The Truth About Choosing Safe Healthy Pet Food

Do you prefer canned or dry food? Which brand? There are so many different brands, shapes, and sizes of pet food to select from, and pet owners are given very little information to base their decisions on (apart from advertising) - it can be very confusing! Buckle your seatbelt, because depending on your knowledge of the pet food market, this could be a rocky journey! You are about to uncover seven well-kept secrets regarding pet food. Take a seat, brace yourself, and continue reading.


Science Diet "promises" 'precisely balanced nutrition through continuous research and the highest quality food backed by your Vets endorsement' and sells for around $21.00 for only a 20 lb bag. Beneful says it's 'Premium Dog Food for a Happy, Healthy Dog' and sells for around $18.00 for a 31 lb. bag. Then there are the pet meals that make the same claims - 'Premium Dog Food, Highest Quality' - yet cost $30.00 or more for a 20 pound bag. The same can be said for cat owners... Do you go with Whiskas, whose slogan is "Everything we do is about making cats happy!" or one of those high-end cat meals that make the same claim of a happy, healthy cat but cost three times as much?

With the ongoing pet food recall, pet owners are asking, "Has this food been recalled?" or "Is this food the next one to be recalled?"... "Is my pet safe?" This is perplexing! And terrifying! So, what should a pet owner do? Why not discover a few secrets? It's not nearly as perplexing if you've learned a few pet food secrets.

Secret-1
Minerals are essential components of both human and animal diets. Copper, iron, and zinc are three minerals that are commonly present in pet meals. Copper, iron, and zinc are basically pebbles that are tough for anyone or any pet to use. Science has devised numerous methods for introducing minerals into the body (both human and animal) for improved absorption, hence benefiting the individual considerably more. This scientific advancement is known as chelating or proteinating, and it has been around for many years. Minerals are absorbed 60% better when they are chelated or proteinated than when they are not.

This trick involves identifying the minerals in your pet food and determining whether they are chelated or proteinated. Look for minerals near the bottom of the ingredient list on your pet food label. You want minerals that say 'copper proteinate' or 'chelated copper.' If you only see the mineral listed, your pet is like Charlie Brown on Halloween, stating, "I got a rock." If you want the best for your pet, chelated or proteinated minerals are included in the best foods!

Secret-2

This is known as 'friendly bacteria.' Although the term "friendly bacteria" may sound frightening, the reason for it is found in your pet's intestinal tract. The digestive system houses a substantial amount of your pet's immune system. Keeping the immune system healthy aids in the overall health of the animal. This friendly bacteria is comparable to what is found in yoghurt, but it is incorporated in pet food in such a way that the cooking process does not destroy it. When reading the fine print on your pet food label, search for long, scientific phrases like Lactobacillus Acidophilus or Bifidobacterium Thermophilum. If you don't notice these terms or something similar, your pet's diet isn't addressing immune system care. Again, if you want the best for your pet, you want 'friendly bacteria' in their diet.

Here are your seven tips to finding the healthiest and greatest pet chow for your four-legged friend. With those secrets in hand, you'll be able to find the greatest food for your pet! A pet diet that can help them live longer lives by preventing premature ageing and sickness. If you don't want to undertake the research, I recommend that you subscribe to my monthly publication Petsumer Report (TM). I've done all the legwork for you by reviewing and rating over 40 different pet meals, treats, toys, and other pet products each month through Petsumer Report(TM). It is the ONLY newspaper of its kind that provides pet owners with the information they need to make pet product purchases.

I have a couple more things to say...

It is ideal to feed an adult dog or cat twice a day. The nourishment they ingest with two meals each day is more efficient than with just one meal per day. If you presently feed your pet one meal per day, divide that amount into two meals and feed in the morning and evening.

You should be aware that all canned or moist pet foods contain between 70% and 85% moisture. This means that 70% to 85% of the nourishment in the can or pouch is water. Although our pets require water, cats, in particular, do not drink enough of it. However, because all canned or moist foods are primarily water, they do not supply enough nourishment to be fed exclusively on a canned or wet diet. Use a canned or moist product to enhance your pet's diet, not as the sole source of nutrition.

The best pet foods are organically preserved (secret #4), however there is one issue with naturally preserved pet foods...freshness. Take note of the expiration date on your pet's food label; normally, the expiration date is one year to 18 months from the day it was created with naturally preserved dry pet foods (not as much of a worry with soft meals due to canning - very little need for preservatives). Assume the pet food you want to buy cat toys online australia on July 1, 2007 has a 'Best if Used by' date of January 1, 2008. This indicates that the bag of pet food is more than 6 months old. While it is still 'excellent,' a fresher food - a bag no more than 2 or 3 months old - is preferable. Natural pet meals lose nutritional potency over time. Always go for a bag that is as fresh as possible.

If you are thinking of altering your pet's food, ALWAYS check with your veterinarian first. Any modifications you make to your pet should always be communicated to your veterinarian. Take no chances. If you do decide to switch pet food, do it gradually. I always advise pet owners to feed 14 new food to 34 old food for 4 to 7 days, 12 to 12 for another 4 to 7 days, and so on. Changing foods suddenly can cause digestive problems! It's only temporary, however we don't want an intestinal disorder!!!