Table of contents:

How To Choose The Right Food For Your Pet
How To Choose The Right Food For Your Pet

Video: How To Choose The Right Food For Your Pet

Video: How To Choose The Right Food For Your Pet
Video: How to: Choose the right food for your pet. 2024, March
Anonim

We love them so much, our big and very tiny, hairy and naked, lovely and devoted. They warm our souls and open doors for us to a world of trust and love. Their health and life are so dependent on us. They have no choice, they eat what they give. But the "right" food will preserve health and prolong life. So let us take into account their needs and respect their right to healthy food and suitable living conditions. "We are what we eat" - this is fully suitable for our pets. Dogs are carnivores, their bodies are adapted to receive nutrients and energy from food of animal origin. We know that dogs need a scientifically balanced diet that includes proteins, fats, carbohydrates, minerals and vitamins for proper growth, development, pregnancy and optimal condition.

The right balance between nutrients and the quality of the starting products is of great importance to animals. And we want to make the right choice. But how to choose from the huge number of feeds on offer. Often our choice is determined by advertising, where, tenderly hugging each other, the owner and the dog experience endless pleasure from the food and the company that made it. When advertising is created by professionals, they know which psychological points need to be pressed in order to interest the public. And the public resignedly gives money for products of which they have no idea. Remember - advertising does not provide facts. Not to mention, some of the widely advertised pet foods contain preservatives and colorants that cause liver damage, cancer, developmental defects,lesions of the nervous system and are prohibited for humans. Often a person chooses food for his pet on the advice of a breeder, friends or veterinarian. But here, too, pitfalls are often encountered: these people often do not have sufficient knowledge and can also be "victims of advertising". To the specific question "Why is this particular product better?", They give an exhaustive answer "Because!" Agree, the opinion is very subjective. For one "watermelon is good, and for another, pork cartilage". How to be? It turns out that everything has already been invented and thought out in all developed countries to protect consumers. Just in order to use all the notions, you need to learn how to independently understand the information presented on the package. I would like to draw your attention - ON THE PACKAGE WITH THE PRODUCT. Since only for this information the manufacturer is liable before the law. The manufacturer does not bear such responsibility for information in booklets, posters, magazines and other media. Well, translations in Russian often do not coincide with reality at all. We seem to have a law, but like everyone else, it doesn't work. Therefore, I recommend reading in any foreign language. As a rule, there are several of them on the package. So, let's get down to clarification.

In accordance with the directives of regulatory authorities in developed European countries, as well as in the USA and Canada, there is a labeling law, based on which the manufacturer is obliged to indicate on the packaging information that is true. If, when checked, the data on the packaging does not correspond to the results of the analysis of the product, the company pays astronomical fines and may even cease to exist. In the modern market, various firms present their goods in three categories: super-premium class, premium and economy class. IF IT IS WRITTEN ON THE BAG WITH THE FEED - "SUPER PREMIUM" THIS DOES NOT DETERMINE ITS QUALITY. The word "super" and "premium" works flawlessly on minds not burdened with knowledge. You should know that this classification is not regulated by law (i.e. on the packaging of any feed you can write at least super,at least super-super). THE QUALITY OF FEED CAN BE ESTIMATED ONLY BY THE INFORMATION PROVIDED ON THE PACKAGE. The information presented on the package is divided into two parts: main and informational.

Basic information

  • manufacturer's trademark · contact details
  • purpose (for which dogs and what age)
  • description of the contents ("Lamb with rice", "Chicken")

Information intelligence - guaranteed analysis

  • The percentage of nutrients. Tells nothing about the quality of the feed. Conforms to general requirements for minimum and maximum content of substances in accordance with the established standards. They are approximately the same in both economy class feed and high quality professional feed. The total amount in the feed is indicated, not what is actually absorbed. The amount absorbed depends on the quality of the ingredients.
  • Why is the percentage of nutrients not an indicator of quality?

Because this is only a biochemical analysis of the product. Dogs and cats do not eat percentages. In addition, if we prepare a homogeneous mixture of a certain amount of old leather shoes, machine oil, sawdust and water and carry out a biochemical analysis of this little appetizing product, we get approximately the following: protein 25% (leather from shoes), fat 10% (machine oil), fiber 3% (sawdust). The data are quite consistent with a typical commercial feed. It is clear that such a product can only be eaten once. He will also be the last. In order to find out whether, in fact, there are shoes and sawdust in the stern or not, we turn to the constituent ingredients.

So, the most important thing!

· Ingredients. They give us an idea of the composition and biological value of a given feed. Good feeds are listed in detail, specifying the source of protein, fat, carbohydrates, fiber, in descending order by weight. That is, if in the first place we see corn, wheat, etc. and in the composition of only one component of animal origin, we must realize that we are buying porridge - a cheap product and not suitable as a staple food for dogs and cats. Porridge-based food is enemy number one for the predator's gastrointestinal system. Most of the disease of the stomach and intestines is associated precisely with feeding on cereals-based feed (James W. Simpson, Roderick W. Else, Blackwell Scientific Publications Editorial Offices, 1991).

If we see a generalization in the composition (for example: cereals, meat and meat products, etc.) - the feed is definitely economy class and, most likely, is made from the waste of flour mills and slaughterhouses.

