Pet Food: The Good, the Bad, and the Healthy

Most dogs and cats in the U.S. eat food and treats manufactured specifically for their particular species. Holistic veterinarians focus on the quality of nutrients entering pets’ bodies and strive to get them on whole-food-based diets with the same grade of nutrients consumed by humans. By providing their pets with commercially available dry and moist foods and treats – and under a barrage of buzzwords highlighting their supposedly nutritious nature -- pet parents are lulled into a false sense that their pet’s best health is being served. That is not always the case. In fact, pet parents can inadvertently poison their furry family members.

Let’s consider why pet food may be a good or bad choice for your pet, starting with ‘the good.’

Propylene Glycol (PG) is a humectant (moistening agent) found in some soft dog foods and treats. It is chemically derived from ethylene glycol (EG), also known as antifreeze, which is extremely toxic to animals.PG is touted as non-toxic and non-absorbent for your pet, but consuming ‘pet-safe’ antifreeze’ will not improve your pet’s health. We also provide many other pet products.

Why some dry dog foods could be hazardous for your pet’s health

There’s very little oversight into what goes into pet feed, the authors write. A bag of dry dog food needs to contain only 25 percent of the meat listed, so long as the packaging contains a descriptor such as “dinner,” “formula,” or “platter.” If one of these descriptors is used and water is added for processing, as is the case with canned food, the food must only contain 10 percent of the specified protein. And, the authors write, diseased, or disabled animals — is allowable, as are additives like melamine, peanut shells and dehydrated chicken feces.

“We’re using our four-legged family members .?.?. as walking recycling machines,” Chavez, an adjunct professor of veterinary clinical nutrition at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, told The Post. “Everyone has this illusion that [the pet-food industry is] super tightly regulated and controlled. And that’s just not the case.”

Veterinary nutrition is a relatively new field. Cornell University, with one of the top vet schools in the country, does not require students to take a course in animal nutrition to graduate. Plus, large pet-food companies actively court veterinarians and their loyalty, donating huge sums to schools and providing discounts to students.

Wet vs. Dry Cat Food: Which is Better?

If you’ve wondered which is better when it comes to wet vs. dry cat food, they’re both excellent choices. Just make sure the food you select is 100 percent complete and balanced for your cat’s age and life stage. While some cats (and cat owners) prefer one over the other, the best option may be to feed your cat both.

Shop Wet Cat Food

If you’ve never tried feeding wet cat food, explore the wide variety of options Purina offers. You may need to try several brands until you find a couple your cat likes. Fortunately, Laflamme reminds, “there are hundreds—if not thousands—of good quality cat foods available at grocery stores, pet specialty stores, online and through veterinarians.”

It’s also a good idea to try a few different serving methods. Some cats prefer their wet food “fluffed” and served on a flat plate or wide, low-edged bowl. Others will eat straight out of the can. Once you find a food and serving method your cat loves, she’ll enjoy eating a mix of wet and dry cat food on a regular basis.

Litter Matters Because of Texture

A big issue for cats is the texture of the litter. If a cat litter is too rough or the granules are too big, a cat will reject it because it doesn’t feel good under their paws. Remember, they love to dig around in their litter before and after they go, and if the litter is too harsh, they’ll reject it in favor of something else… like your favorite blanket.

Litter Matters Because of Smell

If you’ve ever walked into a bathroom and made a swift exit because of the smell, your cat can relate. A cat will avoid the litter box if it’s too full of waste, so make sure that it’s cleaned every day, especially if you have multiple cats. Alternatively, cats will reject the box if the litter is perfumed too heavily. It’s a delicate balance!

Litter Matters Because of Dust

Dust from clay litter is a big issue for cats and humans alike because both species can suffer from asthma. If you know your cat suffers from asthma, definitely stop using dusty cat litter as it can exacerbate the issue. It can also cause asthma, not just make it worse. Similarly, if you or anyone in your home suffers from asthma, COPD, allergies or other respiratory problems, avoid clay litter and use something else.