ASSISTED LIVING  DISEASE   NUTRITION   REPRODUCTION  STUDIES  TOXINS  TRAINING

Pet food labels must only list ingredients and minimum/maximum ranges of broad nutrient categories. No regulatory agency censors unsubstantiated claims or implied benefits, or requires the manufacturer to list the condition of the ingredients (fresh and adequately stored, or condemned for human use?), or requires the product be fed to animals long enough for malnutrition to be detected. To learn more, see what's really in pet food.

When selecting food for a pet without special needs, these are the questions you should ask:

How digestible is this product? What is the energy/nutrient/fiber content per cup/can of product? If there are claims of special ingredients, how much per cup/can of product? Are the nutrients bioavailable?

Are components monitored for antibiotic, heavy metal, pesticide, herbicide, biotoxin, or other residues? What levels are acceptable?

What are the protein sources (i.e. "lamb and rice" chow is seldom only lamb and rice)? How much of the protein is digestible (e.g. "crude protein" includes hair and feathers)?

How is the product preserved? What kind of storage is required to maintain its quality and safety? Can the shipper/vendor/pet owner provide the proper storage?

Some pet owners assure the freshness of pet food by making it at home. Whether you purchase formulated pet food or provide home cooking, consider having your formula tested:

Links to testing laboratories:
Eurofin US

PRESCRIPTION DIETS

Low protein diets play a role in the treatment of several conditions, such as kidney disease, advanced liver disease, and some forms of dominance aggression. [If your pet
has been prescribed a low protein diet], but doesn’t like any of the commercial preparations, you might consider trying one of these home-cooked recipes.