· In a good feed, meat always comes first. Natural (which improves the quality of the feed) or meat flour. Moreover, not less than 25%. Not to be confused with total protein. This figure (if the manufacturer indicates it) is after the name of the meat product. Further, the composition must necessarily contain at least two sources of animal protein (for example, fish and eggs, or liver and eggs).

· IMPORTANT FACT: Dogs and cats do not live by what they eat, but by what they absorb. Thus, another indicator of a good feed is high digestibility. How to determine this? Elementary. We find the feeding rates on the label. The LOWER the feed rate, the HIGHER the feed quality. Feeding rates for cheap feed are one and a half to two times higher than that of high quality ones. Therefore, you pay not twice as much for good food as it seems, but a little more, but your pet gets health and long summers. As it turns out, sometimes health can be bought. Usually, for comparison, food is selected for adult animals without special needs, and in the table with norms - a weight of 10 kg for dogs and 3 kg for cats. In good food, the daily feeding rate for a dog is 10 kg 115 -140 g, for a cat weighing 3 kg - 30-35 g. The less, the better the composition of the food.

For example: a dog ate 100 grams of chicken meat - the body uses 98 grams, and 2 grams will go away, sorry, in poop. If a dog ate 100 grams of corn, the body uses only 54 grams, respectively, 46 grams will go into the above-mentioned processed product. Feel the difference! If you buy good food, you pay for the health of your dog; if you buy low-quality food, you pay for it is clear what.

· Why is it important that the ingredients are listed in detail?

So that the consumer knows what he is buying and what he is paying for.

Example:

Feed number 1

Ingredients: chicken (> 30%), wheat, animal fat, rice, wheat flour, beet pulp, corn flour, flaxseed, fish meal, brewer's yeast, dried egg.

Summary: the manufacturer guarantees a high percentage of meat content, and most importantly, the consistency of this composition in each package. Eggs and fishmeal are excellent sources of protein for dogs. Animal fat is a very good source of animal fat. Beet pulp is the optimal source of fiber for dogs. We have a clear idea of what products we feed our pet. All components are high quality complete products purchased at standard prices. Accordingly, this product cannot cost "three kopecks".

Feed number 2

Ingredients: Cereals, meat offal, vegetable fats, animal and vegetable protein extract

Summary: Food based on plant ingredients. Production waste is suitable for the definition of all components. The manufacturer does not guarantee the consistency of the composition for the types of feedstock. Different batches may contain different products (for example: today they put wheat, tomorrow corn, but in general it can only be waste of the milling production, they also fit the definition of "cereal" in feed). About meat offal: see below

Yes, a consumer can choose a cheaper product, but he must understand what is the difference between one and the other. Most owners mistakenly believe that foods differ only in name.

· What are offal?

According to the laws on feed products adopted in Europe, not only liver, heart, rumen, lungs and other useful products, but also corpses of fur-bearing animals, feathers, horns, hooves, skin with wool, blood and even urine. Fu, what disgusting! In short, slaughterhouse waste. And many manufacturers use it. Consumer, be afraid of the unclear definition of "offal". There is no such word in the composition of high-quality feed, no, and again not. If a by-product is used, then it is always indicated which one (for example: chicken liver).

· What are antioxidants and preservatives?

These substances prevent fat from going rancid and ensure long-term storage of the product.

A good feed uses antioxidants such as vitamin E (tocopherols), vitamin C (ascorbic acid), herbal extracts and oils. This is indicated on the packaging with pride and obligatory, as it is an additional advertisement for the manufacturer. Be sure to pay attention to this when choosing a product and carefully read everything that is written on the package in the smallest print somewhere in a secluded place. Because it is officially allowed to introduce formic, lactic, acetic, propionic, hydrochloric, sulfuric, tartaric, phosphoric acids, partially their salts, sodium bisulfite, sodium nitrite into animal feed as preservatives. Impressive? If you see EWG additives in the composition, then you should know that very harmful preservatives can be hidden behind unfamiliar letters: propyl gallate, entoxequin, BHA (E320) BHT (E321). According to research,these substances can cause cancer, allergic reactions, liver damage, and developmental disorders. Even in small doses, these substances, lingering in the liver and adipose tissue, cause diseases as they accumulate. And the dog is beloved, the light in the window. And we give her - poisonous poison! But now we all know and "the enemy will not pass."

· Of course, good food uses scientific research in dietetics. For example: supplements for joint health, intestines, immunity, special diets for older dogs, optimal calcium and phosphorus content for large breed puppies, etc. But this is a topic for a separate conversation.

· Another important thing. Good food contains no flavorings or colors. Did you know, gentlemen consumers, that as flavoring and appetite stimulating substances in feed, it is allowed to use all means: both natural and similar synthetic. Here, producers of low-quality feed have a lot of space. In most cases, dogs and cats, if they are sane, are unlikely to eat grain pacifiers in vegetable oil. But after all, they, gullible, can be deceived. Add flavoring, and everyone will eat, how cute. And the owners are touched - the beloved "child" devours both cheeks. You shouldn't be happy - you were deceived too. The fragrance may not be harmful, but the food … how to say, so as not to offend … As a result, health is undermined again.

And yet, today there are enough producers in the world who, just like you and me, are very fond of dogs and cats, both their own and others. And for them, not only money is important, but the health and quality of life of those whom we have tamed. And that is why there is a chance to find high-quality food safe for health for those in whom the soul is not tea.

Recommended: