Keto.Paleo.Intermittent fasting.There are so many nutrition trends for humans to keep straight, it’s not surprising pet owners can have a hard time picking the diet that’s right for their cat or dog.
Like humans, pets have their own, individual nutritional needs, but with every pet food claiming to be a perfect fit for your pet, how do you choose the one that is actually the best for their health?
To help us figure out what to look for when you are making choices in the pet food aisle, PEOPLE reached out to a veterinarian for some expert advice.
Dr. Jennifer Maniet, a staff veterinarian atPetplan insuranceand the owner of two rescue cats, provided the tips below on how to pick a perfect food for your pet, which she says can be “one ofthe most difficult decisions a pet owner has to make.”
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“Food additives are actually in not just pet food, but also human food,” she says. “They are common because they serve multiple purposes. Food additives like preservatives, which can be artificial or natural, serve the purpose of preventing the ingredients in the food from spoilage, deterioration, discoloration and bacterial contamination.”
Look Beyond the Flashy Food Labels“Am I looking at the food label? No, not necessarily. Am I looking at the ingredient list? No, not necessarily,” Dr. Maniet says about how she chooses food for her own pets, adding that she sometimes has a difficult time trying to read into everything on a pet food label.
Since the veterinarian has found that food labels serve more as a marketing tool than a source of information, Dr. Maniet has developed her own set of criteria to apply to her pets’ food.
“It needs to be complete and balanced from a reputable company, and what that means to me is that the company has to have performed their own research that’s published in a peer-reviewed journal,” she says. “The company also needs to have a board-certified veterinary nutritionist on staff full-time and the diets have to have undergone testing through the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO).”
When looking at a bag of pet food, one thing you should always be looking for is a AAFCO adequacy statement, which often appears under the ingredient list, according to the vet.
Think of Your Pet’s Individual NeedsThe foundation of your pet’s diet should be complete and well-balanced, but the exact nutritional needs a pet has can vary greatly from animal to animal. Dr. Maniet points out the your pet’s species, age, living circumstances, weight, health problems and pregnancy status can all affect what your pet needs from their food.
To learn more about feeding your pet the right food for their nutritional needs, the VCA Animal Hospital has nutritional guidelines forcatsanddogs. This is a good place to start, but the best source of information is your pet’s veterinarian.
“You have to be careful with the way we are looking at these diets, because the average consumer is looking at trends that are coming from human foods,” the Dr. Maniet says.
Your Vet Can Make the Choice EasierDr. Maniet knows pet parents want to make well-informed decisions about pet food, and she wants you to know vets are here to help as a partner in the quest to give your pet the healthiest life possible.
“[Veterinarians] know basic nutritional needs, and if your pet has medical concerns that can affect their diet,” she explains.. Vets can also keep track of your pet’s changing needs and advise what food is best as they reach different stages of life.
source: people.com
