Do your pets get incredibly excited about dinner? Most pets do. While our patients’ opinions on most things differ widely, they always agree on one thing: they enjoy eating and snacking. (Some people enjoy it a little too much, but we’ll save that for later.) Filling Fluffy and Fido’s bowls is simple, but picking what to put in them might be more difficult. This article offers pet-feeding advice from a Southern Utah veterinarian.

Making Sense of Pet Food Labeling

Developing the practice of reading food labels is one of the most useful things you can do. This is when things get a little more difficult. Many organizations use exaggerated marketing strategies to make their products appear greater than they are.

Stick to products that have been AAFCO certified. AAFCO, or the Association of American Feed Control Officials, is a non-profit organization that regulates pet food ingredients, production methods, and quality standards. They work to guarantee that pet food fulfills the quality standards required to keep your pet healthy and that nutrients are present in sufficient quantities. A stamp of approval from them indicates that the brand has been thoroughly evaluated.

AAFCO-approved foods must include a few crucial pieces of information on the label. That includes the  Brand Name, Product Name, The name of the animal for whom the meal is meant (for example, cat food or dog food), Quality statement, Ingredient list, feeding directions, and analysis. The analysis is particularly significant since it displays nutritional percentages. While some parts can be given with a maximum percentage and others with minimums, the list must be presented in a precise sequence and in metric units. The name and address of the manufacturer or distributor is also required.

A listing of nutrients “indicates that the food is complete and balanced for a particular life stage, such as growth, reproduction, adult maintenance or a combination of these, or intended for intermittent or supplemental feeding only.”

The AFFCO classifies pet food components and nutrients into many categories.

Protein is needed for pets’ cartilage, tendons, ligaments, skin, fur, claws, muscle, and blood cells. It degrades, releasing important amino acids that are required for your pet’s health and survival. Chicken, lamb, fish meal, cow, and eggs are popular animal proteins often used in pet food. Plant-based proteins that are commonly present in pet food include beans, soybean meal, and corn gluten meal.

Water: Pets should always have constant access to fresh water. Water is found in pet food as well. The moisture content of your pet’s food may affect how well they absorb nutrients. Cats are a great example of this. Our feline pals’ natural diets mostly consist of small animals, such as mice and birds. Fluffy eats her prey raw, when the moisture content is highest. As a result, her ideal diet is rich in moisture.

Carbohydrates (including fiber) provide energy to dogs in the form of glucose, which is required to keep their tails wagging. Cats, on the other paw, do not need carbohydrates in their diet, though Fluffy will get trace amounts of carbohydrates and fiber from her prey in the wild.

Vitamins help many of your pet’s organs and systems function properly. Different vitamins serve distinct functions. Pets require vitamins A, B, C, D, E, iron, zinc, and calcium for proper nutrition. We will not go into detail about each of them, save to emphasize that vitamins must be added in the right amounts. It is not safe to consume either too much or too little!

Minerals: Minerals are beneficial to your pet’s health because they are required for the proper working of its internal systems. Iron, zinc, copper, and magnesium are all important nutrients for dogs and cats.

Fat: Fat gives Fido energy, protects his coat and skin, and reduces inflammation. It also adds insulation and cushioning. Fat sources in pet food include linoleic acid, flaxseed, and fish oils. Fatty acids such as omega-3 and omega-6 are necessary for dogs.

Tips On Reading Ingredients

The ingredient list may be difficult to navigate, in large part due to labeling regulations. For example, if a component appears in a product name, it must account for at least 95% of the total amount. Corporations, on the other hand, adopt various ways to avoid this. Something called ‘flavor’ only requires approximately 3% of the element.

Like human foods, pet food ingredients must be listed in proportion, with the first item listed taking the largest share and so on. Look for goods that say meat, fish, or poultry first and foremost.

Which Ingredients In Pet Food Should You Avoid?

Many human and pet diets are heavily processed, and may include fillers, preservatives, and other undesirable components. Some of these may be more than just poor; they could be unhealthy.

Here are some things you should avoid putting in your pet’s food:

• Artificial Food Coloring: Dye is not necessary for your pet’s health. It is widely employed to improve the aesthetics and uniformity of the end product. Pets, of course, do not care how their food looks: this is for our benefit. Red 40, Yellow 5, and Yellow 6 all contain the carcinogen benzidine.
• Rendered Fat: Rendered fat may seem reasonable. However, it is usually prepared by mixing and boiling the remaining components of animals that have been processed for meat. Unfortunately, some of the animals could have been ill or infected.
• Propylene Glycol: Propylene glycol, typically found in dog and cat treats, increases food stability. However, it has also been declared illegal in Europe, which is sufficient cause for apprehension.
• Thickening Agents: Although thickening agents are unlikely to be among the most dangerous medications, they pose significant risks. Carrageenan, guar, xanthan, and cassia gum are some of the most commonly used ingredients. They also provide consistency and texture. However, while additional research is required, several studies suggest they may be carcinogenic.
• Corn Syrup, Specifically High Fructose Corn Syrup: Corn syrup is used in numerous processed foods. It has been linked to many human health issues, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and fatty liver disease. If it’s harmful for us, it’ll probably be bad for Fido or Fluffy.
• Artificial Preservatives: Among the most popular are butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), and ethoxyquin. These can be found in various wet and dry foods and snacks.

If you need any more information, please contact your veterinarian.

How Should I Select the Right Food?

The first thing we recommend is that you contact your vet. While we’ll cover some fundamentals here, remember that each pet is unique. Several factors come into play here, including your pet’s age, health, breed, lifestyle, and any medical concerns they may have. An underweight Pomeranian has very different dietary needs than a large Labrador, while a young St. Bernard requires different food than an aged Chihuahua.

Please see your veterinarian for more information on feeding Fido and Fluffy. We’re here to help!

Schedule An Appointment At Our Southern Utah Veterinary Clinic 

Do you have any questions or concerns about your pet’s diet? Are you attempting to figure out what to feed your pet? Please feel free to contact us here at your Southern Utah pet hospital at any time.