Trick or treat?

By Yves de Groote

yves@tekstburo.com

I have put Halloween and Guy Fawkes firmly behind me and am already dreaming of spring cherry blossom in far away exotic places. But my cat thinks on a different wavelength. She's on a mission to convince me of her New Vision：the way to Treat Land.

Each morning, she claims her seat at the breakfast table, swallowing in anticipation, as food disappears into my mouth. Cunningly she ventures a soft paw on the table edge, which the kids find charming, so we almost instinctively reach for the cat sweet jar. It's a good trick for a treat. Her food bowl, however, no longer seems to feature into her New Vision.

Strange people

Grandma's cat is an extra special grandchild. Uncle Fred's Labrador is his best friend and toddlers treat a pet as their baby sister or brother. Giving a pet attention and love is normal. Active play is healthy. So what's wrong with buying the cutest toys and favourite food? Playing is one thing; food is a different matter. Parents know only too well. Children can be fussy eaters so we give them what they enjoy most. Frequently this also means in-betweens. Grandma's in-betweens are of the sweet kind. Granddad prefers the greasy variety, rigid with salt content or tat. Tasty…but healthy?

Temptation Marketing

Kids often insist on a particular bright packaged product including the free plastic toy. What do they care about marketing? Animals are not unlike children and pet sweets are no longer something new. Mouth-watering marketing campaigns entice you to buy snacks as in-betweens, preferably of that one-and-only special brand. After all, competition is fierce. Pets usually find these products tastier than the normal meals; Mr. Industry makes sure of that. But here lies the danger of upsetting the regular food pattern. Treats alone. Won't give animals the necessary fatty acids, sugars, minerals and vitamins.

Again, children stand as an example：they gain too much weight and don't get enough vitamins and minerals. For the World Health Organisation (WHO) obesity is becoming enemy Number One, possibly contributing to heart and coronary disease, diabetes and other illnesses. But the food and fast food Industry are beginning to act. In Belgium one food company teaches children the way to healthy eating by means of a game. Eating a snack isn't a mortal sin and can be wholeheartedly it contains sufficient nourishment to maintain a healthy diet.

The Trick for the Treat

Animals can be educated too. By feeding young pets what's necessary, without continuously resorting to snacks, (they'll do anything to get their paws on it ) you simply teach them that snacks are a treat; they then stop being a spoiling factor and become part of the normal food pattern. Added ingredients can be healthy, but they merely correct the food pattern with extra calcium, vitamins and minerals or certain fatty acids. They don't represent a proper meal in themselves. A healthy diet is more than extra added fat and carbohydrates.

I haven't told my cat yet, and I'll break the news to her gently, Treat Land is a trick. Snacks are delicious but not substantial enough to guide her happily through her 7 long lives. There…and back.

Source: PETS International Magazine (ISSUE 3, 2004)