An expert pointed out the harm of feeding pets with food prepared for humans
Pets should not be fed food that has been prepared for people, biologist Marina Tatarenko, a teacher of the Department of Teaching Methods of the Faculty of Natural Sciences of the State University of Education, told Izvestia on January 12. The expert explained what consequences such actions can lead to.
"Feeding pets "from the table" is categorically unacceptable. Firstly, they develop an extremely bad habit of begging for food during the meal of the owners. Secondly, such feeding has serious negative consequences for their health," she said.
According to her, the digestive system of predators - dogs and cats - is very different from the human digestive system. Many habitual and favorite foods and dishes of people contain substances that are toxic to them and dangerous for their lives.
"Even small doses of seasonings, spices, salt can cause severe allergies, diarrhea or poisoning. And hollow (tubular) chicken bones after heat treatment turn into dangerously sharp objects and can traumatize the esophagus, which often ends in the death of animals," Tatarenko emphasized.
In addition, heat treatment of products significantly reduces their nutritional value for animals. So replacing a special balanced feed with leftovers from the table leads to an uncontrolled change in the balance of carbohydrates, fats and proteins in the food of animals and, as a consequence, to obesity, and in some cases pancreatitis, which is extremely difficult to treat, the expert explained. At the same time, feeding from the master's table of large or medium-sized dogs can provoke disobedience, because the pet may think that it has the right to dominate the owner.
"A dog or cat can be fed with natural products, but it is difficult, because it requires an accurate selection of the combination of proteins, fats, carbohydrates, various vitamins and trace elements. Thus, cats quickly lose health with a lack of taurine", - said Tatarenko.
At the same time, she specified that it does not matter whether the owner feeds his pets with dry fodder or raw natural products, the main rule is that their food should consist of half or at least one third of meat. This is essential for their normal life.
"Take into account that cheap feeds contain mainly grain products, and, therefore, are insufficient to maintain the health of pets. Equally unhelpful and porridge, laced with a small amount of meat or cooked on meat broth", - concluded the expert.
Earlier, on January 9, Grigory Balagurov, director of the Foundation for the protection of food and packaging quality "Law and Health", told "Izvestia" that in 2025 prices for pet food may continue to rise. He suggested that if the current key rate of the Central Bank, plans to introduce mandatory labeling and other factors are maintained, the cost may increase within 25-30%.
