The Connection Between Food Choices and Pet Health: What You Need to Know

Are you worried about whether you are giving the right pet food to your furry friend? Most pet owners are, too, nowadays. Regarding pet food choices, aggressive marketing campaigns are everywhere promoting their brand of “healthy pet food.” It can confuse you about what is suitable for a pet cat or dog and what is not. You see! Just like humans, pet nutrition is also directly linked with pet wellness. It is because your pet’s overall health, energy levels, behavior, and lifespan are closely dependent on how much wholesome food they eat regularly. So, if you are pet owners, it is crucial to understand how dietary choices impact the health of your friendly companions. Making informed decisions about pet food can lead to a better quality of life and help prevent many common illnesses in pets.

Let’s explore together what makes a healthy diet for pets, how to choose pet food, and what makes the best diet for dogs/cats. You can better understand the connection between pet health and food choices.

What Are The Essential Pet Food Ingredients?

Every pet, whether cats, dogs, or other animals, requires a balance of proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals to maintain healthy bodily functions. Each nutrient has a specific role in your pet’s overall health.

• Vitamins and minerals are vital for overall bone health and immune support.

• Proteins help in muscle development, tissue repair, and immune function.

• Fats help maintain healthy skin and coat by providing a concentrated energy source.

• Carbohydrates serve as an energy source and also support gastrointestinal health.

Remember! Each pet’s diet requirements may vary depending on their size, age, species, breed, and activity level. For instance, growing puppies and kittens require more protein than adult pets. In contrast, senior pets might need a minimal diet plan to prevent weight gain with fewer calories required.

How To Choose Pet Food?

When it comes to pet food choices, you have numerous choices, including home-made pet food and commercially available pet products.

Home-made Pet Diet

Home-made diet is best for pets if you don’t mind extra time and expense. But you must be vigilant as commercial foods undergo testing and research to guarantee proper nutrition. If you choose a home-made diet, you let go of this advantage. How can you ensure your pet gets all the necessary nutrients, such as calcium, iodine, fat-soluble vitamins, copper, and others.

Commercial Pet Diet

Most pet owners prefer commercial pet food as the most convenient choice, but not all products are created the same. There are several types of commercial pet food available:

1.    Dry Food (Kibble)

It is a popular and convenient option, offering balanced nutrition and a long shelf life. Kibble is made of coarsely ground, small, dry pellets of processed food for pets (such as dogs and cats).

2. Canned Or Wet Food

 This food is ideal for pets needing hydration or other specific dietary needs because it contains higher moisture content. Canned food carries about 68-78% more water than dry food.

3. Raw Food

Raw diet is a trending topic nowadays. Some pet owners prefer this more natural option, but it requires careful handling to prevent contamination. However, many associations like the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA), American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), and the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA) have all released statements discouraging the feeding of raw or undercooked animal-source protein to dogs and cats.

Nutrition and pet health go hand in hand; thus, always check each commercial pet food product's ingredient list and nutritional profile when shopping. The trick is avoiding foods with excessive fillers like corn, soy, or artificial preservatives, which have little nutritional value. You should look for high-quality protein sources, such as chicken, beef, or fish, which are listed as the first ingredient.

AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials)

Another way to achieve pet longevity through nutrition is to look for established professionals to advise you on what your pet should eat. That could be your veterinarian, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), or the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO).

AAFCO is a voluntary organization that has been helping the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulate pet food and nutrition for over a century. It sets standards for pet food labeling in the United States. Always go for pet food marked as "complete and balanced," meaning it meets the nutritional needs of your pet's life stage.

Busting Myths About Pet Food Choices

When searching for a healthy diet for pets, you will listen to many things, some facts and some rumors. Myths and misconceptions about pet food lead to confusion for pet owners. Let’s bust some of these non-factual points regarding pet food choices and the best diet for dogs/cats. 

Myth One: Expensive Pet Food Is Always Better

Although expensive pet food ingredients are generally higher quality and easily digestible, this is not always true. A high cost does not always equate to better quality. What matters most is the nutritional profile and quality of ingredients. Sometimes, pet owners can design a better diet on a lesser budget.

Myth Two: Grain-free Diets Are Always Better

A trending misconception is that grain-free diets are best for all pets. The truth is that while some pets may benefit from grain-free diets due to allergies, most pets can digest grains without issues. Grain-free diets may even harm pets because they can cause fur babies to lose important nutrients. Modern grains and ancient grains like quinoa, oat groats, and amaranth can work well for your pets.

Myth Three: Pets Should Eat Raw Meat as More Natural

Raw diets are very popular nowadays as they are considered natural. However, one of the best pet health tips you should follow as a pet owner/ caretaker is to never give raw or undercooked meat and food to your beloved pets. Even The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) explicitly recommends against feeding pets raw or undercooked food.

Pet food ingredients like raw food and bones are risky. Similarly, vegetables should be washed, and meats should be thoroughly cooked before feeding pets. All these things pose risks of bacterial contamination and nutritional imbalances.

Myth Four: Pets Should Not Eat Legumes, Peas, Or Animal Byproducts.

Legumes and peas provide nutrients like vitamin A, iron, and magnesium. Animal byproducts, usually organs or entrails, are packed with nutrients. So, this myth of not feeding them to our dogs is just a myth. These are quite healthy and can’t be found in any commercial products. But it doesn’t lessen the value of these essential pet food items.

Myth Five: The Most Important Thing Is What our Pets Eat

Whenever we talk of pet longevity through nutrition or nutrition and pet health, the talk is always about what our pets eat, which is not the ‘Biggest’ problem. The main question should be: HOW MUCH do they eat? Getting too much nutrition and getting fat or obese is a far bigger problem than not getting enough nutrition from pet foods today.

What Factors To Consider While Going For A Healthy Diet For Pets?

You should consider these basic points for arranging a proper, well-balanced pet diet when selecting pet food.

• The presence of AAFCO certification

• The specific nutritional needs of your pet

• Your time and resources

• Your own food bias

• Your pet’s special medical needs

• Expensive doesn't mean the food is better

• Breed-specific diets aren't always the smart choice

Special Diets for Specific Pet Health Conditions

When the question arises of how to choose pet food, you may have to consider your pet’s particular health situation. Because in certain situations, pets may require special diets due to underlying health conditions. Some common special diets are mentioned as follows:

Ø  Weight management diets for overweight pets offer lower calories and higher fiber to promote weight loss.

Ø  Renal diets for pets with kidney disease are lower in phosphorus and protein to reduce kidney strain.

Ø  Hypoallergenic or grain-free diets are for pets with food allergies or intolerances. These diets exclude the ingredients of wheat, soy, or artificial additives.

Your veterinarian can help guide you in choosing the right diet for your pet’s health.

Parting Thoughts

Thus, a great connection exists between food choices and pet health. Your pet food choices directly relate to pet longevity through nutrition. The best thing you can do for your pet, whether a dog, cat, bird or a mammal, is provide them a balanced, high-quality diet for their long-term health. First, you should select a trusted source for your pet nutrition like the Koko’s Kitchen. Koko’s Kitchen is great for premium, wellness-centered frozen dog treats. So, for the best nutrition and pet health, you can rely on Koko’s Kitchen with absolute confidence.

Whether you choose commercial pet food, a home-made diet, or a special medical diet, ensure your pet’s nutritional needs are met. You may also consult a veterinarian to ensure your pet is getting the right nutrients or not. Select the right wellness-based pet diet partner because a well-fed pet is a happy, energetic, and healthier companion for years to come.