|
A Consumers Guide to Pet Food:
Valuable Information for Pet Owners
(The following information was obtained from
www.petfoodreport.com/#labels Information found on this page includes
only a select number of questions/answers that are provided from the above site.)
Question
What
does "complete and balanced" mean?
Answer
Unlike most foods for people, many pet food products are designed to be
the sole source of nutrition for a pet dog or cat. Products that are
labeled "complete and balanced," as defined by the Association of American
Feed Control Officials (AAFCO), have been tested to make sure they meet
the complex nutritional requirements of a healthy dog or cat?
Question
What
does it mean on a pet food label that a product has been tested using
animal feeding trials?
Answer
There are two ways a pet food company can test the nutrition of its
products. One method is the use of standardized animal feeding trials,
designed by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO), to
make sure their products meet the complex nutritional requirements of dogs
and cats. The animals in these tests are fed the food for six months and
are closely monitored to make sure they stay healthy. A product using this
test will have language similar to the following on the label - "Animal
feeding tests using AAFCO procedures substantiate that Nancy's Food for
Dogs provides complete and balanced nutrition for all life stages."
Question
What
other tests are done to make sure the pet food is good for my dog or cat?
Answer
In addition to feeding trials, many companies also use the nutritional
profiles developed with the help of feeding trials to make sure their
products meet the requirements of dogs and cats at
their various stages in life. A product using this test would have
language similar to this on the label - "Nancy's Food for Dogs is
formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Dog
Food Nutrient Profiles for all life stages."
Just like food for people, pet foods must be correctly labeled. In
addition to a product name and specifying whether it is food for dogs or
cats, pet food labels are also required to describe the product, list the
ingredients in the food, and list the guaranteed analysis of the product.
All pet foods are required to have a specific brand and will also have
the name of the company that made the food and usually a telephone number
for consumers to call with questions.
Question
Can I
feed cat food to my dog?
Answer
Dogs and cats each have special dietary needs and should be fed the
appropriate pet food. Cats should not eat dog food because it does not
provide all the essential nutrients a healthy cat needs. In short, dog
food is designed to meet the nutritional needs of a dog and cat food is
designed to meet the needs of a cat.
Question
When a
pet food label says it contains "beef" or "chicken" how much of the food
is beef or chicken?
Answer
The ingredients in pet food are listed in descending order by weight from
largest to smallest. For example, if chicken is the first ingredient on
the label then the pet food contains more chicken than any other
ingredient.
Question
What
does the term "guaranteed analysis" mean?
Answer
"Guaranteed analysis" is a regulatory requirement for pet food that refers
to minimum or maximum values of key nutrients, such as minimum protein and
fat, as well as the maximum fiber and water content.
Pet food is regulated by
the Food and
Drug Administration (FDA), the states through their feed laws and the
Association
of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO), and the
US Department
of Agriculture (USDA). This multi-layered regulation and the
industry's commitment to research and education help ensure that pet food
products continue to be sail and nutritious for pet dogs and cats.
Question
What
is AAFCO and why is it listed on pet food labels?
Answer
"AAFCO" stands for the Association of American Feed Control Officials.
AAFCO is a group of made up of state and federal officials who regulate
pet food. For example, AAFCO defines the ingredients that can be used in
pet food, establishes nutrition profiles for dogs and cats and sets the
approved practices for conducting feeding trials.
Question
Why do
I need to follow the feeding directions on a pet food package?
Answer
The feeding directions on pet food have been developed specifically for a
particular food, taking into consideration a pet's breed, age and activity
level. Feeding more or less based on experience with other products may
not provide proper nutrition for your pet.
Pets, like some people, may eat too much if given the opportunity. Pet
food feeding amounts are designed to prevent a pet dog or cat from eating
too much food. Over consumption, like in people, can make a pet overweight
and lead to health problems.
Question
Can I
feed my dog table scraps?
Answer
Since pet food is designed to be the sole source of nutrition for a
healthy dog or cat, supplementing a pet's diet with leftovers or with
other foods for people is not necessary and may cause health problems.
Many leftovers contain too much sugar, salt, fat or other ingredients that
are not good for pets. Some foods, like chocolate for dogs and onions for
cats, can actually make a pet very sick.
Question
What
is the best way to change my pet's food?
Answer
If you decide to change your pet's diet, veterinarians recommend you do it
slowly. Rapid changes in diet can cause upset stomach and other problems.
When changing pet food, start by mixing some of the new food in with your
pet's regular food. Over the next three to five days, gradually increase
the amount of new pet food. After this transition, your pet should be more
adjusted to the new food.
Question
How do
I know if my pet is overweight and should be fed a special diet?
Answer
The best way to determine your pet's overall health, including whether or
not your dog or cat should lose weight, is a visit to your veterinarian.
If your pet needs to loose weight, your veterinarian might advise a new
pet food or reducing the amount of pet food you feed. Also, to avoid an
overweight pet it is advisable to avoid feeding table scraps that might
contain a lot of fat and sugar.
Pet food manufacturers use a wide range of agricultural
ingredients. These products include meat, poultry, seafood, feed grains
and other agricultural products and products produced during food
processing for human consumption.
Vitamins, minerals and preservatives are added as needed to assure that
products provide total nutrition and remain wholesome during distribution
and on the shelf. All ingredients used in pet food are approved for use by
the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the US Department of
Agriculture (USDA), the same agencies that regulate human foods.
Question
What
are by-products?
Answer
By-products, simply put, are the parts of animals people do not normally
eat.
Here's what the Animal Protection Institute has to say about by-products:
"The protein used in pet food comes from a variety of sources. When
cattle, swine, chickens, lambs, or other animals are slaughtered, the
choice cuts such as lean muscle tissue are trimmed away from the carcass
for human consumption. However, about 50% of every food-producing animal
does not get used in human foods. Whatever remains of the carcass --
bones, blood, intestines, lungs, ligaments, and almost all the other parts
not generally consumed by humans -- is used in pet food, animal feed, and
other products. These "other parts" are known as "by-products,"
"meat-and-bone-meal," or similar names on pet food labels."
Click Here Now for Full Report!
© pet-food-zone.com 2006
info@pet-food one.com
|
