Pet Food - how do I choose?
- rechinemily
- Jul 3, 2023
- 3 min read
Just like us, our pets need sustenance to keep them healthy hopefully live a long life. Nowadays there are so many different brands to choose from - how do you pick what is best for your pet?
Firstly, always trust the advice of your veterinarian. The schooling they have is extensive and they understand what ingredients and nutrients are important and necessary for your pet. They can also advise what should be avoided. As harsh of a truth as it is, Google, your friends, and other random online sources are unreliable. Veterinarians are familiar with the science and data surrounding pet nutrition and they are the only ones who are obligated to inform you on proper diet and nutrition.
However when you walk down the isles of Pet Smart or any other pet store, there are so many, how would you know which is best? There are certain things to look for and things to avoid.
Throughout school and my career working at a Veterinarian's office, I learned a lot about pet nutrition. Please note, I am not saying the following brands are the only great food brands - I am sure there are plenty more!! These are the handful that I chose to write about and also some foods/ingredients to be wary of. Always check with your veterinarian before starting your pet on a new diet.
Five Stars: Hills Science Diet
This brand is an excellent choice for pets, both cats and dogs. The company employs over 200 licensed veterinarians, nutritionists, and food scientists for research. They also list what their ingredients are and where they are sourced from. You can find that information here:
My experience with Hills: I have 2 indoor cats who get Hills Science Diet Adult-Indoor wet and dry cat food. This specific diet has less carbohydrates which is great for the indoor cat who may not exert as many calories as those who have outdoor cats. Another benefit of wet food, is not only the lower carbohydrate count, but it contains more moisture which is good for the cats who may not drink a lot of water, thus helpful for renal function over their lifespan. They each get 1/2 can twice a day, and if I run out of the wet or go out of town overnight, I give them 1/4 cup of the dry twice a day.
Hills also has diets that can be prescribed by a veterinarian if your pet has an illness or predisposed condition such as urinary issues, kidney issues, obesity, etc. It is nice to know that they have so many nutritionists and food scientists on staff to optimize pets' health. I have always been pleased with Hills, and have seen a lot of positive cases where ill or malnourished pets that switch to Hills regain their health.
4-5 Stars: Royal Canin, Purina
These brands are similar to the above in the fact that they invest in research, have veterinarians on staff, and source their ingredients - Purina's website even allows for you to click on each ingredient and see where it comes from. For more info on these brands, check out their websites and look for the "nutritional philosophy" section to learn more.
Not so great foods, without brand bashing...
Grain Free advertised food
Studies over the past 10 years have shown that grain-free diets have some pretty serious complications and nutritional deficiencies if fed continuously, particularly in larger breed dogs. If you would like more information regarding "grain free" diets and dogs, here are some links below:
Boutique brands:
These companies like to spend their money on marketing, expensive commercials, and may even partake in "bashing" other brands of food. Be wary of boutique brands - they have learned how to specifically target individuals, but they do not spend the time or money on the nutrition research your pet truly needs.
Here is a great article from Tufts School of Veterinary Medicine regarding pet food what questions you should be asking about your pets food.
Again, always consult your veterinarian before changing your pet's food. I hope you found this post interesting and informative!
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