Over the years we have tried many different foods for our two dogs. Our older boy went through some trying times, with terrible dandruff and smelly skin, poor guy. Finding a food he liked that was also good for him nutritionally was a challenge, and we really didn’t know what to look for in a dog food, or understand what to do to get the best nutrition for our dogs.
I wanted to know what we should be looking for, how we would know if we were making the right choices. Luckily, thanks to Petcurean, I had the opportunity to interview Dr. Jennifer Adolphe, Senior Nutrionalist to check in and see if we were on the right track, focussing on how to get the best nutrition for your pet. I was also very interested in what kinds of easy snacks could we give him that were not processed. Dr. Adolphe broke down my questions and provided me with some easy to follow suggestions and reccomendations for keeping our guy happy and healthy.
- What are the most important things to look for in a healthy pet food?
With so many options in the pet food aisle, it can seem like a daunting task to choose the diet that is right for your pet. Petcurean believes that a “one-for-all” philosophy does not work when it comes to feeding pets since dogs and cats come is so many different shapes, sizes, backgrounds and ages. If pet parents need help choosing a food that works for their pet, our Food Finder is a great place to start.
When it comes to selecting a healthy pet food, one of the first places to look is the ingredient panel. Pet food labels must list ingredients in descending order by weight. Select foods that have their ingredients sourced from trusted partners as close to the manufacturing facility as possible to ensure freshness and reduce the environmental impact from transportation. Whole food ingredients, like fresh meats, fruits, and vegetables, provide the essential nutrients, antioxidants and plant-based nutrients to support optimal health. It is also important to select a food that has detailed nutrient information readily available.
It is also important to select one that is complete and balanced. This means that the food provides all of the nutrients that your pet needs to be healthy. Look for the life stage for which the food was formulated to make sure the product meets the nutrient requirements of your pet. Pet foods may be formulated for growth (puppies and kittens), reproduction (gestation and lactation), adult maintenance, or all life stages.
Choose a brand that offers consumer support so you can pick up the phone and talk to someone who can help with nutritional problems or questions should they arise.
- What are the key signs that your pet is NOT getting the nutrition they need from their pet food?
If you have any concerns about your pet’s health, your veterinarian is the first person to contact. Itchy skin, vomiting, diarrhea, chronic paw licking and recurrent ear infections are signs that your pet may be experiencing an adverse food reaction. However, the symptoms of food reactions often mimic other conditions, such as environmental allergies to pollen and grass, and diagnosis can be challenging. If a food sensitivity is suspected, there are several dietary options to consider.
Limited ingredient diets, such as the GO! SENSITIVITY + SHINE™ Limited Ingredient Venison recipe for dogs, offer a single source of meat protein with as few ingredients as possible to meet the nutritional requirements of pets. Hydrolyzed protein diets are another option for food reactive pets. The protein in these diets has undergone a process to hydrolyze, or break down, the protein into smaller fragments so they are less likely to cause a reaction. Home-cooked diets are often used in diet elimination trials to pinpoint the cause of the food sensitivity because the types of ingredients included in the diet can be specifically selected for the individual pet. If a home-cooked diet is necessary for the long term, it should be formulated by a qualified veterinary nutritionist to ensure that it is nutritionally complete.
- What are the best homemade, or real food treats/snacks you can give your pet. (looking for things in the fridge here, i.e.: carrots, etc)
Everyone deserves a treat now and again, including our pets! Homemade treats are a great option and there are many recipes available to make your own healthy treats. If you’re looking for something a little easier, raw vegetables such as carrots, broccoli and beans are also healthy and tasty options.
Remember that treats should always be given in moderation. With pet obesity on the rise, excessive treating can cause problems with your pet’s waistline and overall health. Treats do not provide all of the nutrition your pet requires, so they should only make up a small proportion of your pet’s diet.
Thanks to Dr. Adolphe and Petcurean we have found a food that fits our boy and our lifestyle. He heartily enjoys his Petcurean Go Natural food, and occasionally gets treated with fresh veggies straight from our garden. He’s active, healthy and comfortable thanks to Petcurean.
The best news though, is Petcurean has a special treat for YOUR pet! Enter below to WIN $100 worth of Petcurean Pet Food for your 4 legged friend. (That is four 6lb bags of GO! or Now Fresh dog or cat food) Redemption coupons will be sent directly to the winner. Please note you must be a resident of Canada to enter.
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