The Economics Of Pet Food

Many people are familiar with the old saying that “you get what you pay for.”  This couldn’t be truer when it comes to choosing a pet food. Understandably, in tough economic situations many pet owners will choose a food because of a lower price. However, it is important to understand that these pet foods have a lower cost because they use lower quality ingredients. Some of these ingredients are as follows:

Meat by products: These by products are things such as organs and other parts that are undesirable or deemed unsuitable for human consumption. Often this may include bones, blood, intestines, lungs, ligaments, heads, feet, and feathers. This may also include meat from the 4 D’s, dead, diseased, dying or disabled. There is also what some people consider the 5^th D which is drugged.

Grains: Ingredients such as corn, corn gluten, wheat and wheat gluten offer little nutritional value and are extremely difficult for our pets to digest.

Meat and Bone Meal: This is a generic term for an inexpensive source of animal proteins. The meat source can be from any meat source or several meat sources usually a by-product of our own meat manufacturing processes and determined unsuitable for human consumption. It is notable that a protein meal that consists largely of bone meal may prove difficult for our pets to digest and provides inadequate nutrition.

Animal Fat: Another generic term for a fat source of questionable origin. While it certainly may contain rendered animal fat from various sources it can also include restaurant grease as well as other rancid oils deemed unsuitable for human consumption. Always look for a named fat source such as “chicken fat” or ‘beef fat” that is naturally preserved with vitamin E or tocopherols.

Food Processing By-Products: Sometimes called “food fragments” these are the by-products of another food manufacturing process. Some examples may be wheat bran, or a by-product of the alcohol industry known as brewer’s rice.

Sweeteners: Ingredients such as corn syrup, cane molasses and sugar are often added to lower quality pet foods to make them more palatable to our pets. It should go without saying that these types of sweeteners can create many health issues including diabetes.

Beef Tallow: Sometimes called beef fat,  is obtained from the tissue of cattle in the rendering process. Our dogs and cats like the taste of this fat so it is often used to make the food more appealing in taste to our pets. Beef tallow is very low in linoleic acid and is therefore a cheaper alternative to a high quality fat such as chicken fat or a good quality vegetable oil.

Chemical Preservatives: These include BHA (butylated hydroxyanisole), BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene), propyl gallate, propylene glycol (used as a less-toxic version of antifreeze), and ethoxyquin. BHT, BHA, and Ethoxyquin have all demonstrated carcinogenic properties and any studies on the long-term build up of these chemicals in our pets are non-existent.  However, all three of these last three chemicals listed have been banned in Europe due the harmful effects on humans and pets.

Understanding that the ingredients listed above offer very little if any nutritional value to our pets at best and that some may be potentially harmful to our pets, we can now make a more educated comparison between pet foods. In this example we will choose dog foods, two less expensive brands and two “premium” brands.  Please keep in mind that this comparison is to help you, the reader, understand how to make a reasonable comparison between pet foods and make a more educated decision, it is by no means absolutely conclusive on which is the best of all pet foods. Also it is important to point out that while we are using dog food in this example all the information presented here applies to other pet foods as well.

Ol’ Roy Dog Food Ingredients

Ground yellow corn, soybean meal, ground whole wheat, corn syrup, poultry fat, Meat and bone meal (Animal Fat Preserved with BHA and Citric Acid), Chicken by-product Meal, Rice, Animal Digest, Salt, Calcium Carbonate, Potassium Chloride, Choline Chloride, Ferrous Sulfate, Zinc Oxide, Vitamin D and E Supplement, Niacin, Copper Sulafate, Manganous Oxide, Vitamin A Supplement, Calcium Pantothenate, Biotin, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Thiamine Mononitrate, Meadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex Source of Vitamin K, Calcium Iodate, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Riboflavin Supplement, Cobalt Carbonate, Folic Acid, Sodium Selenite, Folic Acid

