Pet parents are no less finicky, assuredly.

After all, the market is spilling over with toys, accessories, clothes and, of course, food. You are spoilt for choice.

There’s dry food from the much-advertised Pedigree for dogs or the semi-solid Whiskas for kitties, to name just a couple. There are India-made foods as well, such as the dry-biscuit type ShowCat or ready-to-eat moist food from Harley’s Corner. And we are not even getting into bird-feed, a turtle’s menu, or cattle and horse feed.

Pet food runs into the same dilemmas as human food. Which is the best to keep your pet healthy and happy?

Companies and, often, veterinarians suggest that off-the-shelf food is the best, because it gives your pet a wholesome meal in one cupful.

Having always had a pet, I would however cast my vote with my no-nonsense homeopath. To say she also treats my pet is an understatement, because my pet cat is alive today thanks to her homeopathic treatment.

Do you always eat freeze-dried or packed-with-preservative food? she shot back, when I once quizzed her on my pet’s diet.

Most Indian homes cook fresh food. That’s the staple, while the takeaway foods, snacks and chips are the treats, I figured. Use the same logic with your pet. Give her fish or meat boiled with haldi (turmeric), a boiled egg, and even vegetables such as lauki (bottle gourd) mixed in small quantities with the food as it’s good for their stomach. Sometimes, standard concepts of the ‘cats love milk’ kind are turned on their head, and the vet suggests curd to keep the cat tummy happy.

I know of several pets that eat just about anything cooked at home. And, they look all the better for it.

The dry packet-food can be a treat, or something to crunch on to keep teeth in good shape. But always make sure there is a bowl of water close by to go hand-in-hand with the dry treat.

For pets that are ill, special packs such as renal food are available. Again, like with prescription drugs, these should only be given on the vet’s recommendation. Dry food also proves handy when travelling with a pet or when a friend is pet-sitting for you.

The debate over natural and packed food is unlikely to end anytime soon. But I would pitch for the common-sense approach — give your pet a naturally healthy meal, with readymade treats once in a while to spice up her life.

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