Does it matter what food and treats you give your dog or cat? Is picking up the same old brand that you’ve always bought still ok? Are you confused by the vast array of what is available these days, and don’t know what to choose? Well you’re not alone, and it does indeed matter what you feed your pets. The recent food recalls proved that. Many pets died because their food was poisoned with tainted ingredients that came from China. China! There’s your first clue. My number one rule is that I never buy any food or treats with ingredients from other countries where checks and guidelines are not as stringent as here in the US.

Other nasties to watch out for? Chemical preservatives such as BHT, BHA, or Ethoxyquin (or “E” as it’s sometimes shown) are used to increase shelf-life and are now known to be bad for animals. They’ve been associated with poor health in general, organ malfunction, and even cancer. If you have a choice, why take the chance and buy food that contains them?
By-products and digests are another no-no. If you don’t like the idea of your pet eating such things as lungs, spleens, stomachs, blood, bones, beaks, and feathers, then avoid these, too. Some believe, and I don’t want to upset you here, just make you more aware, that they even include spoiled meat from supermarkets and slaughterhouses, road kill, euthanized animals, and more.

So what should you be looking for? There’s no one formula. But there is increasing choice these days. I like food that is made to be highly digestible so nutrients are absorbed more quickly – Flint River Ranch and Blackwood to name but two manufacturers off the top of my head who make their products this way. These foods, and many others, are also refreshingly devoid of fillers, such as corn, so they’re more nutritionally dense – this translates to you needing to feed less and thereby saving money. Look for food that is made of high quality, fresh ingredients and contains a nice long list of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. You shouldn’t need supplements if you’re choosing the right kind. The food bag should be screaming all this out loud to grab your attention. If they are, great, but read the label carefully to ensure that nothing bad has been slipped in!

Once you’ve found a brand you feel comfortable with, then you can pick out the variety you need within the brand for the special needs of your pet. If you have an older dog with joint problems go for one with glucosamine and chondroitin in; puppies need extra protein; overweight pets need less fat, and so on. Now is also the time to purchase elevated dog feeders for your pets so you can avoid future neck and back problems.

The really good news is that there is a growing number of companies who are moving with the times and recognizing that consumers want better for their pets, and are now making super premium, wholesome, natural food that you can trust. It just takes a bit more effort on our part to find them, check them out, and buy them. No, they’re not going to be in your grocery store – yet – but they’re starting to get into the pet superstores, and you can always find them online or in specialty shops. Do you have to pay more for them? Yes, but in the long run your pet will be healthier so you’ll need less visits to the vet. I would suggest that if your local pet store doesn’t stock these foods, ask them to. Companies live by supply and demand. It’s time we all demanded better.

If you want to read more about all this there are plenty of good web sites out there; just Google something like “natural dog food” and you’ll find all the reading you need to convince you. Bottom line – your pets can’t read the labels on their food bags, but you can! Seeing them live long and healthy lives will be your reward!