We love our pets, from cats to chickens and rabbits. It can be difficult to choose the right food for your pet or animal.
This is our five-step guide for choosing the best feed for pets.
1. Choose a complete feed
Always verify that the label refers to the food “complete.” This is a term that indicates that the food has been tested and designed to meet all nutritional requirements.
Supplemental foods are treats that should be fed to your pet in addition to high-quality pet food.
2. Learn the List of Ingredients
It is important to understand and read the ingredients list of any food. After you’ve verified that a food item is “complete”, flip it over to confirm the ingredients.
Canines & Felines
A protein source should be included for your feline and canine friends first.
A high-quality food mix will usually have a meal, such as chicken, beef, or fish, at the top or bottom of the ingredient list. A meal is a protein that has been already processed and dehydrated. An unprocessed, whole protein such as deboned chicken may be listed at the first or second place.
Herbivores
You will need to verify that alfalfa, or any other hay with high fiber is first listed for herbivores such as rabbits. Healthy fibers should be a major part of their diet.
3. Compare Serving Size and Package Weight
If you have large pets, it can be tempting just to buy the biggest bag possible to save money. It is important to consider the individual serving sizes of each food and not the total package weight.
A smaller serving size means that the food is more nutritious and rich in healthy calories. A smaller bag may last for longer. This also means that there will be less food waste to clean up later.
4. Feed your animal according to its age and energy
Many foods are designed for different life stages (baby, senior, and adult). The nutritional balance of the food is designed to ensure your pet’s health, regardless of whether the ingredients are unchanged. Senior dog food will contain glucosamine to support joint health while puppy formula contains protein to help with growth.
Animals that are more active will require more food. This can lead to pets needing a higher level of protein. To ensure smooth transitions, keep an eye on your pets when changing their food.
5. These Treats are Amazing!
Treats can be a valuable tool for training and encouraging positive behavior. We can only see food from our human perspective. Sometimes, this means that we don’t realize how much we are overfeeding our animals.
Did you know that 1 ounce of cheese for a 20-pound dog is equal to 1 1/2 chocolate bars for one person? It’s true.
Although treats are a wonderful tool, they should not be considered a substitute for a healthy diet. You should ensure that treats are of the same quality as the food you give your pets.
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