As more pet owners became aware of -- and more diligent about -- the importance of nutritious diets for humans, doesn’t it make sense to think the same way about your dogs and cats? Would you be running on full and healthy gears if you started the day with a breakfast of -- let’s say -- doughnuts and a pot of coffee? Most likely you would not be at your best, even if you think you are due to the sugar and caffeine rush.
Proper pet nutrition -- quite simply put -- results in a healthier pet. An optimal coat, stronger bones and muscles, and healthy vital organs are just a few benefits. Pet foods with healthy ingredients result in fewer digestive and allergy complications along with less intestinal gas and firmer and fewer stools. Don’t think your pet’s mood and behavior is not also affected by food intake either; the better the food, the better the behavior. The real bottom line is twofold: the healthier your pet, the less you pay in veterinarian bills over the long run and most important is the fact your pet can enjoy a longer -- and higher quality -- life.
How to Choose?
Many of today’s products are labeled natural or organic and include ingredients said to promote health such as blueberries and salmon oil. This advertising makes it even more challenging to determine what is high-quality food and what is the canine or feline equivalent of junk food. Ideally, you will reach the right diet decision for your dog or cat through a combination of research combined with your veterinarian’s recommendation.
The most important thing to remember when shopping for healthy dog and cat diets is they are meant to eat meat. If you question this, look at your pet's teeth! Animals that are meant to eat primarily herbivorous diets do not have pronounced canines but flat teeth well suited for grinding. Any diet for your dog or cat should have high meat content. Ideally, meats should be listed as the first three or four ingredients on the label.
Despite the economy, US pet owners spent $51 billion on their pets in 2011. Dog and cat nutrition is a major business arena and companies know this, producing a virtual smorgasbord of options with big differences in quality from one brand to the next. It may take some research and experimentation to find the right food for your dog or cat, but you will be repaid for these efforts by many happy, healthy years with your beloved pets.
Separating the Good from the Bad
The first five ingredients on the label are the most important as they comprise the bulk of the recipe; the first 10 ingredients typically make up 90% of the recipe.
The first ingredient in the food should always be a specifically named protein, such as chicken or salmon. Meat by-products (also known as meat or bone meal, by-product meal, animal by-product, chicken by-product, etc.) are not equal to meat; they are the slaughter leftovers once the meat has been removed and can include some awful things.
Healthy whole grains should be in the top five ingredients. These supply carbohydrates your pet needs for energy. Try to avoid processed or altered grains such as brewers rice, wheat glutens, wheat flour, shorts, or middlings. These are inexpensive fillers, which are hard to digest and offer little nutritional value.
Try to avoid foods that list corn, in any formulation, within the top five ingredients. Corn is an economical carbohydrate for manufacturers to use but it is virtually indigestible and offers little nutritional value.
Whole vegetables are nutrient-rich and easy to digest. Vegetables are important because they are a great source of antioxidants, which are essential to your pet's good health. Whole fruits are healthy but experts agree they are not necessary in a pet’s diet. Also, if they are listed after the fifth ingredient, the portion is too small to impact the pet's health.
Two particular preservatives to avoid are "BHA" (Butylated Hydroxyanisole) and "BHT" (Butylated Hydroxytoluene). Research shows these chemicals have caused cancer in laboratory animals. Natural preservatives such as vitamin C (ascorbic acid) and vitamin E (tocopherols) are much safer and healthier.
The highest quality food will not be beneficial if your pet won't eat it. Don't be afraid to try more than one brand and see how they work out. Nearly all manufacturers allow you to return unused portions to the place of purchase if your pet turns his or her nose up at it.
When you’re tempted to buy a cheaper brand of perhaps a well-known, commercial food, remember: your pet will need less food if it's high-quality and contains top-notch ingredients, so don't think you're saving money by buying the cheapest choice or whatever is on sale. Pet food manufacturers spend millions of dollars a year in advertising campaigns to make their brand known to you. When you hear "Pedigree" or "Science Diet" or "Purina," do you instantly trust the name because you hear it so often? It's a natural human inclination to automatically trust someone or something we know; it's what you don't know that can be harmful for your dog or cat.
The Bottom Line for the Bowl
Finally, to summarize, remember to make certain the pet food you buy is high in protein, not grain-based, and AAFCO-tested. The AAFCO -- the American Association of Feed Control Officials -- is a watchdog group that sets food-testing and labeling standards.
For pet-sitting with a personal touch, contact Dee Hopkins at 517.546.0439 and visit http://www.ddspetpatrol.com.
Written by Dee Hopkins in collaboration with Ginger Sprinkle @ nine dots branding & marketing company (ginger@ninedotsbranding.com).
