DescriptionWhat should you feed your pet? This is a question that more pet owners need to be asking. There are many options out there and not all of them are good sources of nourishment. Pet food has become a popular item for those looking to provide their dog or cat with nutritious food that is also tasty.
DescriptionMost pet food is companion food meant for consumption by companion animals. Usually sold at most pet stores and supermarket, it’s usually specific to the kind of animal, including cat or dog food. Mostly all meat used for domestic animals is a by-product of the food industry, which means that it should not be considered “human grade” on the same level as the food that we eat ourselves.
Raw food diets have been around since domestication. In fact, they’ve been around a lot longer than the modern convenience foods that fill our refrigerators. And because of this, veterinarians have had years to develop a process for preparing meals for dogs and cats who live a primarily raw lifestyle. And like with humans, the meals have to be properly prepared and eaten on a regular basis in order for the right nutrients to be absorbed and the animal to remain healthy. Unfortunately, most owners never even bother to give their pets a full meal, and as a result their bodies go into severe nutritional deficiencies and their lives come to a grinding halt.
Veterinarians and Animal Feed Control Officials recommend that owners give their dogs and cats a full meal at least once a day. They recommend commercial pet foods with meat as the main ingredient, but admit that home cooked meals can be equally nutritious. Unfortunately, most owners don’t take the time to make sure that their pets are getting a proper diet, and because of this the nutrition and health of their pets suffer.
Commercial pet foods consist mainly of beef, chicken meal, and other inferior meats that have little value for us humans. We know that these meats provide essential vitamins and minerals for good health, but most people don’t consider that they also lack nutritional value and are often deficient in important nutrients. It’s ironic really because commercial chicken meal is derived from chickens that were destined for food for humans. The poor quality meat derived from this meal has caused a lot of unnecessary and fatal diseases over the years. Diseases like urinary tract infection, cancer, and other lethal ailments have risen dramatically in the U.S. due to poor quality chicken meal.
There was a time when cats simply didn’t eat anything but meat. But we’ve changed, and now cats prefer to eat veggies, fruits, nuts, grains, and even whole grains instead of the traditional meat. So, if your vet tells you that you cats can’t eat the traditional meat, maybe you should start educating yourself about what’s in that meal. Ask your vet what type of meat they use on a daily basis. While it’s true that they may have a dry diet, the quality of meat they use is far superior to that offered to dogs and cats.
Dry kibble diets for cats are expensive, but they are by far the best for them. They are also good for cats that are allergic to corn or soy products, as these diets can cause gastrointestinal upset and other problems. For cats that have seasonal allergies, special diets exist for them also. Even if you cat likes both canned and dry diets, you’ll want to alternate back and forth between the two, depending on your cat’s individual food preferences.
As you can see, the main differences between kibble and canned pet food aren’t really the quality of the meat. Instead, what’s important is making sure that it’s nutritionally adequate for your cat. Make sure that your vet gives your cat a complete examination before you change any of their eating habits, including the types of food they eat. It’s better to be safe than sorry when it comes to the health of your pets.
