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In today’s world, everything depends on the strategy. There is simply no way you can go about doing anything without using tricks and tips from the internet.
Long gone are the days when feeding your pets was a piece of cake. Now, you have to pick the right food for your pet according to its breed, its age, its weight, any specific condition it has, and this list goes on and on.
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Competition in the pet food industry has made our lives harder than easier. Now we have so many options to choose from, that we don’t know which one to pick. This article will help you make those instant decisions you need at the right time.
Last update on 2023-12-08 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
1. Know the Marketing Terms
Before you embark on your trip to the supermarket, educate yourself about the few terms marketers are using these days to promote their products.
Don’t be fooled by the word ‘organic’ in the packaging, as it means the ingredients were procured organically, but their quality was not necessarily maintained during processing the food.
On the other hand, ‘natural’ means that the ingredients don’t contain a lot of chemical additives and artificial substances. It does not necessarily mean that no pesticides were used on the ingredients for farming.
Again, ‘human grade’ and ‘holistic’ are terms used for products that don’t have to meet any regulatory policies. Hence human-grade fruits, vegetables, and meat may contain Salmonella and E. coli, which are not good for your pets.
2. Check for the Labels
Good quality pet food products will be certified and approved by the official pet food authorities. Giving your pets the wrong food can have disastrous consequences on the pets.
For this reason, the Association of American Food Control Officials has provided crucial information on how to properly handle pet food, what to actually feed them and how to feed them correctly.
Always read the label on the product packaging so that you know what you’re buying. If your veterinarian has recommended any special ingredient for your pets, check whether that ingredient is in the pet food you’re purchasing or not.
You must be extra cautious when it comes to pets with allergies and health conditions. Do read the labels to ensure you are not feeding your pets something that can be poisonous to them.
3. Grain-free Diet
There are lots of debate about whether grains are actually bad for dogs or not. Regardless, it’s better for dogs not to have certain grains.
Popular dog food grains are rice, quinoa, oats, corn, buckwheat, and barley. They are absolutely healthy for human consumption, but what about your dogs? Undoubtedly some of these grains are highly nutritious for your pet companion.
Corn can cause allergies in some dogs, so check with your veterinarian before feeding them pet food that contains corn. Some of the symptoms of allergies include excessive itching, scabs, hot spots, inflamed skin, bald patches, and hair loss. If you notice any of these signs, set an appointment at the clinic as soon as possible.
4. Food to Avoid at All Cost
Now that you know which pet food is safe for consumption by your dog by understanding the labeling, you can go on learning more about the food that your pet must stay clear of.
Caffeine, chocolate, and alcohol consumption can cause vomiting and diarrhea in pet dogs. Consumed in high amounts may result in internal bleeding and heart attacks.
Garlic, leek, onion, and chives can cause diarrhea and stomach pain in your little buddies. Raisin and grapes can cause kidney failure, so please steer clear of these fruits.
On the other hand, mushrooms, yeast, and mold can cause a lot of damage to your pet dog causing vomiting, muscle tremors, seizures, and anorexia.
Therefore, when you’re shopping for your pet dog’s lunch and dinner, be aware of these felons.
5. Understanding the Ingredients
If you’re new to choosing the right pet food for your pets, advice from the local clinic and mature pet owners may be of great help. Talk to them about the type of pet food that would be most suitable for your pet.
Additionally, do your research online to understand your pet’s nutritional needs. Read the reviews pet owners post online, so that you know what’s best.
Furthermore, if the pet food packaging contains words such as ‘by product’, ‘meal’, ‘meat’, ‘animal fat’, and other generic words, it’s best to avoid that product. If the packaging does not state clearly what the product contains, don’t buy it.
Whatever brand of pet food you buy, opt for the ones with high protein density instead of high grain density. Regardless, you can feed meat to your pet dog separately, if you wish.
6. Make Economic Decisions
Truth be told, having a pet or a number of them are not cheap. They need high-quality care, food, living condition, and maintenance.
The best pet food in the market is quite pricey. To save a few bucks, you can feed your pets from your own plate, and that is okay.
But for those who would rather buy ready-to-eat pet food, you should always make purchases using online coupons or in-store coupons. The more members you have in your family, the higher is your monthly expense.
So instead of compromising on the quality of food you provide your pets, make the most of the coupons in your wallet.
Final Thoughts
Looking after your spouse, children and pets go hand-in-hand. They all have specific needs and requirements that need to be met.
It would have been easier if you could feed your pets what you feed your spouses and children. However, that may not be a good idea, since your pets have unique nutritional needs.
Hence, make sure you learn as much as you can about the current marketing terms for pet food, ingredients, your pet’s individual nutritional needs, and food that may be harmful to their health.
Lastly, utilize the coupons you have forgotten about to minimize your weekly expense on pet food.
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