Make a New Year’s Resolution to Improve Your Pet’s Nutrition
As we think about what our New Year's resolutions will be for the coming year, we start setting exercise goals, counting calories and avoiding artificial ingredients. But what about the health needs of our pet companions? They may have some resolutions to make as well but can't do them without our assistance.
We can help our pets start their year off on the right paw by carefully considering the quality of the food we provide them with. It’s easy to be led astray by adorable package images, catchy slogans and seemingly impressive nutrition claims. Even the most passionate animal lovers often find themselves gravitating toward inferior-quality pet food. Fortunately, now, more than ever, healthy pet food options are readily available. The secret is to learn how to separate fact from hype when it comes to pet food product claims.
For anyone interested in providing a nutritious diet for their pet (and hopefully, that’s all of us), it’s important to look beyond the label and consider corporate motives. Food handling, storage of ingredients and product testing should also be at the highest level to prevent inconsistency and contamination. Moreover, pet food products ideally should have the following quality-control attributes:
- Be carefully cooked and tested to ensure nutrient quality and a complete absence of hormones, antibiotics and pesticides (no artificial ingredients, chemical additives, byproducts, or fillers)
- Include the whole ingredient, where possible (avoid pulps, pomace, flour, gluten, digest etc.)
- Use fatty acid & vitamin rich ingredients which optimize an animal’s skin and coat
- Feature a nature-made, or holistic, balance of the key nutrients: protein, fats, carbohydrates, fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Additional supplementation should not be necessary if the food is labeled as complete and balanced.
One way to verify if the food you purchased for your animal companion has met the most stringent industry standards is to check for the important non-mandatory manufacturing certifications of the company making the food. This may take a phone call to the company because listing these is not a requirement. The following are certifications that will give you peace of mind when purchasing dog or cat food:
- USDA Organic Production certification
- USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service certification
- International Organization for Standardization Compliant (the most respected international organization for quality management and consistency in all industries)
- American Institute of Baking Superior Rating Certification
The APPMA (American Pet Products Manufacturing Association) estimates that in 2006, $9.4 billion will be spent on vet bills alone. Avoiding inferior quality pet foods and carefully screening what you purchase could save thousands of dollars in vet bills, not to mention the joy of keeping your beloved pet happy and healthy.
When choosing a pet food, it is also important to keep in mind that nutritional needs often change as pets go through different life stages. For example, when an older dog develops problems with joints, digestion, weight, and/or activity level, it may be time for a formula specially designed for seniors or one that is reduced-calorie.
Your pet’s breed also may require special diet considerations. For a large breed dog, for example, avoiding excesses and providing well rounded nutrition is essential. The right balance of highly digestible nutrition in the formula means less food is wasted. When more nutrients are available, your pet can maintain a healthy coat, strong bones and joints, and a resilient immune system.
A pet’s diet, the most important health variable controlled by humans directly contributes to your pet’s well-being, happiness and longevity. By selecting the healthiest pet products available, you can make a New Year’s resolution that is also a loving promise to your pet.
Peter Atkins is President of Natura Pet Products.
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