Animal Medical Center & Associates P.C.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR WHEN SELECTING A PET FOOD

Dr. Jarvis Skip Williams

• It needs to be labeled: Complete and Balanced.
• Select only a well known and reputable manufacturer.
• Look for Feeding Trials. As opposed to “formulated” according to some “standards.”
• Select the appropriate life stage which should be substantiated by the company’s feeding trials.
• Be skeptical of marketing. The terms “organic, human grade, premium, holistic,” are not regulated, and “natural” only means there are no chemically synthesized ingredients (usually just preservatives.)
• The manufacturer should have a Research Department with a full time Nutritionist.
• It is a myth that grain is a “filler.” It is an economical source of useful protein. Some companies substitute potatoes, which are mostly carbohydrates. Bi-products are OK. (Just parts humans don’t usually eat.)
• The term Senior Diet is meaningless. It is really just an Adult Diet.
• Is the animal able to do its job on the food you select—hunting, seeing-eye, guard, etc?
• The terms High-Pro or High Protein are meaningless, and not established by the USDA. In fact, it may be too high in protein, or have poor quality protein in it, and actually damage the kidneys.
• Reduced, Light, Lite, Low Calorie, Weight Reduction varies enormously. The calorie content is on the label but most consumers can’t understand it.
• The first three ingredients should be from animal sources and not vegetable.
• If it says With Catfish, it only has to be 3% catfish. If it says Fish Flavor that particular flavor only needs to be distinguished from a different flavor.
• The Guaranteed Analysis tells the minimum fat and protein, not actual amount, so it could have lots of fat for flavor (not good.) Fancy Feast’s fat content varies from 25% to 55%.
• If it says intended for intermittent or supplemental diet, it is not “Complete and Balanced” so not intended for continued use.
• Look for an 800 Number so you can get specifics concerning many of the above points.

YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR

The quality of the food is determined by the quality of the ingredients. Cheap food has cheap ingredients, so is often not fully absorbed, and results in the pet eating more, and then having larger stools, which negates the savings. Cheap ingredients can be harmful, (especially to kidneys), or the pet doesn’t achieve its full potential growth, or are fattening.