How to Buy Pet Food

Fluffy is a beloved member of your family. As his caretaker, you have the job of feeding him quality food that promotes good health and helps prevent disease due to nutritional deficiencies. But not all pet foods are equal; read the small print before you buy. In the United States, the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) regulates the wording used on pet food labels.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

1. Read the descriptive name of the food and know what it means. Chicken cat food means the food in the can must be at least 95 percent chicken. Chicken dinner/feast/mix/formula means that 25 percent of the ingredients are chicken. Cat food with chicken means that 3 percent of the ingredients are chicken. With chicken flavor means only that your pet may detect the flavor of chicken; no chicken need be in the food at all.
2. Read the actual ingredients on the can or package. Manufacturers must list ingredients by weight, with the first ingredient being the predominant one.
3. Choose food that has named meats (chicken, beef, lamb, salmon) instead of the generic term meat. Avoid foods that have only meat byproducts (organs, bones, tendons and other parts left over from slaughterhouses).
4. Reject foods that are made up solely of "byproduct meal" or meat- and bonemeal. Meal is what's left after a product is cooked at extremely high temperatures, a procedure called rendering. Rendered products are cheap and highly processed.
5. Look for a label that says "animal feeding tests using AAFCO procedures" have been conducted on the food, not merely tests for the presence of nutrients.
6. Read the nutritional analysis of protein, fat, fiber and other items with the understanding that these recommended percentages represent minimum amounts.
7. Select food that fits the nutritional needs of your pet. There are foods specially formulated for puppies, kittens, pregnant, lactating, mature or diabetic pets, or cats with hair balls.
8. Check the expiration date. An impending expiration date suggests that the food has been sitting on the shelf for a long time.
9. Make changes to a pet's food gradually by mixing a bit of the new food in with the old over the course of three to five days.
10. Observe your pet after you introduce new foods. A change in coat, scratching, appetite, weight, mood, stools or other areas could suggest a problem. Consult your veterinarian for dietary recommendations.

What to Look For:

• Descriptive terms
• Ingredients by weight
• Named meats
• AAFCO feeding tests
• Special nutritional formulas
• Expiration date

Tips & Warnings

• Fido may love that cheap dry dog food, but that doesn't mean it's good for him. Some pet food manufacturers spray bland kibble with tasty fats. Making this your pet's staple is the equivalent of feeding hamburgers and fries daily to a child who loves fast food. Make sure the food provides the appropriate nutritional value.
• Refrigerate unused portions of canned food. Keep dry food in a sealed container to prolong freshness.
• A higher price may indicate higher-quality ingredients, but don't rely on price alone. Read the label.
• Europe and Canada also have organizations that monitor pet food standards.
• Dessert is no treat for a pet: Little more than 2 oz. (60 g) of unsweetened chocolate can be a lethal dose for a 25-lb. (12.5 kg) dog.
• Dogs and cats have different nutritional needs. Never feed a cat solely dog food, and vice versa, as this could lead to malnutrition and disease.