34 lb bag $32.82 or 96.5 cents per lb

Blue Buffalo Lamb and Rice

Deboned Lamb, Lamb Meal, Whole Ground Barley, Whole Ground Brown Rice, Oatmeal, Rye, Whole Potatoes, Fish Meal, Tomato Pomace (natural source of Lycopene), Sunflower Oil (natural source of Omega 6 Fatty Acids), Natural Flavor, Whole Carrots, Whole Sweet Potatoes, Blueberries, Cranberries, Flaxseed, Barley Grass, Dried Parsley, Alfalfa Meal, Kelp Meal, Taurine, L-Carnitine, L-Lysine, Glucosamine Hydrochloride, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Green Tea Extract, Turmeric, Garlic, Herring Oil (natural source of Omega 3 Fatty Acids), Fructooligosaccharides, Monooligosaccharides, Dried Chicory Root, Black Malted Barley, Oil of Rosemary, Vitamin A Supplement, Vitamin C, Vitamin E Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Beta Carotene, Calcium Ascorbate (source of Vitamin C), Vitamin B12 Supplement, Niacin (Vitamin B3), Calcium Pantothenate (Vitamin B5), Riboflavin (Vitamin B2), Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6), Thiamine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B1), Folic Acid, Biotin, Choline Chloride, Calcium Phosphate

30 lb bag $48.99 or $1.64 per lb

Keeping in mind that ingredients on pet food labels are listed by weight, look closely at the first four ingredients in these two dog foods. Where as Ol Roy lists three grains and a sweetener, Blue Buffalo lists a whole named meat followed by a named meat meal, followed by two whole grains. What this tells us is that the Ol’ Roy brand is deriving the majority of its protein from grain sources, which is difficult for our pets to assimilate whereas the Blue Buffalo gains its protein from animal sources, which suits our carnivorous companions much better. The grains in the Blue Buffalo are more easily digested by our pets and along with the potatoes, provide carbohydrates.  Whereas the Ol’ Roy brand lists generic animal fat preserved with BHA and citric acid the Blue Buffalo uses named oil sources such as Sunflower Oil and Herring Oil offering essential Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids along with flaxseed and is naturally preserved. Both foods offer vitamin supplementation, however the Blue Buffalo is more complete and offers taurine as well.

Purina Dog Chow Ingredients

Whole grain corn, poultry by-product meal, corn gluten meal, animal fat preserved with mixed-tocopherols (form of Vitamin E), meat and bone meal, brewers rice, soybean meal, whole grain wheat, egg and chicken flavor, animal digest, salt, calcium carbonate, potassium chloride, calcium phosphate, L-Lysine monohydrochloride, choline chloride, zinc sulfate, added color (Yellow 6, Yellow 5, Red 40, Blue 2), DL-Methionine, Vitamin E supplement, zinc proteinate, ferrous sulfate, manganese sulfate, manganese proteinate, niacin, Vitamin A supplement, brewers dried yeast, copper sulfate, calcium pantothenate, copper proteinate, garlic oil, pyridoxine hydrochloride, Vitamin B-12 supplement, thiamine mononitrate, Vitamin D-3 supplement, riboflavin supplement, calcium iodate, menadione sodium bisulfite complex (source of Vitamin K activity), folic acid, biotin, sodium selenite

20 lbs $12.99 or .65 per lb

Orijen Adult Dog Food Ingredients

Fresh boneless chicken, chicken meal, fresh boneless salmon, turkey meal, herring meal, russet potato, peas, sweet potato, fresh boneless turkey, fresh whole eggs, fresh chicken liver, fresh boneless lake whitefish, fresh boneless walleye, sun-cured alfalfa, pea fiber, chicken fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols), organic kelp, pumpkin, chicory root, carrots, spinach, turnip greens, apples, cranberries, blueberries, licorice root, angelica root, fenugreek, marigold flowers, sweet fennel, peppermint leaf, chamomile, dandelion, summer savory, rosemary, vitamin A, vitamin D3, vitamin E, niacin, thiamine mononitrate, riboflavin, d-calcium pantothenate, pyridoxine, folic acid, biotin, vitamin B12, zinc proteinate, iron proteinate, manganese proteinate, copper proteinate, selenium yeast, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Enterococcus faecium.

