Pet nutrition: Feeding Fido And Fluffy

Does your pet get excited about meal time? We’re betting that’s a yes. While our patients have wildly differing perspectives on most topics, the bulk of them agree on one thing: they absolutely love meals and snacks. Filling Fluffy and Fido’s bowls isn’t difficult, but deciding what to put in them can be complicated. In this article from Hassayampa Veterinary Services, serving Wickenburg and the surrounding communities, a local veterinarian shares some tips on pet nutrition.

What Ingredients in Pet Food Should You Avoid?

One of the most significant aspects to consider? Ingredients. Many pet foods are heavily processed, and contain fillers, additives, and preservatives. These may not only be suboptimal, but even harmful.

Here are some things to avoid in your pet’s food:

Corn Syrup/High Fructose Corn Syrup: If you’ve adopted the habit of reading food labels, you’ve probably noticed that corn syrup is now used in many food items. It has been related to a number of human medical disorders, including heart disease, diabetes, and fatty liver disease. It is not harmful to Fido, but it is high in sugar and is generally unhealthy for him.

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

Artificial Food Coloring: Dyes will do nothing to improve your pet’s health. They are typically used to make the finished product appear more appealing and uniform to humans. Red #40, Yellow #5, and Yellow #6 are especially problematic. They all include benzidine, which is a recognized carcinogen.

Rendered Fat: Rendered fat may appear logical, however it is frequently prepared by combining and boiling the undesired portions left over after animals have been processed for meat. Unfortunately, some of the animals may have been ill or infected.

Propylene Glycol: Propylene glycol is a food stabilizer that is commonly used in both Fido and Fluffy treats. Large doses can induce adverse effects. It has also been outlawed in Europe, which is reason enough to be concerned.

Thickening Agents: While thickening agents are unlikely to be at the top of the list of harmful foods, they are also not without drawbacks. Carrageenan, guar, xanthum, and cassia gums are among the most often utilized. They also offer advantages, such as stability and texture. However, some study indicates that they may be carcinogenic.

For further information, ask your veterinarian.

How Should I Choose the Right Food?

The first thing we suggest is that you consult with your veterinarian. While we may discuss some broad ideas, it is vital to remember that each pet is unique. Several things come into play here, including your pet’s age, health, breed, lifestyle, and any medical concerns. An underweight Boston Terrier has extremely different dietary needs than a plump Lab, and a young German Shepherd requires different food than a senior Poodle.

Aside from that, stick to brands that have AFFCO clearance. AFFCO, or the Association of American Feed Control Officials, is a non-profit organization dedicated to regulating pet food ingredients, manufacturing methods, and quality. They work to guarantee that pet food fulfills the essential quality standards to keep your pet healthy, as well as confirming that the nutrients in a specific food are in the proper amounts. A seal of approval from them confirms that the brand has been thoroughly assessed.

The AFFCO divides pet food ingredients or nutrition into six categories.

Water: The moisture content of your pet’s food might affect how easily they absorb the nutrients. For instance, our feline friends actually need quite a bit of moisture in their diets. As we all know, mice, birds, and other animals make up cats’ natural diets. Fluffy also consumes her prey raw, which ensures she gets plenty of water from her diet, on top of what she drinks.

Protein: Protein is essential for pets’ cartilage, tendons, ligaments, skin, fur, claws, muscle, and blood cells. As it degrades, it produces vital amino acids, which are critical for your pet’s health and survival. Chicken, lamb, fish meal, cattle, and eggs are common sources of animal protein in pet food. Plant-based proteins include corn-gluten meal, soybean meal, and legumes.

Vitamins: Vitamins help many of your pet’s organs and systems function properly. Different vitamins have various functions. We will not go into depth about each one, save to point out that it is critical that vitamins be added in the proper proportions. Both too much and too little are risky. Vitamin A, Vitamin B, Vitamin C, Vitamin D, Vitamin E, iron, zinc, and calcium are all vital nutrients for pets.

Minerals: Minerals are also important for your pet’s health because they maintain its internal systems. Iron, zinc, copper, and magnesium are essential nutrients for dogs and cats.

Fat: Fat offers energy, protects Fido’s coat and skin, and lowers inflammation. It is also important for helping pets absorb nutrition, hormone synthesis, and providing insulation and protection. Linoleic acid, flaxseed, and fish oils are all potential sources of fat in pet food. Fatty acids, such as omega-3 and omega-6, are essential for pets.

Carbohydrates/Fiber: Carbs give dogs energy as glucose, which is essential for keeping them moving and active, and keeping those tails wagging. Cats, on the other hand, require no carbohydrates in their diet. Fluffy will, however, continue to acquire carbs and fiber from her prey in the wild. However, carbohydrates should not be the primary constituent in a dog or cat’s diet.

Making Sense of Pet Food Labeling

One of the most effective things you can do is develop the habit of reading food labels. Here’s when things can get difficult. Many businesses employ deceptive marketing strategies to make their items appear better than they are.

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

• Brands And Product Names
• Name Of The Animal That The Food Is Intended For (Dog, Cat, Etc.)
• Quality Statement (A nutritional sufficiency declaration 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.”)
• Ingredients List 
• Feeding Instructions
• Analysis: This is a huge one because it shows the percentages of the nutrients stated above. While some elements can be specified with a maximum percentage and others with minimums, the list must be in a specific order and in measured units.
• The name and address of the manufacturer or distributor

The ingredient list is where things can get complex, thanks in large part to labeling requirements. For example, if an ingredient appears in the name of a product, it must account for at least 95 percent of the item. There are some workarounds, though. Something labeled ‘flavor’ just needs to include roughly 3% of that element.

Make sure to consult your Wickenburg, AZ veterinarian for specific recommendations on what to feed Fido and Fluffy. That involves receiving advice on things like food sizes and meal times.

Make An Appointment At Our Wickenburg, AZ Pet Clinic

Have you any queries or worries concerning your pet’s diet? Are you wondering what you should feed your pet? Please contact us at Hassayampa Veterinary Services, serving Wickenburg and the surrounding communities, anytime.