By Erika Pitkat DVM, HelloVet
Choosing a pet food can be overwhelming. Holistic, organic, human-grade, raw, no carb, grain-free. These are all buzz words or phrases that can suck us into purchasing pet food that may not be best for our four-legged family members. Some of the information available on the internet is not reliable or true. Here are some guidelines to help you choose a diet for your pet.
- A pet food label does not tell you how good the food inside the bag really is. The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) does not allow references to the quality or grade of an ingredient, so claims on a label should not be taken as fact.
- Many ingredients such as corn or wheat have been marketed as “bad” or “allergenic” ingredients in pet food. Pet food manufacturers, in fact, use these ingredients as a nonfat energy source, and carnivores are able to digest the starches in grains. Dry kibble should be composed of 40%-60% starch and composed of 18%-25% protein for dogs and 26%-32% for cats, according to AAFCO guidelines.
- Manufacturers must list ingredients they have used to make the food, but that does not mean that the food doesn’t have trace ingredients mixed into the food during manufacture or transportation. Prescription hypoallergenic diets have a high price tag, but they are manufactured on separate production lines dedicated to one particular protein or ingredient. There is no cross-contamination of these prescription diets.
- Byproducts are not inherently bad for animals. Some byproducts are nutrient-rich organ meats, B-vitamin and fiber-laden residues left after milling barley or corn, or fiber that is essential for intestinal health.
- Home-cooked diets are all the rage but require time, proper food handling, proper storage and care to balance the diet with all essential amino acids and nutrients. If in doubt, ask your veterinarian or consult a veterinary nutritionist at acvn.org. A wonderful online guide can be found at secure.balanceit.com/ez/?rotator=NewEz. Please note this website is for healthy adult pets.
- One other note on pet food manufacturers: Advertising and marketing do not make quality pet food. Research and development do. Investigate which pet food companies “create” their foods based on guidelines and which food companies actually test their diets to ensure palatability, safety and efficacy. Which companies do you see constantly on social media trying to convince you their food is best? Take these pet food companies with a grain of salt. Assess which pet food is easiest for your pet to digest, is one that they want to eat and makes your pet feel their best every day.
References: aafco.org, acvn.org, vetstreet.com
