Do you think your pet looks forward to dinner? We think the answer is “yes” to that question. A lot of our patients have very different views on many things, but they all love snacks and food. (So do we!) It’s not hard to fill Fluffy and Fido’s bowls, but it can be hard to figure out what to put in them. In this article, a neighborhood Black Hills, SD vet talks about how to feed your pet properly.
How to Read Pet Food Labels
Writing down what’s in your food is one of the best things you can do. Things can get a little tricky here. A lot of companies use clever marketing tricks to make their offerings look better than they really are.
Certain things must be on the labels of foods that have been cleared by AAFCO. That list includes the brand and product name, feeding instructions, the name and address of the manufacturer or distributor, the name of the animal the food is for (cat, dog, etc.), analysis, ingredients, and Statement of quality, which is a nutritional adequacy statement that “indicates that the food is complete and balanced for a certain life stage, such as growth, reproduction, adult maintenance, or a combination of these, or is only meant to be fed occasionally or in addition to other foods.”
The analysis is a big one because it shows the percentage of each nutrient in the food. Some materials can have a maximum and a minimum percentage on the list. Either way, the list has to be put together in a certain way and in measured units.
The list of ingredients can also be very tricky, in large part because of rules about how labels should be made. In this case, if an item is listed in the product name, it must make up at least 95% of the food. There are, however, ways to get around that. When you put the word “flavor” in something, it only needs to have about 3% of that ingredient. So, something that says ‘chicken flavor’ only needs minute amounts of chicken.
Ask your Black Hills, SD vet what you should feed Fido and Fluffy. We’re also happy to offer advice on how much to eat and when to feed your furry pal.
What Ingredients Should I Stay Away From In Pet Food?
One of the most important things to look at? Not only might these not be the best, but some of them are downright bad for you.
These are some things that shouldn’t be in your pet’s food:
High Fructose Corn Syrup Corn Syrup: If you read food labels often, you may have noticed that corn syrup is used in… well, almost everything. It has been linked to a number of health problems in people, such as diabetes, heart disease, and fatty liver disease. Fido can eat it, but it’s too sweet for him and isn’t good for him in general.
Artificial Preservatives: Ethoxyquin, butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), and butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) are some of the most widely used ones. You can find these in a lot of different kinds of treats and wet food.
Artificial Food Coloring: Your pet’s health will not be improved by the use of dyes. They are generally added to make the final product look better and more like what people would expect. It’s important to be careful with Red 40, Yellow #5, and Yellow #6. All of these have benzidine in them, which is known to cause cancer.
Residual Fat: Residual fat may sound like a good thing, but it’s usually made by mixing and cooking down the parts of animals that haven’t been used for meat. There may have been sick or injured animals’ parts used.
Propylene glycol: used to help foods stay stable, Propylene glycol is often found in treats for both Fido and Fluffy. If consumed in excessive quantities, it may induce adverse effects. The fact that it has been outlawed in Europe is alarming enough on its own.
Thickening Agents: To be honest, thickening agents aren’t the most risky foods, but they’re also not the best either. Carrageenan, guar, xanthan, and cassia gums are some of the most popular ones used. They do offer perks, like stability and texture. On the other hand, some studies suggest that they might cause cancer.
To find out more, talk to your doctor.
How Do I Pick The Right Food For Fido And Fluffy?
Several factors come into play here, such as your furry friend’s age, health, breed, lifestyle, and any medical problems. A skinny Pomeranian will need very different food than a fat Lab, and a young St. Bernard will need different food than an older Chihuahua.
Aside from that, only buy names that are okay with the AFFCO. The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AFFCO) is a non-profit group whose main job is to keep an eye on the materials, production methods, and quality standards for pet food. They work to guarantee that pet food fulfills the essential quality standards to keep your pet healthy, as well as that the nutrients are in the proper amounts. If they give the brand their stamp of approval, it means that the brand has been carefully looked over.
The AFFCO separates the nutrition or ingredients in pet food into six groups.
- Water: Of course, your pet should always have clean water. Moisture affects how well your pet digests food. For instance, our feline friends actually need quite a bit of moisture in their diets. Mice, birds, and other animals are what cats naturally eat. The fact that Fluffy eats her meat raw also means that she gets a lot of water from her natural food.
- Fat: Fat gives Fido energy, keeps his skin and hair healthy, and lowers inflammation. It’s also important for helping cats absorb nutrients, making hormones, keeping them warm, and keeping them safe. Fats that are often found in pet food come from linoleic acid, flaxseed, and fish oils, among other places. Flavonoids, like omega-3 and omega-6 acids, are good for pets.
- Protein: Skin, fur, claws, blood cells, cartilage, tendons, and ligaments are all made of protein. It turns into essential amino acids, which are very important for your pet’s health and life. Chicken, lamb, fish meal, beef, and eggs are all animal-based proteins that are often found in cat food. Corn-gluten meal, soybean meal, and beans are all plant-based proteins.
- Carbohydrates, such as fiber: Sugar, which comes from carbs, gives dogs energy, which is very important for keeping that tail moving. On the other hand, cats being carnivores, do not require any carbs in their food. Fluffy will still get some carbs and fiber from her wild food, though.
- Vitamins: Your pet’s organs and metabolic functions depend on vitamins. Different vitamins have various functions. We’re not going to go into all of them, but we will say that it’s important to add vitamins in the right amounts, as it can be dangerous to have too much or too little. Iron, zinc, calcium, Vitamin A, Vitamin B, Vitamin C, Vitamin D, and Vitamin E are a few of the essential ones for pets.
- Minerals: Minerals are very important for your pet’s health because they help the body’s processes work better. Iron, zinc, copper, and magnesium are some of the most important nutrients for dogs and cats.
Of course, your pet’s dietary needs will change over time. Touch bases with your vet regularly on this.
Set Up An Appointment At Our Black Hills, SD Pet Clinic
Do you have worries or questions about what your pet eats? Do you want to know what to feed your animal friend? Please feel free to contact our Black Hills, SD pet hospital at any time.
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