Pet owners who only want the best for their beloved furry friend should read pet food labels. Becoming a savvy and informed shopper ensures that one chooses only the best dry pet foods. Some owners prefer organic pet foods only. Ultimately, good pet health depends greatly on top-notch pet nutrition.
Bad Ingredients in Cat and Dog Food
There are four basic things to consider when reading pet food labels :
- Meat in Pet Food Not all meats are created equal. When considering wet pet foods and dry pet foods, one needs to look at the meat content first. Meat should always be the first ingredient on the label. Meat meals, such as chicken meal, means that water and fat have been removed prior to processing. Byproducts should be avoided. Meat byproducts can contain undesirable parts like blood, bone, brains and udders. Many wet pet foods contain byproducts. These labels should be scrutinized.
- Grains in Pet Food When taking dog food ingredients into consideration, corn should usually be avoided. This is an unnecessary ingredient that is typically used as filler in dry pet foods. Many dogs and cats even have a sensitivity or allergy to corn. Many owners choose grain-free organic pet foods. Grain-free is a great choice for food-sensitive pets. Speaking with one’s veterinarian is important if a dog or cat appears to have any kind of food allergy or sensitivity going on. Many owners find their dogs do so much better on grain-free options, even if they have never had any food allergies.
- Preservatives and Chemicals in Pet Food A good pet food should never have artificial chemicals or preservatives. Only natural preservatives should be used. Owners should avoid dog food ingredients such as high fructose corn syrup and benzoyl peroxide. Find here the top 5 foods you should never give your cat or dog. These are typically used in bleaching processes. In addition, synthetic preservatives should be avoided. BHA, BHT and ethoxyquin are never wholesome dog food ingredients. Natural preservatives like vitamin E and vitamin C are great choices. The top 5 foods for healthy dogs.
- Nutritional Adequacy of Pet Food It is absolutely crucial to find a statement of nutritional adequacy on a label. Bags or cans of food should meet the standards of the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO). This is a great way to know that a bag of food is meeting all of the important nutritional standards.
Optimum pet health depends upon great foods. Great pet nutrition is the first place to start when making health changes for one’s dog or cat. Learning how to properly read and understand pet food labels ensures only the highest quality foods are chosen. It is important to remember that advertising campaigns have nothing to do with what is on the label. Great foods should be chosen on label alone. Pets will be so appreciative of their health and tasty foods.
Is your dog not eating well or has lost it’s appetite? Click here to see the common reasons why your dog is not eating.
