What are the Best Pet Food Options?

Our pets are not just animals that live with us, they are family members and our best friends. We know it’s a good idea to look after our own nutrition so we stay healthy and happy, but what are the best pet food options for our furry friends?

As caring pet parents we’re demanding more from pet food manufacturers

There’s no doubt that more pet parents are looking around for better food options for their pets than ever before. There have been special diets around for a while, and most manufacturers cater for the nutritional needs of puppies, active pets and older pets, but in the past few years the food options for our pets have increased. According to Pet Food Industry.com, Mars Petcare has seen 84% of their growth come from premium products such as limited ingredients or meals giving pets culinary experiences rather than mainstream products. Sales of pet food toppers or enhancers such as gravies, sauces or pieces of meat to add to your pet’s food increased by 25% in 2018 compared to 2017 and Neilsen and GfK see this growth continuing.

What are the best new dog food and cat food options?

There are lots of exciting new foods and treats available for dogs at chewy.com.

Here are some of the best options, in our opinion. Just follow the links to take a look and buy!

Grain free Food for Dogs and cats

Gluten free food is widely available for humans these days, and you can get grain free food for your dog and cat too. Historically cats and dogs didn’t eat grain but had a protein rich diet. Grain free diets better mimic the diet our pets are genetically suited to eat. Grains are added to mass produced pet food to bulk it out and keep the cost down but it’s not necessarily the best option for your pet’s health.

Dogs and cats don’t have the enzymes necessary to break down grains effectively. The grains ferment in their gut, which can lead to inflammation and food allergies.  Talk to your vet before making any diet changes though!

‘Clean’, GMO free and environmentally friendly dog and cat food

‘Clean’ pet food means food with only a few ingredients, fewer preservatives and additives and no GM produced products. These foods are designed to help our pets stay healthy and reduce the impact on the environment. Chewy.com stock GMO free (grain free) Cat food and dog food options from Caru with the meat from grass fed animals.

Meal enhancers or toppers for dogs and cats

Adding meal enhancers such as sauces, gravies or pieces of meat to your pet’s meal will add taste and nutrition. Chewy.com stock food toppings for cats and to add flavor and protein rich extras.

Is feeding raw food a good idea?

There is a trend for manufacturers to offer raw food options for dogs and cats. It’s important to remember that we avoid catching nasty bugs like E.Coli, Salmonella and Listeria by cooking our food. We don’t pick up tape worm eggs from pork because we cook it before we eat it.

Swedish scientists looked at the risks of feeding raw food to pets as its hugely popular in many European countries. They found that all 60 samples of manufacturer supplied raw pet food that they tested contained Enterobacteriaceae bacteria.  Some samples contained Salmonella and Campylobacter. This means that feeding a raw food diet could put your pet at risk of catching a nasty infection.

Check the Manufacturer’s Recall History

Before choosing the right pet food for your fur baby, it’s important to do your FULL due diligence. Researching to see what ingredients are in the pet food is a great first step, but you’ll also want to look into the company that makes the pet food. 

How long have they been in business?

More and more new companies are popping up with pet foods. While many are offering unique, quality products, not all are on the up and up. Check out just how long they have been in business. You want a company that has a bit of a proven track record of quality.

What’s their story?

Every business website will have an about section, be sure to check them out. Why was the company started? Do you get the sense that the owners just want a piece of the billion-dollar pet food industry? Or do the owners have their own pets and they formulated their food to specifically address their own nutritional concerns? The company story will tell you a lot about whether you should put your trust and hard-earned money into their products.

What is their recall history?

Even the most popular brands that have been around for decades will usually have one or two food recalls in their past. This happens when something has been found to be potentially dangerous, or even deadly, about a batch of food. For instance, a routine test may have turned up traces of salmonella. In this case, all of a particular batch of food would be recalled and bags and boxes of that food would be pulled from store shelves.

Again, there are very few companies that won’t have at least one food recall in their history. But you certainly don’t want to go with a company that has numerous recalls. And that’s another reason to not go with a brand new company, because they have absolutely no track record yet. 

The following are some links you can use to see what foods have recently been recalled. Some of these websites will let you sign up for real-time alerts:

• Pet food recalls
• FDA recalls and withdrawals
• FDA pet food
• Pet food safety
• VIN Recall Center

Whatever you decide, please remember to talk to your vet before making any change to your pet’s diet. If you do change their diet, make the transition from one type of food to another gradually.

Keep Your Pet Healthy with a Pet Health Insurance Plan

Proper nutrition is a key component to keeping our fur babies healthy and happy. So is a pet health insurance plan. These plans ensure you can afford to give your dog or cat the help they need should an unexpected emergency arise. Take two minutes today to get a free, customized quote from some of the top providers n the country.

The information contained on this blog is intended for informational and educational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional veterinary care. Always consult with your veterinarian before making any changes to your pet's health care or treatment plan.

The authors of this blog are not veterinarians and do not claim to be experts in pet health. The information provided here is based on our own experiences and research, as well as information from reputable sources. However, we cannot guarantee the accuracy or completeness of this information.

We encourage you to do your own research and consult with your veterinarian before making any decisions about your pet's health.