Dogs don't know about nutrition
By STEVE DALE Special to the Times
Published March 29, 2007
Q: Please settle this family dispute: Is it true that dogs won't eat beets because they have no nutritional value?
A: Beets do have nutritional value - lots of vitamins and some protein, according to Dr. Amy Dicke, a technical services veterinarian with an interest in nutrition at Iams pet food company. Beets in a jar are filled with preservatives and they're salty, but fresh beets are another story.
However, Dicke points out that dogs rarely read about nutritional value on a label before having a meal. Many think nothing of scrounging through garbage or even swallowing the TV remote. These are not healthy choices.
Dogs don't turn down food based on nutritional value. However, since there is nutritional value to beets, you can prepare them as an occasional treat for your pooch. Beth Adelman, a feline behavior consultant in New York City, cooks beets for herself and her husband but there's no reason why a dog couldn't snack on them, too.
Here are Adelman's instructions: "Buy them fresh, remove the greens and store them in the fridge until you're ready to prepare. Begin by cutting, then slicing any way you like with a carrot peeler. I make mine like potato chips. I put a small amount of olive oil on them and fresh rosemary to taste. I bake at 375 degrees for 30 to 45 minutes. They're crispy like potato chips."
Beware what goes in red on one end will come out the other end a similar color. And too many treats of any kind is never a good idea.
Smell starts in teeth
Q: My 7-year-old cat has stinky breath. I give him dry food because someone said it is best for his teeth. My vet says the cat's teeth should be cleaned, but I'm worried about him being under anesthesia. Am I just being overprotective?
A: You're being a concerned "pet parent," which is good. Veterinary dentist Dr. Jean Hawkins says, "Your nose is correct . . . if it smells that bad, there's probably a reason for it."
Of course, your vet can't ask kitty to "open wide" and expect full cooperation. Cats (and dogs) must be anesthetized for a thorough cleaning. Hawkins says as long as your veterinarian is using a gas anesthetic (such as Isoflurane or Sevoflurane), the risk is minimal. "I suppose there's always some risk, but I really do believe the risk is greater leaving the cat's teeth untreated. Kidney, heart and liver problems in cats (and dogs) can be as a result of poor dental hygiene."
Hawkins adds that treats advertised as "tartar control" really do what they say. And she's a proponent of a product called OraVet, which creates a protective sealant over the teeth when they're cleaned, and which you periodically reapply. The American Veterinary Dental Society reports 75 percent of cats have dental issues requiring special care.
Steve Dale welcomes questions and comments from readers. He will answer those of general interest in his column. Write to Steve at Tribune Media Services, 2225 Kenmore Ave., Suite 114, Buffalo, NY 14207. Send e-mail to petworld@aol.com.