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Being unsure about what to feed your pet can be quite a confusing choice to tackle. With numerous options available in the market, let alone the many options available with raw or cooked food, what makes the best meal for your pet? Read on to learn about nutritional facts about canned and cooked food, and which type would suit your pet better.
Canned Food
Canned foods can be a great source of water for those pets that aren’t in the habit of keeping hydrated during the day. A more palatable option, canned food works great for older pets and those with a diminished sense of smell, being both high in scent and rich in flavor. Always a good option for a sick pet, canned food gets their appetite going and helps boost healing by being packed full of nutrients. Your pet is certain to receive a meal full of vitamins, essential proteins, minerals, and oils needed for a healthy body and glossy coat. Though canned food can have its downfalls too, its soft nature causes an easy build-up of plaque and tartar. The shelf life of canned food once opened is quite short it should be consumed within the day to avoid spoiling. Canned food is expensive and can start to bore a hole through your pocket if you begin to use it as a daily option for your pet.
Fresh Food
Fresh, either raw or cooked, food is a healthy option for your pet. The process takes a lot more planning and organization than just chopping up a chicken or some beef and chucking it into a bowl. You should first decide if you’d want your pet to eat raw or cooked food. Some pets might not be able to digest raw meats due to the poor gastrointestinal system or if suffering from intestinal problems. Decide on the type of protein you would like for your pet, you could even alternate proteins and keep an eye out for the ones your pet prefers. Cut the meat up into bite-sized pieces, use organs or spare parts too if you like. Avoid using chicken bones as far as possible, since they are sharp when they splinter and can cut or scrape your pet’s intestines. Beef or larger bones are okay for your pet to gnaw on after they’ve finished their meal. Add a bunch of nonstarchy vegetables like carrots, spinach, turnip, chard, etc. that add healthy nutrients and provide roughage and fiber.
Here’s the Checklist for Evaluating Pet Food Options
One of the keys to ensuring your four-legged friend has a long and healthy life is to feed it high-quality meals. These days, due to the expansion of the commercial pet food industry, it is crucial you know what you are giving your furry companion.
When you go to a local supermarket, you will come across pet food from a variety of manufacturers. Similarly, the list of ingredients they use differs in every brand. The best way to make sure your pet receives the right food is to evaluate all the available options. Given below is a simple checklist that will ensure your furry friend gets all the necessary nutrients from commercial pet food:
Check the reputation of the brand
It is a profitable business for companies to make pet food, as there are millions of four-legged companions in households all over the country. Once owners find out their furry animals love a specific brand, they may never switch to another firm’s products.
However, not every company is the same, as they use different types of ingredients in pet food. The best way to know which one is good for your furry friend is to do your research. If the company has been in the market for a long time, there is a reason why they remain relevant even today.
Find out if the pet food manufacturer conducted trials
The company whose pet food you choose should hold feeding trials, to see if it is appropriate for specific pets. Will you purchase a product, if the firm only tells you that it is safe without any testing? Not only will you avoid it, but you will also make sure your family and friends know about it.
The same applies when it comes to pet food, so you need to make sure it follows AAFCO procedures. If it does so, it means that the company followed the necessary protocols set by this organization for testing its diet. It is a relevant standard, which helps you differentiate the best of the lot.
Presence of veterinarians and strict quality control
When there are veterinarians in the company, it shows that the manufacturer is taking nutrition seriously. Only these professionals know what type of diet is right for the well-being of pets.
Similarly, the food should have gone through multiple quality control checks. The reason is that it ensures that the manufacturer follows the industry standard to keep contaminants out of their products.
Zero unproven claims
A common marketing technique among pet food companies is to display various applications on their products. The reason is that it captures your eye, increasing the chances of you purchasing it.
However, you shouldn't just believe the claims to be valid. You must check if the company provided information on how it made a specific statement. If you don't find any verification for the claim, you should avoid this pet food manufacturer. Make sure you follow this checklist before purchasing pet food from a local supermarket!
