By Dr. Al Townshend
The Good and the Bad Basic Ingredients
Have you thought about finding the right pet food for your pet? With hundreds of pet foods available today, every brand advertises their food as the right pet food for your pet. But the truth is there is no one food that is right for every pet!
Pet Planet is here to help educate you on a few steps to finding the right pet food for your pet.
Food For Thought
Before thinking about the right pet food for your pet, first consider your pet’s current life-stage (puppy, adult, senior), their breed (small breed, large breed) and how active your pet is.
Also, after you’ve made these considerations, it’s time to figure out what ingredients are really on the back of your pet food.
Protein
Dogs and cats have spent the majority of their evolution as meat eaters (carnivores).
As a result, they need a major portion of their daily diet to be protein.
Also, every pet may have a different protein need. Ask a Pet Plant Ambassador to help determine which level of protein may be right for your pet
Good Sources of Protein
When looking for a good source of protein, consider a highly digestible one. Certainly, these may include fresh meats, concentrated meals (this is fresh meat with moisture removed), dehydrated or freeze-dried meats. Additionally, an animal protein should be the primary ingredient.
If you find a diet with good protein, you’ll likely find you feed less food overall. With less nutritious pet foods, you will end up feeding more overall. As a result, you’ll have to clean more poop when you feed bad food!
Bad Sources of Protein
Avoid protein that contains cheap, non-meat sources like corn, soy, or wheat. Also look for poor meat sources. These will read as meat by-products or meat and bone meal on the ingredient panel.
When a pet eats these, they may lead to poor digestion and a lack of complete nutrition.
Fat
Fat is also another important ingredient in your pet’s daily diet. Furthermore, there are certain fats, like protein, that need to be in the recipe in order for the diet to be complete and balanced.
Good Sources of Fat
The best fats contain balanced Omega 6 and Omega 3 fats that are heart-healthy, support the immune system and help with hair and coat health. Fat is a concentrated source of calories so the level of fat needs to be controlled in order to avoid too many calories and unwanted weight gain.
Look for high-quality animal fats like chicken fat, salmon oil, canola oil or flax-seed oil.
Bad Sources of Fat
Finally, avoid fats such as tallow or lard.
Ingredients do make a difference. Finding the right foods that contain quality, natural ingredients are one of the keys to providing your pets with a long, happy and healthy life.
Want help selecting a pet food for your pet? Get a free Pet Planet Nutrition Consultation at a Pet Planet Health location near you.
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