s not an emergency situation, know that you can feed your pet an unbalanced diet often without worry.
Another personal story: Andi Brown, the author of The Whole Pet Diet and the founder of Halo Pet Foods (which she is no longer affiliated with – when Andi owned the company it was a human grade canned pet food, now it is feed grade pet food) in the same area of Florida as I do. We’ve met for lunch a few times (yes, to talk about the pet food industry) and once he brought his dog. We were sitting outside in the patio area of a restaurant, and with his lunch – he ordered a plate of scrambled eggs for his dog (just plain scrambled eggs, nothing added). The waiter doesn’t understand…what? Eggs for your dog? After repeating the order several times, he begs to go to the kitchen to deliver the order. When the food was delivered, Andi put the plate of scrambled eggs on the floor and her dog enjoyed his lunch as we enjoyed ours. Although I knew the dog was safe to eat fried eggs, other patrons of the restaurant were surprised.
While a balanced diet is VERY important, Short-term feeding of an unbalanced diet is completely safe. Educate yourself on what foods to avoid, pay attention to sodium levels in canned foods and do your best in emergency situations.
Wishing you and your pet(s) the best,
Susan Thixton
Pet Food Safety Advocate
Buyer Beware of Author, Co-Author Dinner PAWsible
TruthaboutPetFood.com
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