Many pet food experts and others like me who have studied pet nutrition and become knowledgeable about the subject often appear in the media discussing good and bad food and its ingredients. Unfortunately, we find that many in our audiences do not follow our advice. Many believe their veterinarians are the experts and when he or she says a certain pet food is ok, they should follow that lead. What the consumer doesn’t always know is that veterinary schools do not teach much about pet food and these experts in animal health and well-being don’t always have all the answers about what’s good and not-s0-good for our dogs and cats to eat. Hopefully, in the next few years, that will change as veterinary schools begin to add new courses and understand that the push for better pet nutrition is not just a fad.
Some consumers worry that they cannot find a healthy pet food without paying a fortune for it. While it is true that many of the better commercial foods are pricey, it is possible to find good ones at discount stores in more affordable price ranges.
Many pet foods on the market do not provide the nutritional value that animals need to stay healthy. Much of the meat used in commercial pet foods is leftover waste from the human food industry. So it is important to know what to look for when you shop for your furry best friend.
You can find a great deal more information on the effect of diet on a dog or cat’s health on my website, www.feedingfidoandfluffy.com. In the meantime, consider using the following “checklist” when you shop:
*Always read the ingredients label. While the guaranteed analysis chart and feeding guidelines found on a pet food package break it all down, the simple process of knowing what should and should not be on the ingredients label will tell you what is important.
*Look for 1 or 2 quality meats in the first 4 ingredients listed. Some cheaper pet foods begin their ingredients list with corn or another grain, or they may use a poor form of meat. Just remember that the first 4 ingredients listed contain the most weight in the food. If meat isn’t at the top, your pet may not be getting enough quality protein in each meal.
*Grain-free is best! Cats are carnivores and while dogs are technically omnivores, they thrive best on real meat. Yes it’s true that in the wild, a dog would consume prey that may have eaten grains of some sort, but that doesn’t mean that the dog depends on that trash grain for the vitamins he needs. Many dogs and cats are allergic to certain grains, particularly corn and wheat.
*Fruits and vegetables are good. These ingredients provide much-needed vitamins, minerals and antioxidants and most dogs and cats like them.
*Natural preservatives are essential for good health. Some lesser quality pet foods may use BHA or BHT as preservatives. You may also see propylene glycol listed as an ingredient. Steer clear of these! Look for natural preservatives like tocopherols. BHA and BHT are known cancer-causing agents in high amounts. If your pet eats the same food containing those ingredients twice a day, day after day, he is going to consume a lot of poison over time. Don’t risk it. Propylene glycol is related to anti-freeze and is also a carcinogen.
*Be very wary of artificial colors in pet food. When you see terms like “Blue-5” or another color followed by a number, you are looking at chemicals that are suspected of being cancer causing agents. Dogs and cats don’t care what color the food is.
*Be sure the pet food you choose contains natural fats. If you see “animal fat” or “poultry fat,” keep looking. Fats in pet food should be specific names, like chicken fat or beef fat.
*If the food contains meat by-products or animal by-products, don’t buy it! These contain parts of an animal that aren’t allowed in human food. Think blood, feathers, bones, intestines and ligaments.
If you can remember those 8 tips when you look for pet food, you will go a long way toward keeping your dog or cat healthy and happy. For more information on this subject, read here.
