Your dog or cat is an important part of your life and, for many, considered to be a furry family member. Most pet owners want the best they can provide for their companion. Making a food choice is right up there at the top of the list of things that are important to long term health and longevity.

            The simple answer to the question, “What should I feed my pet?” is this: feed the best premium food that you can comfortably afford. The emphasis is on premium.

            The premium brands you find at Feeders Supply are made by well-established, reputable companies. They generally price their products based on the cost of their ingredients, with meat being the most expensive component. When you do a comparison, you’ll find that the more meat a food contains, the higher the price and the better your pet’s overall health, skin and coat will be. If you decide to compare foods, you’ll find that many of the meat-laden premiums cost just pennies more per serving than non-premiums!

            So, why is meat so important? The simplest answer lies in the fact that dogs and cats are not “little humans.” In the wild, canines and felines hunt prey and eat meat. Canines in the wild will also eat some vegetable matter, but generally felines do not. Dogs are able to digest carbohydrates (found in grains, fruits and vegetables), and cats can too, although not as well as dogs do. Both species’ digestive systems’ process the protein found in meat very efficiently and because of meat’s high-digestibility, you’ll see smaller, firmer stools.

            Of special interest for cat owners is the importance of the protein building block (amino acid) taurine. Different species sometimes need different amino acids to stay alive, because their bodies do not make all the protein components they require. For cats, one amino acid they must have to survive is taurine, and they must get it from their food. Thus, cat food manufacturers are very careful to either formulate with enough meat or to supplement with taurine. Cats should not be fed dog food, because canine rations don’t have a taurine supplement.

            Some non-premium foods with grains (mainly corn) as their main ingredient(s) report on their labels that they provide what appears to be nearly the same level of protein as some meat-based foods (meat listed as first ingredient). It is true that there is some protein in grains. The protein, however, is not complete: often doesn’t contain all the amino acids pets require. And, plant based protein is not as digestible as protein from meat.

            In addition to better quality ingredients, many premium foods are also made with added vitamins, minerals and other supplements for the health of your pet. Today’s premium foods incorporate the latest in pet nutrition research to deliver just what your pet needs for a long lifespan and fewer trips to the vet.

            If you’re interested in learning more about pet food and how your pet might benefit from feeding a premium, just ask one of our trained staff. They'll be happy to share their knowledge and experience.