How to choose the right food for your pet

The health of our pets, as well as their lives, depend on people. They have no choice; they eat what they are given. Therefore, let’s take into account their needs and reckon with their right to a healthy diet.

We know that for full growth and development a cat needs a balanced diet, including proteins, fats, carbohydrates, minerals, trace elements, vitamins. Of great importance to them is the correct ratio between nutrients and the quality of the starting products.

We need to choose the best one from the huge amount of feed offered. Often, our choice is determined by advertising, but it can also offer not quite high-quality products that contain useless or, even worse, harmful components that can adversely affect the health of your pet. How to be?

It turns out that you just need to be able to read what is written on the PACKAGING WITH THE PRODUCT. Since the manufacturer is only responsible for this information before the law, the manufacturer is obliged to indicate information on the packaging that is true. If during the check the data on the packaging do not correspond to the results of the analysis of the product, the company pays astronomical fines and may even cease to exist.

FOOD QUALITY CAN BE ASSESSED ONLY ON THE INFORMATION PRESENTED ON THE PACKAGING.

The percentage of nutrients.

This information does not say anything about the quality of the feed. Conforms to general requirements for substance content in accordance with established standards. These norms are the same in economy-class feeds and in high-quality professional feeds. The total amount in the feed is indicated, and not what is actually absorbed.

The amount of digested depends on the quality of the ingredients !!!, on the biochemical composition of the product.

For example, we will prepare a homogeneous mixture of old leather shoes, engine oil, sawdust and water and conduct a biochemical analysis of this product …. we get approximately the following: protein 25% (leather from shoes), fat 10% (machine oil), fiber 3% (sawdust). The data are consistent with typical industrial feed. Therefore, it is so important to know the ingredients of the feed.

Ingredients. Information on the composition and biological value of this feed. Good feeds are listed in detail, with a specific indication of the source of protein, fat, carbohydrates, fiber in a descending order by weight. That is, if in the first place we see corn, cereals, etc., or as part of only one component of animal origin, then this indicates that we have cheap and inferior food. Cereal-based nutrition is not suitable for the gastrointestinal tract of a predator. Most of the diseases of the stomach and intestines are associated with feeding cereals based on cereals

If in the composition we see a generalization (for example: cereals, meat and meat products, etc.) – the feed is exactly economy class and, most likely, is made from waste from flour milling and slaughterhouses.

In good feed, meat or flour from meat is always in the first place. And not less than 25%. Do not confuse with the total amount of protein. This figure (if the manufacturer indicates it) is after the name of the meat product. Further, the composition must necessarily contain at least two sources of animal protein (for example, fish, eggs, or liver and eggs).

Another indicator of good food is high digestibility. We find the norms of feeding on the label.

The lower the feeding rate, the higher the quality of the feed. That is, for proper nutrition, the animal eats less feed and thereby reduces the load on the digestive system, and also, your pet needs less feed per month, which is also beneficial, because you will spend less money on its nutrition with high quality feed.

In good feeds, the daily feed rate for a cat weighing 3 kg is approximately 35 g. The smaller, the better the composition of the feed.

It is very important that the components are listed in detail, this gives confidence that the manufacturer guarantees a high percentage of meat content and the constancy of this composition in each package. Eggs and fishmeal are excellent sources of protein, animal fat is a very good source of fat for animals.

If the feed is based on plant ingredients, then most likely it is made on the basis of production waste. If the ingredient is not specified exactly, for example, “cereal” is written, then the manufacturer does not guarantee the constancy of composition by type of feedstock. Different batches may have different products (for example: they put wheat today, tomorrow corn, but in general it can only be waste from flour milling, they also fit the definition of “cereal” in feed).

The consumer can choose a cheaper product, but he must understand the differences between one and the other. Most owners mistakenly believe that feeds differ only in name.

What is offal? According to the laws on fodder products adopted in Europe, in fodder, the definition of offal can indicate not only the liver, heart, rumen, lungs and other useful products, but also the corpses of fur animals, feathers, horns, hooves, skin with wool, blood and even urine, i.e. all slaughterhouse waste. And so many manufacturers use this.

There MUST NOT BE an obscure definition of “offal”. In the composition of high-quality feed such a word should not be.

If an offal is used, it is always indicated which one.

What are antioxidants and preservatives?

These substances prevent rancidity of fats and provide long-term storage of the product. Good foods use antioxidants such as vitamin E (tocopherols), vitamin C (ascorbic acid), herbal extracts and oils. This is indicated on the packaging necessarily and with pride, as it is an additional advertisement to the manufacturer. Be sure to pay attention to this when choosing a product and carefully read everything that is written on the packaging in the smallest font.

Because it is officially allowed to introduce formic, lactic, acetic, propionic, hydrochloric, sulfuric, tartaric, phosphoric acids, partially salt, sodium bisulfite, sodium nitrite as preservatives into animal feed.

If you see EWG additives in the composition, then be aware that unfamiliar letters can hide very harmful preservatives: propyl gallate, entoxequin, BHA (E320) BHT (E321). According to studies, these substances can cause cancer, cause allergic reactions, liver damage, developmental disorders. Even in small doses, these substances, lingering in the liver and adipose tissue, cause diseases and accumulate in the body.

There is no flavoring or coloring in good feed. Indeed, as a flavoring and appetizing stimulant in feeds, the use of all means is allowed: both natural and similar synthetic. Here producers of low-quality feed expanse. In most cases, cats are unlikely to eat grain dummies. But you can fool them by adding flavoring.

And the owners are happy, because the beloved “child” eats on both cheeks. Fragrance, maybe not harmful, but the food is empty ….

And yet, today there are enough producers in the world who, like you and me, really love dogs and cats, both ours and others. And for them, not only money is important, but the health and quality of life of those we tamed. And that is why there is a chance to find quality safe food for those who we love so much …