29.7 lbs $67.49 or $2.27 per lb

Again, if we note the first ingredients listed we see that the Purina Dog Chow’s primary protein source is a grain followed by a generic poultry by-product meal. The generic “animal fat” is naturally preserved with mixed tocopherols but that is of little value considering the fact that the following ingredient is of an unknown origin followed by brewers rice, a by-product of the alcohol industry.  The Purina Dog Chow also uses artificial coloring, which makes the food more visually appealing to the pet owner but means little to the pet. The Orijen starts with a named whole meat followed by a named meat meal then another whole meat and two named meat meals. It contains a named fat source, which is naturally preserved. It is also notable that the Orijen uses pre-biotics and pro-biotics which are beneficial in the digestion process.

There are two important points to keep in mind when looking at these examples. First, while the “premium” foods cost two to three times more they are made with higher-grade ingredients. This means that your pet can more readily assimilate and utilize the nutrients in these foods. This in turn means that your pet can acquire their nutritional requirements with smaller portions. Because you are able to feed smaller portions you will find you get more meals out of the “premium” food than you would out of the same size bag of the lower quality food. So while the “premium” food may be higher in cost on a per pound basis, most people find that the cost on a per portion basis is about the same for both foods. The second point to consider is that with the “premium” foods you are feeding a healthier diet without chemicals, artificial coloring, or artificial preservatives helping to avoid health issues associated with these types of ingredients. Again, the higher quality ingredients in the “premium” foods offer your pet more of what they need to maintain optimal health thereby reducing the chances of major or chronic disease and lowering the cost of veterinary care.

In the long run, every moment of your pet’s life will be greatly enhanced with the choices you as a pet owner make such as providing them with the best available nutrition found in higher quality food. Be sure to always read the food labels carefully and take into consideration any health issues your pet may have such as food allergies, diabetes and so on. Making informed decisions can lead to many happy, healthy years with your best friend. As always if you have concerns or questions consult with your veterinarian.

Restricted Protein Diets For Pets With Food Allergies

When fed the same food for long periods of times many dogs and cats will develop signs of intolerance to the foods protein source.  Some of these signs may include itchy skin and paws, chronic digestive issues such as gas, loose stools or frequent vomiting.  Of course prevention is the best medicine and one way to avoid the development of protein intolerance is by rotating between three or four different foods with different protein sources. For example, feed a food with beef as the protein source and then switch to chicken, then to fish.  This will provide a wide variety of amino acids as well as a more nutritionally complete diet.

If your veterinarian has diagnosed a food allergy they will most likely place your pet on a diet with a unique protein and carbohydrate. These are sometime referred to as “novel” proteins or carbohydrates. A unique protein is one that your pet has never been exposed to. Originally Lamb and rice diets were the common choice but over time this formula gained popularity to such a degree that many of the pet food manufacturers began introducing it into their product lines. The result is that most dogs and cats have been fed lamb as a protein source at some point.

The pet food companies understand a need for and see a growing market for these unique formulations in pet foods and are producing more and more “allergy formula” types of foods with an incredibly wide variety of different and even exotic sources of protein. Some of these protein sources include duck, rabbit, herring, venison and even kangaroo. This is helpful when a pet owner is required to find a unique protein source for their pet. A word of caution though, do not feed your pet every different type of protein offered as this will limit your options should you find yourself in need of placing your pet on a restricted protein type of diet.

If as a pet owner, you find the need to search out a new protein source for your pet be certain to read labels very carefully. Many pet foods are labeled in such a way as to suggest a unique protein such as venison but may also contain other protein sources as well such as eggs or chicken.  It is best to look for foods formulated especially for pets with sensitivities. Some good examples of this would be California Natural, Wellness Simple Foods, Natural Balance Allergy Formulas or Wysong Anergen.  Many companies also offer 95% to 100% meat in canned formulas with a variety of unique protein sources; for example, Innova EVO offers Duck and Venison. Another thing to look for in the premix formulas are ingredients such as alfalfa or other grains as these may also contribute food allergies.

