Dog and cat nutrition – comparing pet foods
There are many different pet foods available (made from many different combinations of ingredients) for owners to feed their pets and it is important to understand the factors that make pet foods different. This will enable you, the owner, to make on-the-spot comparisons between products and choose the best one for your pet.
Determine the food’s purpose
Is the food for a dog or a cat (they have very different nutritional requirements)?
Is it a maintenance diet, for a puppy/kitten, for an older dog, for a small/medium/large breed, for a working/active dog or for weight management?
All these foods are available and formulated differently to meet your pet’s specific individual needs.
Check the nutrition claims on the pack
Is the food “complete and balanced”? This claim means that all the nutrients your pet requires are met and that they are balanced to the daily energy needs.
Does the food “meet the nutrient profiles of AAFCO”? AAFCO stands for Association of American feed control officials. This claim will give you the highest level of nutritional assurance that a pet food meets the stringent requirements set by AAFCO.
Check the ingredient list
Some ingredients are better quality than others in terms of the energy and nutrients they provide. For a given amount, high-quality ingredients tend to provide more energy and nutrients than lower-quality ones, so you need less of them.
When comparing foods, check how much you would need to feed your pet each day. The difference between foods can be huge - you may need to feed so much of a lower-quality food that you will pay more in the long-run.
Note the unique benefits
High-quality pet foods give your pet unique benefits such as intestinal health, immune system enhancement, antioxidant support, dental defence and many others, all included in the price. Check what you’re getting for your money.
If you would like help with choosing the right food for your pet, please come in and see us at the Feilding branch – we will be delighted to provide you with a solution that is right for you and your pet.
