5 Reasons You Should be Reading Pet Food Labels
It is easy to fall for those big brown puppy dog eyes begging for whatever it is you happen to be eating. Even when they are not hungry, our canine fur kids will pretty much eat or chew anything in their way, or at least they will try to. From your decorative soaps or your best pair of shoes, to freshly home baked cookies or pretty much anything they find in the bin! We all love our special four-legged family members and they rely on us to take care of them in every way. So knowing exactly what they are eating is essential. Just like a lot of us these days have learned to carefully read the labels on our own food, we need to learn to decipher our pet food labels too.
1. Take Notice of Product Recalls
Mistakes happen, things go wrong. It is just a fact of life and it occasionally happens to even the best brand of pet food too. Products can become contaminated and dogs can become sick. The risk of contamination is also higher if the food contains flavour enhancers, which are sprayed on dried pet food just before packing.
Salmonella, a common food poisoning bacteria, can survive in pet food for months after it has been packed. So if the product you choose for your pet has flavour enhancers, keep an eye on your dog’s health and potential symptoms and be sure take note of any recalls.
2. Check for Meat By-Products
It is sometimes difficult to know exactly what your pet food is made from just by what is written on the front of the pack. Terms like ‘meat’ or ‘poultry’ can be used to indicate the protein source but it can also mean it contains a lot of meat by-products; a low quality, non-nutritional ‘filler’. Meat by-products can be mixed with proper meat, and they can range from feathers and hair to hooves and beaks with no nutritional value at all. Look for terms like ‘chicken’, ‘beef’ or ‘turkey’ and even ‘liver’ which is bursting with nutrition, to ensure the highest quality meat is being consumed by your pup.
3. Grain-Free is Best
Sometimes pet food can contain grains, yet our furry friends do not need grains in their diet, so it is best to find grain free food. You will also see vegetables in some pet food, like potatoes which in moderation can enhance your dog’s health. Sweet potatoes, in particular, are excellent for the dogs’ digestion too, since they have plenty of fibre and also beta-carotene which is good for vision and growth.
4. Vitamins and Minerals Matter
Just like we need our daily dosage of these wonderful micronutrients, your fuzzy friends also benefit from foods that contain plenty of vitamins and minerals. Including these in your pet’s diet will ensure that they grow properly, stay healthy, have thick healthy fur and strong teeth and bones. An option is a vitamin and mineral supplement but it’s easier and less stressful if your fur kids daily portion of dinner contains all the important micronutrients they need. Look for ingredients such as vitamin A, B complex vitamins, vitamin E and D, as well as iron, magnesium, calcium and zinc on the label and the job is done!
5. Treat Portion Sizes as a Rough Guide Only
It’s important to remember that the portion sizes on the pet food labels should be used as a guide only. Just like the information on our own food labels, the serving sizes are just estimates and should be used as such. Also, like us, our pets come in all shapes and sizes, they are all different ages and have many different needs. Bearing that in mind, adapt the portions according to your pet’s age, health condition and stage of development.
If you need some advice on this issue, you can visit Vet-n-Pet Direct and have a live chat with a qualified Australian veterinary nurse who will help you with any queries or simply visit your local Veterinary Clinic.
Perhaps you already make your own pet food or maybe you would like to give it a go? This way you can be certain to know exactly what your beloved fur baby is consuming. If you would like to begin with some simple yet nutritious homemade doggy biscuits you can find a healthy and easy recipe at allrecipes.com.au here. Tell us if Fido gave your biscuits a furry high five!
Keeping these 5 things in mind will help to ensure your fuzzy family member looks good, feels good and lives a long, happy and healthy life!
Pet food labelling in Australia should comply with Australian consumer law and the Australian Standard for manufacturing and marketing of pet food(AS5812) provides detailed guidance on labelling of pet foods.The PFIAA represents the prepared pet food industry in Australia and along with state and federal government departments, the Australian VeterinaryAssociation and the RSPCA developed the Australian Standard AS5812 for pet food labelling.The nutritional recommendations of globally recognised bodies including the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) are utilised by major pet food manufacturers as a reference for the nutritional requirements of cats and dogs.
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