22/08/2020
Things Your Vet Wants You to Know About Dog Food🐩
1. Look for the nutritional guarantee.
The food that makes up a dog’s main meals should have a statement on the label from the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) that the product “provides complete and balanced nutrition,” or that the product “is formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles.”
The main ingredient you choose for your pooch -- chicken, lamb, beef, or something else -- doesn’t make much of a difference, says Sherry Sanderson, DVM, an associate professor at the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine. The important thing is that he can eat it with no problems.
2. Don’t rule out byproducts or grains.
Chicken and meat byproducts get a bad rap, thanks to companies that claim “real chicken” or “real meat” ingredients are better. The terms “byproduct” and “byproduct meal” refer to ground-up parts of the animal carcass, including bones and organs. But they can be very nutritious, Sanderson says -- even more nutritious than the muscle meat that we, as humans, enjoy.
Grains and cornmeal are also common ingredients in commercial dog foods -- and that’s OK, says Joseph Wakshlag, DVM, an associate professor at Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine. “Going gluten-free may be a trendy diet for people, but we rarely see dogs with gluten sensitivities.”
If you do think your pal might be allergic to something in her food, don’t make a diagnosis yourself. Ask your veterinarian how to figure out exactly which ingredient to avoid.
3. Premium isn’t always better.
Stores tend to group dog foods into the categories of “popular” and pricier “premium” or “gourmet” diets, but there aren’t any nutritional requirements for these labels.
“I never guilt pet owners into feeling that they have to feed their dog or cat a premium diet,” Sanderson says. “In fact, I feed my own animals a combination of popular and premium diets.”