Just as the emphasis on eating healthily is very much part of our culture, how do you go about trying to choose the best foods for your pet? Pet food has also come under much scrutiny in recent years and selecting the best food for your pet with so much choice out there and eye-catching pet brand marketing can be tricky. Our Pet PR Team share their tips and advice without making a ‘meal out of it’!
You Are What You Eat
We all know which foods are good for us and which are not so good in large quantities, however when it comes to feeding our pets, there is still a lot of confusion surrounding nutrition and the best food for your pet, but taking time to look at the label can reveal a lot more than at first glance. The best pet food might not be the ones for sale in the supermarket. Do your research.
The Right Ingredients
While all pet food must list the ingredients, it’s essential to note that ingredients are listed by their weight so heavier foods will come up higher in the listing that other food. This can confuse pet parents as fruits and vegetables and meat contain a large percentage of water, so it’s not the full story. It helps if you delved further.
Further Reading
Take time to read more about who the food is designed for; Is it intended for puppies, active or veterans. Choosing a menu that is correct for your pet’s activity levels and age is a significant consideration. A diet that has been formulated for an elderly dog, for example, will contain nutrients that will support that older dog at this time in his life. It won’t be suitable or the best food for a young puppy.
Feeding the Right Amount
It makes sense to feed for the animals’ activity levels. However, pets have different metabolic rates to consider as well as various breeds with very different needs. Getting the balance and amount of food right comes with careful monitoring and seeking expert pet nutritional or veterinary advice.
Look Closer
When it comes to analysing the best food, keep an eye out for salt, sugar, artificial colours, flavours and preservatives. Mentions of ‘animal derivatives’ or ‘un-named meat sources’ will mean that you won’t know what your furry friend is actually consuming either. A lot of pet foods contain fillers such as corn, wheat, potatoes and soy, which bulk up the food and others contain known allergies such as pork, wheat, eggs and dairy. Pet food brands can hide these ingredients if they feature in small quantities, so look for brands that are open and transparent in what they actively don’t feature in their pet food. The Pet Food Manufacturers Association is a good place to look for brands.
There are some fantastic emerging British brands which are breaking the traditional mould. Many of these best British pet food companies are passionate about your pets’ welfare and offer clarity and transparency on exactly what goes into their feed. A few are now also offering a bespoke approach to feeding your pet with tailored diets and feeding plans based on your individual pets’ needs.
Want some Winter Woof Appeal, then check out our blog for our top six tips for enjoying the winter months ahead.
