Pet Food Shopping: How Do You Decide Which Is Best?

THE BREGMAN VETERINARY GROUP

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It is easy to become overwhelmed when shopping for pet food.  There are so many different brands and food options available.  How do you know which one will be best for your pet?  

Here are some tips on what you should look for when deciding on a healthy diet for your pet:

• AAFCO Certification - The Association of American Feed Control Officials certifies foods that meet their strict standards.

• Review Ingredients - Ingredients are listed in order of abundance.  Keep your pet's nutritional needs in mind. For example, cat owners should avoid foods high in carbohydrates.

• Ignore Vague Food Labels - Many products offer vague claims like gourmet, premium, super or ultra premium, or natural.  However, there is no nutritional standard that products have to meet to make this claim.  Foods marked with these labels are not necessarily better than those without them.

• Animal By-Products - Although animal by-products are not bad or unhealthy for your pet, many owners choose to avoid products with this ingredient.  By-product meal is created from various sources.  Avoiding this ingredient can be done at your discretion.

You can learn more about how to choose the best food for your pet on the ASPCA website.  If you still aren't sure what diet is best for your cat or dog, contact our office!  We are happy to help pet owners find the right foods for their pet.