Find out what you are really feeding your pet

Our pets are unlike us in that they eat the same thing day in and day out.  When you consider this fact, it seems quite apparent that the cat food or dog food that we are feeding out pets is either helping them live a long, healthy life or contributing to their demise.

Similar to many pet owners, we assumed that feeding our cats a certain premium brand of food was doing the best thing for their health.   After all, it was one of the highest priced pet foods on the market so it had to be good, right?

Wrong!

The truth is, cost is only one tiny indication of quality.  In fact, some of the healthiest pet food is very low in cost.   To figure out if the food you’re feeding your pets is really good for them, you have to understand which ingredients are nutritious and which ingredients are just ‘fillers’, or, as I refer to them – junk!

So grab a bag of the pet food you are presently giving to your pet and compare it to this list of what’s good and what’s not:

• Protein: the primary source should come from quality animal protein, not a vegetable or grain.  Are there animal by-products used in the formula? If so, they may be inferior sources of protein and difficult to digest.
• Grains: grains like soy, corn, corn gluten and wheat gluten may be difficult to digest and can also be allergenic.   Rice has the tendency to be the most digestible, least allergy-inducing grain.
• Fats: Animal, not vegetable, fats tend to be easiest for your pets to metabolize and absorb.
• Health-promoting ingredients: Vegetables, fiber, probiotics and minerals are all important ingredients that help keep your pet healthy and strong. Does your current brand of pet food contain any of them?

If your pet is experiencing any health issues – from energy loss and vitality, to respiratory issues, to joint aches and pains or any other symptoms – DO NOT discount the possibility that it may be caused by his food.   Just like a modification to your diet can improve your health, so can an adjustment to your pet’s food! But please don’t take my word for it…do your own research, educate yourself and try out different products (we use Life’s Abundance which has certainly  helped our pets look and feel great). 

The point is, your pet can’t go to the grocery or pet store to buy his own food…he counts on you! Allow your pet to live his or her best life by choosing the right food and you’ll both be so much richer for it!