Do your pets get excited before dinnertime? We’re guessing the answer is “yes.” While our patients’ perspectives on most topics range greatly, they all have one thing in common: they enjoy eating and snacking. Filling Fluffy and Fido’s bowls is straightforward, but deciding what to put in them can be challenging. This article contains pet feeding advice from a local Clarkesville, GA veterinarian.

Making Sense of Pet Food Labels

One of the most important things you can do is get into the habit of reading food labels. This is where things get a little dicey. Many companies use extravagant marketing techniques to make their products appear better than they are.

Pick products that have obtained AAFCO approval. AFFCO, or the Association of American Feed Control Officials, is a non-profit organization that oversees pet food ingredients, manufacturing processes, and quality standards. They endeavor to ensure that pet food meets the quality standards required to keep your pet healthy, as well as verify that nutrients are present in acceptable proportions. A mark of approval from them signifies that the brand has been thoroughly evaluated.

AAFCO-approved foods must include a few key pieces of information on their labels.

• Brand Name
• Product names
• What animal the food is intended for (dog, cat, etc.).
• Quality Statement
• Ingredients
• Feeding instructions
• Analysis
• A declaration of accessibility to nutrients that “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.”
• Name and address of the manufacturer or distributor

You’ll also want to look for the stamp of approval!

Reading Ingredient Lists

The ingredient list can be tough to navigate, thanks in large part to labeling rules. For example, if an ingredient appears in a product’s name, it must constitute at least 95% of the entire amount. However, businesses have techniques to get around this. Something called ‘flavor’ only needs to include roughly 3% of that element.

Pet food ingredients, like human foods, must be mentioned in proportion, with the first item listed taking up the largest percentage, and so on. Look for items that list meat, fish, or poultry first and most frequently.

What Pet Food Ingredients Should You Stay Away From?

One of the most crucial factors to consider is what is in your pet’s supper. Many human and pet foods these days are highly processed and may contain fillers, preservatives, and other unwanted ingredients. Some of these may be more than just poor nutritionally; they could be unhealthy.

Here are some things you don’t want in your pet’s food:

Propylene Glycol: Propylene glycol, commonly used in dog and cat treats, improves food stability. However, it can have detrimental implications when used in excessive quantities. It has also been proclaimed illegal in Europe, which raises concerns in itself.

Artificial Food Coloring: Dyes have no health benefits for your pet. They are frequently used to make the final output more appealing and consistent to people. Pets, of course, do not care what their food looks like. Red 40, yellow 5, and yellow 6 all contain benzidine, a recognized carcinogen.

Rendered Fat: Rendered fat may sound acceptable. However, it is frequently made by combining and boiling the remaining portions of animals that have been processed into meat. Unfortunately, some of those livestock could have been sick or wounded.

Thickening Agents: While thickening agents are unlikely to be among the most harmful drugs, they do pose concerns. Carrageenan, guar, xanthan, and cassia gum are among the most often utilized. They also contribute qualities such as stability and texture. However, some studies indicate that they may be carcinogenic.

Corn Syrup/High Fructose Corn Syrup: Corn syrup is currently used in practically everything. It has been related to a variety of human health conditions, including heart disease, diabetes, and fatty liver disease. If it’s bad for us, it’s probably not good for Fido or Fluffy.

Artificial Preservatives: Some of the most commonly used ones are butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), and ethoxyquin. These can be found in a variety of wet and dry foods, including treats.

For more information, please contact your veterinarian.

How Can I Choose the Right Food?

First and foremost, we urge that you contact your veterinarian. While we may go over some basic requirements here, it is crucial to remember that each pet is unique. Several factors influence this decision, including your pet’s age, health, breed, and lifestyle, as well as any medical difficulties they may have. An underweight Pomeranian will have quite different dietary needs than a plump Lab, and a juvenile St. Bernard will require different food than an older Chihuahua.

The AFFCO categorizes pet food ingredients and nutrients into six categories.

• Carbohydrates (including fiber): Carbohydrates supply energy to dogs in the form of glucose, which is essential for keeping their tails wagging. Cats, on the other hand, require no carbohydrates in their diet. Fluffy will consume trace amounts of carbs and fiber from her prey in the wild. Carbohydrates should not be the primary component of a dog or cat’s diet.
• Vitamins: Vitamins help many of your pet’s organs and systems operate properly. Different vitamins have distinct functions. Vitamins A, B, C, D, E, iron, zinc, and calcium are all necessary nutrients for pets. We won’t go into detail about each of them, except to underline that vitamins must be added in the proper doses. It is not safe to consume too much or too little.
• Minerals: Minerals are essential for the proper functioning of their internal systems. Dogs and cats require iron, zinc, copper, and magnesium, to name a few key ones.
• Fat: Fat provides energy for your furry buddy, preserves his coat and skin, and minimizes inflammation. It also provides insulation and some cushioning. Linoleic acid, flaxseed, and fish oils are among the fats included in pet food. Fatty acids, including Omega-3 and Omega-6, are essential for pets.
• Protein: Protein is essential for pets’ cartilage, tendons, ligaments, skin, fur, claws, muscle, and even blood cells. As it degrades, it produces important amino acids that are necessary for your pet’s health and survival. Chicken, lamb, fish meal, cattle, and eggs are examples of animal proteins commonly used in pet food. Plant-based protein sources include soybean meal, corn gluten meal, and beans.
• Water: Naturally, your pet should always have access to fresh water. Water is also an ingredient in pet food. The moisture content of your pet’s food could affect their ability to absorb nutrients. Let’s look at our feline pals as an example. Cats’ natural diets include mice and birds. Fluffy also consumes her prey fresh, when the moisture content is highest. Her optimal diet includes plenty of water.

Please check your veterinarian for feeding guidelines for Fido and Fluffy. This offers advice on topics such as food portion sizes and feeding times.

Schedule An Appointment At Our Clarksville, Ga Pet Clinic.

Have you got any questions or worries concerning your pet’s diet? Are you wondering what to feed your pet? Please contact your nearest Clarkesville, GA animal hospital at any time.