You may have noticed that pet food aisles can seem overwhelming if you’ve been in a store recently. There are many brands to choose from, and there are many varieties. Pet food packaging’s ultimate goal is to get you, the customer, to buy the food. Labels that say “gourmet”, “holistic”, or “human grade” aren’t regulated so they don’t have much meaning. To make matters worse, persistent myths persist that you can judge the quality of a food’s ingredients by looking at the ingredient list. Look for foods that either have meat as the first ingredient or do not contain corn.
We veterinarians are more concerned with nutrients than the ingredients. By-products and meat meals can often have liver and other tissues, which are richer in nutrients than skeletal muscle (meat), while corn can be a great source of carbohydrates.
AAFCO Statement
The American Association of Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) has a statement on pet food bags in the United States. These statements may vary depending on the pet’s age and type of diet. However, you will generally find the phrases ‘formulated for’ or ‘feeding trials/tests. The first phrase indicates that the diet contains the necessary nutrients and energy on paper. The second signifies that the diet was actually fed to animals and is nutritionally adequate. Many diets that appear good on paper might not be able to digest certain ingredients and could cause deficiencies. You should choose food that has undergone feeding tests to ensure its adequacy.
A company with a good reputation is a good choice
A company with a good reputation such as Korme pet food company – korme.lt/ – is one that has a veterinarian nutritionist on staff, quality control measures in place, as well as releasing calorie and nutritional information. It is sometimes difficult to determine the calorie count of pet food because it is not required to be listed on the label. The majority of labels have a Guaranteed Analysis’ that lists the minimum and/or maximal amount of nutrients. This analysis doesn’t take into account water content and is therefore not useful for comparing food. A good pet food company will have all energy and nutrient analysis information online. If a customer calls, they will also release this information. If you need more information, the WSAVA (World Small Animal Veterinary Association), website provides a great guideline.
Avoid foods containing exotic ingredients unless your vet recommends them.
Recent trends in pet food include exotic or novel ingredients such as rabbit, venison, and duck. Many pets have allergies to protein and veterinarians recommend a ‘novel-protein’ diet. The diets only contain one protein source and one source of carbohydrate (such as potato and venison) and are therefore new to pets. This means that the pet has never had to eat these ingredients and is unlikely to become allergic or sensitive. Over-the-counter pet food manufacturers have begun to produce novel ingredients. Sometimes these foods claim to be ‘for sensitive stomachs’ or ‘for skin health’. These over-the-counter foods can contain other ingredients that can cause allergies, and they are often made on the same equipment as other foods. Your veterinarian may not be able to recommend a diet if your pet has been exposed to rabbit, venison, or other allergens. You can find high-quality diets that include beef, chicken, eggs, and lamb.
Select a food that is appropriate for your pet’s life stage
Many pet foods will have a “life stage” label. This means that they are nutritionally appropriate for either puppies or kittens (growth), or adults (maintenance). Certain foods may be listed as suitable for all life stages and nutritionally adequate. Problem is that puppies and kittens require different nutrients and energy than adults. Foods for all life stages could have more nutrients than they need. It is best to purchase food that has been specifically labeled for the life stage of your pet. However, claims such as’senior’ and ‘large-breed’ are not subject to specific regulations. These foods may have different nutritional profiles. It is best to call the company to get a detailed nutrient analysis.