Dog Food and Cat Food -and what your pets shouldn't eat

 

Feeding your Cats and Dogs

Dog Food and Cat Food Labels

Read your pet food labels and try and find the ones that have natural ingredients, with no artificial flavors, preservatives and/or colors . 

The first ingredients, which contain the largest percentage, should be meat.  Some contain vitamins and minerals too.  The first 10 ingredients are equivalent to 80% of the product.

·        Real Meat, like chicken, fish, or lamb is a source of quality, highly digestible proteins.  Proteins are needed for growth, maintenance, reproduction, repair and their energy.

·        Whole grains are an important source of complex carbohydrates that maintain your dog or cat’s energy level, and fiber not found in most processed grains.  Examples of these whole grains are brown rice, barley, and oats.

·        Vegetables and fruit provide antioxidants and enzymes, and natural vitamins and minerals.  These promote health and wellness.

Things to watch out for:

·        Poultry or chicken by product meal

·        Artificial colors and chemical preservatives like BHA, GHT, ethoxyquin, and propylene glycol.  They have no nutritional value and have been associated with possible toxic side effects.

Corn, wheat, and soy have all been identified as possible allergens for some dogs and cats and have very little nutritional value.

Careful:  Your dog should not eat avocado, onion, alcohol, coffee/tea, grapes, raisons, milk, dairy, chocolate, fat trimmings, or raw eggs.

Check to see if where your pet food was made.

Note, you can store left over canned food in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.