Understanding Proteins in a Pet's Diet
How to Know You are Feeding Your Dog or Cat a Healthy Diet
Aug 4, 2008
You want only the best for your pet, including proper nutrition. The fact is what you are feeding your pet can slowly be killing him because of toxic ingredients that some manufacturers are putting into pet foods. Don't get caught up with fancy labels and big "science" words that you think sound good without doing your homework first.
What to Avoid in Pet Foods
Under any circumstance you should avoid "by-products" as an ingredient. By-products are advertised as a good source of protein for pets, but usually include turkey feet, intestines, and chicken heads. Not only are these by-products nasty, but they are sometimes parts taken from sick and diseased animals as well. They are used because they are inexpensive, cutting manufacturing costs considerably.
Other protein sources in pet foods will include corn meal, corn gluten, and whole wheat gluten. They sound healthy enough, but are actually very dangerous for pet consumption. These proteins put stress on a pet's kidneys, thus resulting in kidney failure over time. The reason manufacturers still use these ingredients, despite documented reports of kidney failure, is because they are inexpensive, and most pet owners think they sound healthy. These sources of protein are good for humans, but not dogs and cats.
Meats are another major source of a protein in a pet's diet. The problem with some manufacturers is that they are using "bone meal" as their source of meat. Bone meal translates to animals that were either euthanized in veterinarian's office or picked up as road kill, and then ground into pet food. You can almost bet that if a pet was euthanized, it might have had a disease, which can be passed along to your pet.
What to Look for in Good Pet Foods
Your best bet is to choose pet foods that are manufactured at a USDA-certified facility. These are pet food manufacturers that truly care about a pet's health, and only use ingredients that are safe and natural.
Meat should always be the first ingredient listed on a pet food label. This could be chicken meal, turkey meal, lamb meal, or fish meal. If one of these ingredients is not listed first, it is best to avoid that particular brand, as you can almost be sure that your pet's protein requirements are not being met properly.
Dogs and cats need vitamins and minerals. Look for foods that contain fresh fruits and vegetables. Probiotics are also a good source of nutrition for pets. The minerals in probiotics are easy for pets to digest, and provide them with a strong immune system.
You might also consider making your own pet food, as you can control the ingredients and assure freshness. Consult your veterinarian before you begin this process. She will have useful information for you about your pet's proper nutrition requirements. Some cans of pet foods in the grocery store sit on the shelves for up to two years, so making your own food can provide peace of mind.
Don't Skimp on Protein Requirements
Protein is essential for good pet health. Cats are carnivores and need higher amounts of meat in their food. Dogs are considered omnivores. They need meat in their diet, but to a lesser degree than cats. For this reason, it is important not to feed your dog cat food and vice versa. The nutritional requirements are not the same.
The FDA has exhaustive lists of pet food recalls on their website. Take time to check it out and see if the brand you are feeding your pet is currently being recalled. The FDA is doing its best to keep these lists updated for consumers.
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