Low-quality pet food can pose a legitimate threat to the health and wellbeing of your cat and/or dog. You must do what you can to steer clear of purchasing those potentially harmful products.
It’s your responsibility as a pet owner to be more informed regarding food purchases. Still, we understand that not everyone has the time to fully research that matter.
To make things easier for you, we’ve detailed some tips below that will allow you to determine pet food quality faster. Take note of them as you go shopping to ensure that you purchase only the best treats for your beloved companions.
Look for the Nutritional Adequacy Statement on Pet Food
The most important thing to look for in any commercial pet food you’re buying is the nutritional adequacy statement.
The nutritional adequacy statement authored by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) is an indicator telling you that the pet food in question can properly nourish your companion. A “complete and balanced” nutritional adequacy statement is arguably the best thing you can find on a pet food label.
Aside from hinting at the pet food’s nutrient content, the nutritional adequacy statement also details life stages. You can refer to the nutritional adequacy statement as you’re trying to figure out if the food is more suitable for a kitten or adult cat.
The nutritional adequacy statement is typically found either on the side of the packaging or at the back. It’s also often laid out in small print so read carefully to confirm that you are indeed looking at the nutritional adequacy statement.
The bottom line is that the nutritional adequacy statement must be present on any type of pet food you buy. Without it, you cannot be certain that you’re purchasing a quality product.
Shy Away from Items That Use Artificial Preservatives
Big bags of pet food need to remain edible for long periods of time. Manufacturers often use preservatives to give their products that desired longevity.
When you think of preservatives, you likely think of chemicals. Many folks regard them as necessary inclusions in food because they are still preferable to early spoilage.
However, you should know that using artificial preservatives is not a necessity. That holds true even for pet food.
You can find manufacturers out there that use natural-source preservatives for their products. Natural-source preservatives are often labeled as mixed tocopherols on pet food.
Those natural-source preservatives usually aren’t as effective as their artificial counterparts. Pet foods that contain them still spoil faster compared to those that make use of artificial preservatives.
Another option is to purchase pet food that uses no preservatives whatsoever. Your pets will definitely enjoy digging into those treats.
Ask Questions if Necessary
We can only convey so much information regarding pet food. The reality is that there are numerous other topics we won’t be able to cover here. There’s still a chance you might feel lost the next time you try to buy pet food at the supermarket.
To avoid making a bad purchase, consider placing a call to the relevant entities. If there are ingredients on the label that you’ve never heard of before, reach out to the manufacturer for clarification. Ask them what those unknown ingredients are for and where they came from.
You should be able to make a better decision once you get that additional information from the manufacturer.
Don’t worry if you cannot get in touch with the manufacturers. You can also contact the relevant government agency in your area and direct your questions to them. They should be able to tell you more about those ingredients and you’ll be able to decide if the pet food is good enough for your dear companion.
Figuring out whether a particular type of food is suitable for your pet can be tricky. Use the tips in this article to make that selection process easier to navigate.
Choosing pet food should not be taken lightly. If you need extra time to select pet food, our sitters are available to stay with your pet. Get in touch with us at TAILored Pet Services if you wish to know more about the services we offer. You can reach us by either calling 425-923-7791 or by emailing through our website.
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