The most common question asked by clients when they get a pet is “what should I feed him?” There is no correct answer here. If you’re looking for “this is the ultimate food!” response, you wont get it. There also is no simple answer here. Most of the time your veterinary staff is going to advise you feed your pet what they are feeding theirs. Why? Because there are hundreds of options on the market today, too many to keep up with, and the brand of food they feed their pet is what they know and trust. Many veterinary hospitals are no longer selling pet foods, even prescription pet foods, because the consumer (you guys!), are finding them cheaper online. But that’s a topic for another day.
Walk down the pet food aisles at any local pet store and check out the label. Labels hold a plethora of information, you just have to take the time to read it! I’ll provide a detailed explanation of pet food labels in a later blog. The first thing you will notice when comparing labels is that dry kibble holds significantly more calories per cup compared to any other type of food. Why is this? Because kibble often contains the highest amount of starchy carbohydrates. Carbohydrates are the cheapest energy source. Kibble is designed to be calorie packed and economical, therefore it is the cheapest way to feed your pet. The most expensive options are gently cooked and freeze-dried raw diets. These diets typically contain significantly less carbohydrates. Keep in mind, your pet could easily receive 300-500 kcals/cup of dry kibble, whereas if you feed a gently cooked or raw diet they may only be getting 150-200kcals/cup. You would have to feed your pet double or triple the amount of food on these diets compared to a dry kibble diet. I mention cost, because everyone is concerned about cost. You want to feed the absolute best food to your pet, but your budget disagrees.
Maybe money isn’t a concern and you can choose a food regardless of price. Would your primary care physician recommend a highly processed diet for you three times daily for the rest of your life? No. That’s obesity and a heart attack waiting to happen. Your physician will advise a fresh food diet full of fresh fruits, vegetables, and grains. It seems kind of silly that pet food companies have us all convinced that a highly processed diet that doesn’t even resemble real food is the way to go. My view on pet food is controversial in the veterinary community, and I accept that.
I fed “high quality” kibble to my pets in the past, as well as canned diets. I am currently home cooking with the help of Balanceit.com for my dog Sox. Biscuit is enjoying a frozen raw chicken diet from Instinct. Frozen raw diets are often less expensive than freeze-dried raw because there is less processing involved. Bleu… well… he’s eating a mixture of Nutro Ultra kibble and Instinct frozen raw chicken diet. Meatball (the cat) is eating Purina canned EN. **Gasp, the horror!** At this moment in time, Purina EN is the best option for Meatball.
My answer to the question: Feed the best option for you and your pet. Fresher is always better but not always possible. Vitamins and minerals from fresh foods are more bioavailable to your pets body in comparison to synthetic vitamins and minerals which must be added to highly processed foods to make them “complete and balanced”. I will never judge you for your choice in pet foods. But I may judge you if you chose to eat a hotdog and cheetos three times a day for the rest of your very short life.
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