What To Feed Your Furry Friend

Does your pet get excited at 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 enjoy 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, a local Fort Myers, FL veterinarian shares some tips on pet nutrition.

What Ingredients in Pet Food Should You Avoid?

One of the most important things to consider is what is in your pet’s food? Many varieties of human and pet foods are heavily processed these days, and they may contain fillers, preservatives, and other ingredients. These may not only be suboptimal, but even harmful.

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

• 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, but 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.
• 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 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.
• 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, xanthan, and cassia gums are among the most often utilized. They also offer advantages, such as stability and texture. However, some studies seem to indicate that they may be carcinogenic.

For further information, ask your Fort Myers, FL veterinarian.

How Do I Pick the Right Food?

The first thing we would suggest is that you consult with your veterinarian. While we may go over some broad ideas here, it is vital to remember that each pet is unique. Several criteria 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.

You’ll also need to decide between canned food and kibble. Both have their own pros and cons. Canned food is usually superior nutritionally, but it is more expensive and doesn’t last as long. Ask your vet for information.

We would suggest sticking 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 evaluated.

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

1. 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.

2. Carbohydrates

Carbs give dogs energy in the form of glucose, which is essential for keeping their tails wagging. Cats don’t need carbs, but they do get some carbs and fiber from their prey in the wild. However, carbohydrates should not be the primary constituent in a dog or cat’s diet.

3. 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 are risky. Vitamin A, Vitamin B, Vitamin C, Vitamin D, Vitamin E, iron, zinc, and calcium are all vital nutrients for pets.

4. Minerals

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

5. 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.

6. 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.

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. That includes the following pieces of information:

• Brand name
• Product name
• Type of animal the food is for (dog, cat, etc.)
• Quality statement
• 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.
• Contact Info: Name and address of the manufacturer or distributor
• Ingredient List: This 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.

Schedule An Appointment At Our Fort Myers, FL Pet Clinic

Do you have any questions about your pet’s diet? Are you wondering what you should feed your pet? Please contact us, your local Fort Myers, FL pet hospital, at any time.