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

What Ingredients in Pet Food Should You Avoid?

Finding out what is in your pet’s food is key here. Many varieties of human and pet foods are heavily processed these days, and may contain fillers, preservatives, and other ingredients. These may not only be suboptimal, but even harmful.

Corn Syrup/High Fructose Corn Syrup: If you’ve developed the habit of reading food labels, you’ve probably noticed that corn syrup is now used in, well, practically everything. 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: The most frequent ones 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. Fido doesn’t care what his dinner looks like. Red #40, Yellow #5, and Yellow #6 are especially problematic. These all include benzidine, which is a recognized carcinogen.

Rendered Fat: Rendered fat may appear like a logical ingredient. 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 do have some drawbacks. Carrageenan, guar, xanthan, and cassia gums are among the most often utilized. They also offer advantages, such as stability and texture. However, some studies indicate that they may be carcinogenic.

For further information, ask your Bellaire, TX veterinarian.

How Should I Choose the Right Food?

The first thing we would suggest is that you consult with your veterinarian. While we may go over some broad ideas, it is vital to remember that each pet is unique. Several things need to be considered here, including your pet’s age, health, breed, and lifestyle, as well as any medical concerns they may have. An underweight Pomeranian has extremely different dietary needs than a plump Lab, and a young St. Bernard requires different food than a senior Chihuahua.

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 laws. They work to guarantee that pet food fulfills the essential quality standards to keep your pet healthy, as well as that the nutrients 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: Your pet should always have access to fresh water. Water is also used in meals. The moisture content of your pet’s food might affect how easily they absorb the nutrients. Kitties are a prime example of this. 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 natural diet.

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.

Carbohydrates, Including Fiber: Carbs give dogs energy in the form of glucose, which is essential for keeping their tails wagging. Cats, on the other hand, require no carbohydrates in their diet, though Fluffy will get some trace amounts of carbs and fiber from her prey in the wild. 

Vitamins: Vitamins help many of your pet’s organs and systems function properly. Different vitamins have various functions. We will not go into detail about each one, save to say that it is critical that vitamins be added in the proper proportions. Both too much and too little can be 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 your furry pal’s internal systems. Iron, zinc, copper, and magnesium are essential 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 to his internal organs. 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.

Ask your Bellaire, TX vet for specific advice.

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. These include the following:

• Brands and product names
• Name of the animal that the food is for (dog, cat, etc.)
• Quality statement
• Ingredients list, 
• Feeding instructions (Suggested servings) 
• 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.
• 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.”
• 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 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 Bellaire, Tx Pet Clinic.

Do you have any questions concerning your pet’s diet? Are you wondering what you should feed your pet? Please contact us, your local Bellaire, TX pet hospital, at any time.