Wal-Mart Teams With Veterinarian/Nutritionist To Provide Solutions For Pet Owners

In light of recent manufacturers’ pet food recalls, Wal-Mart Stores shared today that the company has teamed with veterinarian and nutritionist Dr. Sean Delaney to provide consumers pet food solutions. Realizing that a number of pets may be unsettled after their favorite food was withdrawn, Wal-Mart and Dr. Delaney have partnered to provide nutritional tips and solutions for maintaining a healthy, happy pet.

Dr. Delaney holds a Doctorate degree in Veterinary Medicine from the University of California, Davis (UCD), a Master’s degree in Nutrition and a Bachelor’s degree in Zoology from the University of California, Santa Barbara. After completing an internship in small animal medicine and surgery, Dr. Delaney completed a clinical nutrition residency at UCD. He attained diplomate status with the American College of Veterinary Nutrition in 2003 and is the Founding Consultant of Davis Veterinary Medical Consulting, Prof. Corp., specializing in nutritional consulting for the pet food industry.

“Here at Wal-Mart, we acted quickly and responsibly on the related advice from the FDA and know it’s been a confusing time for pet owners,” said Scott McCall, senior vice president of Wal-Mart. “We also want to help our customers, not only feel confident in the pet food choices they make, but find solutions that work for them and their pets.”

Many pet owners are dealing with irritable animals of late as they search for alternative meal solutions for their pets that are accustomed to a specific variety of food. Although a wide assortment of quality pet foods remain on store shelves, finding the right selection that makes your cat purr or dog’s tail wag may take some trial and error.

“Wal-Mart’s efforts to provide safe and easy options for feeding pets are very helpful for pet lovers,” said Dr. Delaney. The accredited veterinarian and nutritionist suggests a few common sense tips that may make the transition more enjoyable for both pets and their human families.

With many pet owners transitioning their pets in recent days from wet pet food varieties to dry selections, Dr. Delaney recommends adding one cup of warm water to each cup of dry food to make the food more appetizing for the pet. This will safely increase the moisture level to the amount found in most canned foods and help pets become more quickly accustomed to the transition. This strategy will also help the dry food mimic the pet’s former wet food and using warm water will help release aromas that can improve palatability. Additionally, supplementing dry food with warm water will not increase the calories, fat, sodium or other substances to the pet’s nutritionally-balanced pet food.

Many pets enjoy trying new foods and Dr. Delaney recommends pet owners gradually transition any major changes in their pet’s diet. This will help reduce any gastrointestinal upset that can occur with sudden dietary changes. Dr. Delaney also advises monitoring calorie intake so it can be maintained throughout any changes in a pet’s diet.

Wal-Mart Stores has discovered many customers purchasing packaged pet food additives to help pets typically accustomed to wet food shift to dry varieties. One of those dog food additives is all natural Three Dog Bakery Entrée Dogs Chicken and Rice in a 12 oz. pouch that can be used as a topping to dry dog food or mixed in to make it more appealing to those pets accustomed to wet foods.

For pet owners searching for homemade recipes designed for their specific pet, visit Dr. Delaney’s website at www.balanceit.com. A free recipe is available by typing in “Wal-Mart” in the promo code box.

It is recommended by Dr. Delaney that pet owners consult their veterinarian any time they make a change in their pet’s diet.