Do you know what your pet is eating? It’s not so easy to keep four-legged family members from testing their taste buds on household items, a new survey of Canadian pet owners reveals.
What’s more, when it comes to the foods pets are eating, there is still confusion in telling good pet food ingredients from bad. The online survey by pet-food maker Petcurean was conducted in August and reached 1,059 Canadian adults who own a cat or a dog. It found that while most pet owners are concerned with the health and nutrition of their pets, they could still be dishing out foods that aren’t good for them or missing out on some that are beneficial for pet health.
As for Fido and Kitty? They have eclectic tastes indeed. Via this survey, pet owners reveal their furry friends have tried to consume a vast assortment of non-food items around the home. While underwear and books were among the most common items mentioned, the list also includes cellphones, used diapers, baseball gloves, car bumpers, hearing aids, TV remotes, Yo-Yos, shoes, socks and jewelry.
YIKES!
But it’s not just the non-edibles that are dangerous for Rover and Miss Boots. Lots of substances pose a serious health risk, including chocolate, grapes, raisins, avocados, garlic and onions. And remember: dogs and bones aren’t a good mix either. “Possible broken teeth, mouth or tongue injuries and bones getting stuck in your dog’s windpipe are just a few reasons why they are a no-no for pets,” says Michele Dixon, a health and nutrition specialist with Petcurean.
On the other hand, the survey found very few people feed their pets cranberries and pumpkin, although they’re two safe food items that are full of nutrition. “Pumpkin is good for your pet’s digestion and is high in Vitamin A and beta-carotene, while cranberries are high in antioxidants and are a good source of fibre, Vitamin C and Vitamin K,” says Dixon.
