Tips for Finding the Right Food for your Pet

February—a month when we focus on matters of the heart.  Not only do we celebrate Valentine’s Day this month, but February is also designated by the American Heart Association to bring awareness to heart health.  That goes for our four-legged friends, too. 

Two things necessary for people and pets for heart health are exercise and a healthy diet.   

The hunt for Dog Food 
When it comes to dogs, choosing a healthy dog food can be confusing when you go into a pet store and see the hoard of pet foods and brands available today.  Then, to complicate matters, there are differing opinions on what is best.

Some say grain free is the way to go, others say include grain.  Once dry food was suggested as better than canned, but now processed kibble, fed exclusively, is in question. Breeders say raw is the way to feed and nutritionists say cook human-grade food and vegetables. And then there is the internet that will sell you the priciest pet food, loaded with promises of healthy coat, long-life and regular, to your door, delivery. 

Oh, my!  So how do you decide what to feed?  
There are some basics to consider when choosing a dog food.

• Is it nutritious?
• Will your dog eat it?
• How does it fit into your lifestyle? 

Some people don’t have the luxury of cooking fresh food for their dog every day.  If feeding raw, you must be careful and know what you are doing.  You can’t feed spoiled food to a dog any more so than to a human.

Although the human quality premium pet foods may be an excellent choice, not everyone can afford them, (animals, like humans, need regular medical care to keep them healthy, as well as a nutritious diet). And always remember that marketing is directed at the pet owner, not the pet.

Also, when selecting a food, consider that your dog goes through different stages in his or her lifetime including puppy, senior and pregnancy that require different nutritional needs. 

Assuming you have a healthy dog that does not require a special diet for medical reasons, here are some tips you might consider when choosing a pet food.
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1. Talk to your vet for suggestions. In fact, always talk to your vet for advice regarding your pet (we can't stress this enough).
 
2. Consult an informed person at your pet store.  But remember, they got their information from the vendor selling the product, and premium and price are not always a good gauge of quality. 

3. When shopping for dog food, check out the ingredients:

• Look for a food that is not filled with “fillers.” Grain-free food often has less fillers.         
• Make sure the first ingredient listed is meat, not grain, or meat by products. 
• Check for fat content.  High fat dog food is equivalent to a drive-thru diet for you.
• Look for “Made in America” and “AAFCO” (Association of American Feed Control Officials). 
• Look at “sell by” date on package to make sure the food is fresh.
• Look for “toppers” that may make the food more appealing. Like humans, dogs like variety. 

           
4. When you have selected a food, store it in a proper container at home and keep bowls clean.

5. Monitor how your dog responds to the food. If your dog is gaining too much weight or losing weight, having stomach issues or not eating, talk to your vet and go back to square one if necessary. ​

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The search for  Cat Food

When it comes to cats, many of the same common-sense rules apply when selecting a cat food as selecting a dog food. 

“The main thing to remember about cats is that they are obligate carnivores—meat eaters, plain and simple. They must have protein from meat for a strong heart, good vision and a healthy reproductive system. Cooked beef, chicken, turkey, and small amounts of lean deli meats are a great way to give them that. Raw meat is supposed to be good for them, but one has to be careful when feeding raw for the same reasons as for dogs,” shares Dallas cat advocate, Sherrie Narusis.  
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Here are some tips you might consider when choosing a food for your feline:

1. As always, the first step is to consult with your vet for suggestions on what to feed your cat.  Your vet will know the best food for your cat's age, size, as well as specific nutritional requirements for any medical conditions they might have. 

2. Do you research and keep an eye on ingredients.  Also, like dogs, cats go through various stages in their lifetime that require different nutritional needs. Be sure they're getting the right type of food for their age. 

Commercial Cat Food 

• Commercial cat foods are formulated as dry, semimoist, and canned. These products differ in water content, protein level, caloric density, palatability and digestibility.
• Again, read the label! Look for a food that is not filled with “fillers” like meat by-products and corn, but one that lists the first ingredient as meat.  
• Cats require high amounts of protein, moderate amounts of fat, and a minimal amount of carbohydrates. They also require vitamins, minerals, fatty acids, and amino acids, (usually found in their food.) Do not give your cat supplements without consulting your vet.

Home-made Cat Food 

• Like with dogs, home-made cat food is a difficult and time-consuming process, and the recipe may not contain the right quantities and proportions of nutrients for your cat. 
• It is generally recommended that cat owners purchase nutritionally balanced commercial foods, unless a veterinarian recommends a home-formulated recipe for medical purposes.
• Basic minimum nutritional requirements for cats have been established by the Feline Nutrition Expert (FNE) a subcommittee of the AAFCO, and manufacturers use these standards in producing cat foods.
• Consult your vet if you're planning to feed your cat home-made food.  ​

3. Once you've decided on cat food that works, store their food properly, keep their bowls of food and water clean and in a low traffic area where they feel comfortable. 

4. As always, look for signs from your four-legged family member. We know they communicate with us! 

Canine or Feline, your pet deserves to thrive and enjoy his or her meals. 

​Bon appetit! ​
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Shelia Huffman, Contributor
Shelia recently moved to the Greenwood community of Midland from Dallas where she was a staff writer for White Rock Lake Weekly and a columnist for Bubblelife Media.  A retired travel agent and event planner, she has  been an animal activist her entire life.  Shelia  has a daughter and son-in-law in Midland, a grandson in Dallas and a granddaughter at Texas Tech. She lists cooking and writing about food, and,  of course, playing with her Terrier Mix rescue, Penelope, as some of her favorite things.