Once you have placed your pet on a restricted protein diet it will take some time to determine whether it is of benefit or not, possibly up to 12 weeks although it is quite possible to see improvement in as little as 4 to 8 weeks.  Once you have found a protein source that your pet is able to tolerate it is advisable to search out at least one more unique protein that they can handle in order to rotate protein sources in their diet. This is advisable since most pets that have demonstrated the tendency towards food intolerance are more likely to develop additional sensitivities making the rotation of the protein source in their diet all the more important.

Just because a pet may have a food allergy that requires a restricted diet doesn’t mean that treats have to fall to the wayside. There are many products designed especially for pets with food sensitivities so that as a pet owner you are still able to reward your companion with a tasty treat.  Plato Smart Strips are an excellent choice; they offer treats made with duck, salmon and kangaroo meat.  Another great option is Only Natural Pet Venison Jerky Bites or their Bison Strips. Also any of the freeze-dried meat treats work very well.

Another common cause for pet food allergies is grains. Some pets may have a grain allergy instead of, or as well as a protein allergy. For pet owners with pets with grain related allergies in addition to protein allergies the increase in grain free foods may seem a blessing. The problem arises in that while many of the grain free foods offer some very unique protein sources such as duck, bison, venison and salmon they are often combined with each other, exposing your pet to more than one protein source. While your pet may tolerate these unique proteins quite well it limits your choices if at some later time you must place your pet on a more restrictive diet. Also these more exotic protein sources are often combined with more common sources such as turkey, chicken or beef so be sure to read the labels carefully.

Having a pet with food allergies does require a bit more research and diligence on the part of the pet owner. However with the wide variety of unique protein sources as well as “allergy formulas” available it should be relatively easy to find two or three protein sources the pet can tolerate.

All of the quality pet products listed in this post can be found at http://Your-Pets-R-Family-2.com

The Value Of Protein In Pet Nutrition

Without question, nutrition is the solid foundation on which good health is built. When it comes to our pets nutritional needs quality protein is critical. Within the last 5 to 10 years there have been many advances in pet nutrition and pet food. This has spurred major growth in the “Natural Pet Foods” market. With that growth many questions have arisen along with much debate on the subject of protein in our pets diets. Which protein is best for our companion animals? How much protein should be in our pets diet?  Is it possible for our pets to receive too much protein?

First we must have a clear understanding of protein and how it works in the body. Perhaps some of you will remember this from biology class in school.  A protein molecule is constructed from chains of amino acids. There are 22 amino acids, 10 of which are “essential” amino acids. Different protein sources consist of different combinations of these amino acids. The 10 essential amino acids must be obtained through diet because our pets cannot create them on their own. Once the protein is ingested it is broken down into the separate amino acids through the digestion process. These amino acids are then transformed into the building blocks required for healthy skin, muscle, and organs. Some amino acids also aid in metabolic functions such as antibody regulation within the immune system or the transfer of impulses throughout the nervous system.

The best protein for our pets comes from animal sources. These proteins are the most complete and are more easily digested. These types of proteins offer a wider variety of amino acids and are more readily used within the body. As a bonus these proteins are also more appealing to our companion animals in terms of taste.

Proteins are granted a biological rating, the higher the rating the more readily that protein is used by the body. Of the proteins commonly used in pet foods, egg whites have the highest rating of 100, next is meat from muscle with a rating of 92, then meat from organs with a rating of 90. Grains such as wheat and corn, which, unfortunately, are still used by many commercial pet food companies as filler come with a rating of 60 and 54 respectively.  One thing that pet owners may wish to keep in mind when considering these ratings is that cooking meat at the high temperatures necessary for processing pet foods, whether canned or kibble reduces its biological value. For this reason pet parents may want to think about supplementing their animals diet with freeze dried, dehydrated, or even raw meals.

