How to Shop for Organic Pet Food

An organic food diet can keep your pet healthier and add years to its lifespan. Your local pet stores or organic supermarkest are your best sources for organic pet products, but you should ezamine the label to make sure you get what you're paying extra for.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Veterinarian

1. Look for the USDA stamp that confirms that the product is organic. Note, however, that not all products that claim to be organic have this approval.
2. Read the ingredients list carefully. There shouldn't be any growth hormones, antibiotics or artificial preservatives listed. Only buy pet food products that list natural ingredients, whole meats and grains and brown rice. Avoid food with corn or other fillers, which are difficult for pets to digest.
3. Shop for your organic pet food online. You'll find a wide range of brands available at pet-centric websites (see Resources below). You will also be able to read reviews of the products, which can be helpful when ordering a brand for the first time.
4. Buy smaller. Organic pet food is preserved with vitamins B and E, which have a much shorter shelf life than artificial preservatives. Keep this in mind when you are stocking up on organic pet food, so you don't purchase too much in one shopping trip.
5. Know the difference between "natural" and "organic" when you shop for pet food. While "natural" pet foods mean that the ingredients are unaltered, "organic" pet foods use ingredients from suppliers who have adhered to specific rules regarding the actual farming process.