March 8, 2011
Pet Food for Thought
By: Ashley Owen Hill, guest columnist
THE MERIDIAN STAR
See Spot. See Spot run. See Spot stop running, because he is overweight. Or underweight. Or unhealthy from a low-quality dog food. See Spot looking at you like, ‘Come on. Would you eat this stuff?’ See Felix the Cat say, ‘Amen, brother.’
Most pet owners have an understanding that food is a must for their pet. Dogs and cats should be fed an adequate amount each day based on their weight and energy needs. Duh, right? But will any ole food suffice? Believe it or not, your pet food decision determines their health.
Many people choose to buy the cheapest pet food on the shelf, because clearly, a cheap price means higher quality, right? Wrong. The quality of your pet’s food has a direct impact on their health and lifespan. If you spend more money on food now, you’ll likely spend less on medical conditions later.
You might be surprised to hear that the most popular pet food brands are actually made with the poorest quality ingredients, and your pet’s health depends on the ingredients! The first or second ingredient listed should be an animal protein such as beef, lamb, chicken, or turkey. Concentrated sources of protein known as ‘meal’ (such as ‘lamb meal’) are actually preferred over whole meats (‘lamb’). Whole grains, vegetable and fruit fiber, and quality fat sources (vegetable or fish oils) should also be present. Great brands include Blue Buffalo, Wellness, and Nutro. Avoid foods with lots of crazy-long-word ingredients. If you can’t pronounce the ingredient list with some minimum level of intelligence, consider the food unfit for a stuffed animal.
While high-quality brands may cost a little more money, these foods actually provide more bang for your buck. With fewer filler ingredients (non-digestible additives), you’ll be able to feed your pet smaller portions providing more nutrition. Not to mention the reduction in vet expenses down the road!
In addition, many low-quality foods can cause a multitude of skin issues. If your pet has hair loss or skin irritation, they may be experiencing an allergic reaction to their diet. Consult with your veterinarian and consider switching to a higher-quality formula.
Also, never over- or under-feed your pet. Pet obesity can lead to diabetes, joint pain, heart disease, and decreased lifespan. You aren’t doing your pets any favors by treating them like garbage disposals. Underweight pets can experience many painful health problems and low energy. Therefore, base daily feedings on your pet’s weight and energy needs.
One last point, providing water for your pet seems obvious, but so many people forget this necessity. Dogs and cats should always have access to fresh, clean water. If there are unknown organisms throwing a pool party in your pet’s water bowl, then it’s time to wash and refill with fresh water.
Our pets’ health depends on our choices for their diet. The best decision for your pocketbook now may be the worst decision for your pet’s health later. So put the fancy clothes back on the rack, and put your money where your pet’s mouth is.
Ashley Owen Hill is the owner of Lucky Dog Retreat, 8659 Hillview Dr, Meridian. Email her at Ashley@luckydogretreatmeridian.com. Follow her blog at www.luckydogrescueblog.blogspot.com.
It is about time this information became more widely available and discussed. Obese pets are now everywhere and in my mind that is tantamount to animal abuse. They cannot buy their food and they do not choose what you feed them so please take your role as guardian seriously and do the right thing.
ReplyDeleteThis is so right on, Ashley! Our pets depend on us to keep them healthy, and everything you mentioned is a MUST if someone is bringing a pet into their home. By-products are bad, bad, bad too as you well know (beaks, nails, feathers, teeth, horns, hooves, poo). Gross! Some of the most popular "top" brands have this as their first ingredient! Also, fountains are a great way to get your pets to drink a clean, fresh, adequate amount of water. Sometimes they even use them for play time :) Ash, you have mad writing skills, and I so love to read your blog and articles!! Love you!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for letting well-meaning folks know that they are slowly killing their furkids (or, at least shortening their life-spans)by feeding them 'brand-name', yet poor quality food..(and usually WAY TOO much)...
ReplyDeleteA little info definitely can go a looong way :)
Thx again..
Not only for this article...But, for ALL that you do..
Thanks for all of this info. Daisy happily consumed her first serving of Blue Buffalo brand food this morning. :0)
ReplyDeleteThanks for writing this! I'm an avid dog food snob and always try to remind people that the foods they think are good are really some of the worst! Would you feed your kids poor-quality food every single day? Hah... well... I guess some people do. But... glad to know that there are other people educated about dog food!
ReplyDeleteHi-Just found your site through truthaboutpetfood.com I definitely agree with the point of your post but some of the brands of food you mentioned are NOT on the healthy list. Are you a reader of truthaboutpetfood.com? If not, please become one. It is so obvious, the love and compassion you have for animals and you have quite the following. So it would be amazing if you could get the word out!
ReplyDeleteNutro killed my dog, Cody. Nutro was one of the largest brands involved in the pet food recall of 2007. It is always smart to look for a food that has never been involved in a recall and that is a very hard thing to do these days. And Wellness is currently on the recall list!
Thank you for all that you do! You are truly an inspiration!
Christian, thank you for your comment. Just so you know, I write a Pet Column for my local newspaper, and I had to provide options that we have here locally. Unfortunately, we are a very small town and good options are limited. Out of those available, these are 3 of the best. Thank you :)
ReplyDeleteGreat article Ashley! I'd just like to add that one of the healthiest options is to home cook your dog's food. I have 3 senior dogs, all rescue, 2 severely neglected and brought their health around pretty quickly with steamed organic vegetables and free range chicken/grass fed beef. I lightly cook the meat so it is still pink and as close to raw as possible (for meat I buy local organic directly from the farmer so it is clean, pure, and antibiotic-free)and combine in a food processor. My dogs also get raw chicken necks, raw meaty bones and vitamin supplements. While it may seem more expensive - it saves you going to the vet b/c your dogs will have an easier time maintaining their health on fresh organic foods.I read about this diet in a holistic pet care book written by a veterinarian-I wish I could remember the name it was such a great book. Anyway, if you are interested this diet can work wonders and the dogs LOVE it!
ReplyDeleteBless you for all you do.
Hear hear!
ReplyDeletePersonally, I raw feed all my animals, both my own and my fosters. I'm lucky enough to have Ian Billinghurst as my vet, and be working with a rescue run by someone who is as passionate about good nutrition as I am,
Thanks for writing this! I'm an avid dog food snob and always try to remind people that the foods they think are good are really some of the worst! The quality of your pet’s food has a direct impact on their health and lifespan. If you spend more money on food now, you’ll likely spend less on medical conditions later. If your pet has hair loss or skin irritation, they may be experiencing an allergic reaction to their diet. Consult with your veterinarian and consider switching to a higher-quality formula.Would you feed your kids poor-quality food every single day? Hah... well... I guess some people do. But... glad to know that there are other people educated about dog food!
ReplyDelete