Having a basic understanding of protein, its sources and bio-availability helps in choosing the best food for your pet. However, there are several things to keep in mind when reading the labels on pet foods. Often people believe that if whole meat is listed as the first ingredient on a bag of kibble that it must be of high quality. This is not always the case.  Ingredients on pet food labels are listed by weight and whole meat is up to 75% water. If, for example, chicken is listed as the first ingredient and the following ingredient is wheat or corn the major portion of protein in that food comes from grain, which is not easily assimilated. It should be noted that studies have shown that expecting our carnivorous companion animals to fulfill their amino acid needs through grains contributes to pet obesity and grains are also a known allergen for many pets. Here is a simple way to insure that the pet food you are considering has the appropriate amount of protein from animal sources. If the first ingredient is whole meat, (note: this should be a named meat such as chicken, beef, lamb, etc.), the next ingredient should be a named meat meal such as chicken meal, beef meal or lamb meal and not a generic listing like “meat meal” or “by-product meal”

With the understanding that different protein sources have different amino acid combinations the question many pet owners are asking is “Which meat is best for my pet?” To be sure this is a hotly debated subject among pet owners, there are countless blogs and web pages dedicated to this subject and the opinions are wide and varied.  However the answer to this question largely depends on your individual pet. William Cusick, well known for his work in the food and pharmaceutical fields, conducted a study which suggests that dogs do well with a protein source that most closely matches that of their ancestors. For example the Border collie breed, which originated in Scotland would do well with lamb, fish and poultry, where as the German Shepard, originally bred in cattle regions of Germany would do well with beef.  While this information is all well and good the fact is that many dog owners have the “Heinz 57” breed, in other words a mixed breed and the ancestry of the pet is unclear.  Felines are presumed to have all developed on diets of rodents and birds. So, the question of which meat is right still remains.  The common answer among “experts” is three different meat sources. Providing a different protein source has two benefits, first it offers a wider variety of amino acid combinations and broader nutritional benefits. The second benefit is the reduction of the possibility of the development of food sensitivities or allergies. Often pets that are consistently fed the same diet for extremely long periods of time will develop sensitivity or an allergy to a particular source of protein leading to problems such as flatulence, loose stools or vomiting. Therefore it is recommended to rotate between three to four different meat sources. Ultimately the best choices will depend on your pet, try different foods and choose the ones your companion does well with.

Is it possible to provide too much protein in a pets diet? This is another point of contention among pet owners. The idea that a pet can have too much protein comes from the belief that excess protein in the diet can cause kidney disease. Research in pet nutrition has shown that this is not the case but the idea persists nonetheless.  It is believed that the idea of too much protein being problematic originated when veterinarians would place animals with kidney disease on low protein diets in an effort to lower nitrogen levels.  However, today more veterinarians are prescribing a food with a higher more easily digestible form of protein for pets with kidney ailments. With these types of proteins there is much less waste produced through the digestion process easing the burden on the kidneys and lowering the nitrogen levels in the body.

In healthy pets excess protein is normally excreted in their urine, used as energy or converted to fat. It is important when you are feeding your pet a high protein diet to keep a close watch on how much you are feeding so that your companion does not become overweight. Much like the deciding which protein source is right for your pet, how much protein you should be feeding depends largely on your individual pet. Some things to take into account when evaluating the amount of protein to feed are the pet’s lifestyle and activity level as well as their metabolism. In the case of growing puppies and kittens or with pregnant or nursing mothers the protein requirements are higher. This is also true of working dogs. Generally speaking most any premium pet food will provide the necessary fat and protein levels required if you feed a larger portion for their weight. Some pet owners may choose to supplement the diet with a high quality grain free canned food or even raw meat.

Choosing the appropriate diet for your pet may seem a daunting task at times. However if the pet owner keeps a few key points in mind it can be easily accomplished. Remember to read labels on pet foods carefully to determine that the pet is receiving a protein from a named meat source. Avoid grains whenever possible. Alternate among a variety of protein sources and if possible try to incorporate some fresher less processed foods. Of course as is always the wisest decision if you have unanswered questions consult with your pets veterinarian.

You can find high quality pet foods using only USDA human grade meats at http://your-pets-r-family-2.com