NAPSI: Mealtime can be a great time to bond with your pet. However, finding the right food can sometimes be a process of trial and adjustment.

As a nutritionist, I receive thousands of e-mails and phone calls each year from concerned “pet parents” looking for the right food for their pets.

While it is very easy to blame the food for problems, in many cases, it is simply no more than the wrong choice and wrong application of a food that is really the cause. More often than not, the source of the problem is not the food but simple misunderstandings that I call “pet-parent faux paws.” Here are some examples:

Dirty Dishes: Would you eat off a dirty plate or drink out of a dirty glass? Feeding and water dishes must be kept clean for the exact same reasons we as humans clean our dishes. If not cleaned, dirty dishes become an excellent place for bacteria to grow.

Toys and Rawhides: Toys and rawhides are often overlooked as potential causes of problems for pets.

Partially chewed rawhides usually come into contact with unclean areas and are especially wonderful places for bacteria to grow and then introduce themselves to the pet upon reuse. Make sure toys are cleaned regularly and partially chewed rawhides are discarded.

Battle of the Bulge: An overweight pet has an increased chance of such health concerns as diabetes, joint damage, heart disease and more. Many owners think getting a pet to lose weight is as easy as feeding less. Unfortunately, reducing the serving size often leaves pets hungry and their body undersupported. Pet owners should look toward complete dry diets that offer Weight Management or Reduced Activity diets to help deliver proper nutrition while losing weight.

For example, Fromm recently introduced a Weight Management Gold recipe that provides high-quality protein, complex carbohydrates to aid in appetite control, and added L-carnitine to help the body burn more fat and maintain lean muscle mass.

Any diet should be accompanied with plenty of fresh water and exercise. Another common mistake many pet owners make is feeding a pet a weight management food and overindulging with treats and table scraps. These need to be eliminated to let the food do its job.

Finding the right food for your pet is often achieved through trial and adjustment; however, avoiding some common pitfalls may set your furry family member on the path toward a long and healthy life.

To learn more, visit frommfamily.com.

Dana Watkins is the Director of Nutrition and Technical Services at Fromm Family Foods. North American Precis Syndicate, Inc.