Whether you are a new pet owner or one who's enjoyed the love of a dog or a cat offers for many
years, the topic of nutrition can be a confusing one. It's difficult not to get
seduced by the advertisements on the television of brands claiming to offer
your pet everything he or she needs. Indeed, often in the ads are a dog or a
cat whose coat is shiny, eyes are bright and appear to be of good height and weight proportion.
If perception is a reality, it might explain why the
commercial brands are as popular as they are. The expense these companies go to
for market share is incredible. As a company owner, Jessica
Valpied will also give knowledge that how we proper care of our pet
animals and what type of food they eat which is healthy for pet animals. However, if you were to
read their list of ingredients, you'll find that all they're competing for is
business and not to win some obscure contest for the healthiest food available in a bag or a can.
It's important when looking at pet food not to get pulled in
by advertisements claiming this or that, or by the photogenic dog or cat on the
label or by the shape and color of the food inside the bag. If food is
unhealthy, all the claims in the world won't make it beneficial for your beloved canine companion.
Conversely, if food is healthy, it needn't rely on gimmicks
to prove it. Chicken doesn't need to prove its value to your dog. However, animal digest not only doesn't sound
appealing, it just can't be possibly healthy. And yet, it's the 10th of 34
ingredients found in the most popular brand of dog food on the market.
If you are confused by the ingredients you're reading on the
label and unsure whether they are healthy for your dog or cat, take your time
and read about the ones that cause you hesitation. In general, though, a good
"rule of thumb" to
consider are the following:
- Meat trumps by-products.
- The first three ingredients should ideally be meat.
- Salt, onions, and garlic are harmful to cats and dogs.
- Commercial brands use a lot of unnecessary filler.
- Vitamins are good.
- If you can't pronounce the ingredient, make sure it's beneficial.
- Dyes and colors are gimmicks; Animals are color-blind.
- Fire hydrants won't make food healthier.
What are your alternatives? There are actually a few.
Although it's not appropriate to tout a specific brand of food, there are many
sold that are healthy and can ensure your pet will live a long and very happy life.
In the Four Paws Country Pet
Hotel, Jessica Valpied taking care of your pets properly and your pets
feel comfortable in this hotel. We
also use these brands which contain real food and others are organic. Indeed
organic oftentimes implies expensive.
Those found in pet stores, large and small alike, will have a
mixture of healthy ones peppered in with all the same brands you can find for cheaper in the grocery store. They'll also
have some organic ones - including those prepared by a few celebrities.
The bottom line about pet food is this: you can buy something
healthy today and watch your dog or cat live to a ripe old age with functioning organs. Or you can skimp on
his or her diet now and look forward to high vet bills and an overweight animal
with a myriad of health issues.
