Pet Nutrition- Does Expensive Mean Better?

Some people think that the higher the cost of their pet food the better quality it is. In some pet foods a higher price could indicate better ingredients and quality control but on the other hand it could just mean prettier packaging, more marketing or a fancy name.

Consumer Reports asked eight experts at seven top veterinary schools about dog and cat nutrition and what they fed their own pets. Most of them said they used a variety of common brands that were sold at pet stores or supermarkets. The bottom line according to Consumer Reports is to look at the overall nutritional value of a pet food brand and not to shop by price or brand.

When looking for pet food for your cats or dogs  look for food labelled "complete and balanced" which means it will give your pet all the nourishment they need in one product. You should also make sure that the package has contact information for the manufacturer of the pet food in case you have any questions.

When deciding what food will best suit  your pet you need to consider their age and whether they have special needs. For example, cats that have kidney or urinary problems may benefit from the moisture in wet food, while animals with dental issues may do better with dry food.Age specific food is very important for puppies, kittens and pregnant pets. Pet food that is labeled either "for growth" or "for all stages" will meet the needs of young and pregnant animals. If the food is labeled "for maintenance" this food is for a healthy adult animal.

There is little or no nutritional difference between wet and dry pet food. However there is a cost difference. Wet food contains about 75% water, so your pet would need more to get the same calories as in dry; which makes wet food more expensive per serving than dry. It is suggested that you give your pet a combination of wet and dry to make sure that they are consuming the calories necessary for them to be active and healthy.

And remember, cat insurance or dog insurance is like having health insurance on yourself, it is there when you need it for those unexpected large health-related bills. By having this kind of insurance you can ensure that your pets will get the best treatment if they are ever injured or seriously ill. You can buy pet insurance no matter the age of your pet. As long as you keep the premiums up they will be covered for their lifetime.

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