The pet food recall has prompted many pet owners to consider preparing homemade diets for their pets. Preparing an adequate homemade pet diet requires a tremendous amount of knowledge and work to ensure that the final product provides an appropriate and complete nutritional balance. Most veterinary and animal nutrition experts recommend high-quality commercial diets, formulated over decades to meet the specific needs of our cats and dogs.
For a list of human foods that can sicken pets, visit the the website of the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at www.aspca.org/apcc.
Dr. Amy Fischer is a Teaching Associate in the Companion Animal Biology and Humane Education program, Department of Animal Sciences at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, pets.ansci.uiuc.edu/outreach. Lyrics of Wild Kitty (podtrailer) and Cat's Chasing Butterflies (podintro) by Marc Gunn, www.catdrinkingsongs.com; All music is traditional.
