Pet Supplies Basics

Pet Food: The Most Basic of Pet Supplies

When we talk about pet supplies, one of the first things that jumps into our minds is pet food. What we buy for our pets to eat constitutes a major part of our pet supplies related spending, and has a direct and profound impact on the health and happiness of our furry friends. But how much do we really know about the pet supplies we are buying? Pet food has become a major consumer industry, and major companies can’t help but get in on the act. Del Monte, Nestle, Colgate-Palmolive, Procter and Gamble, and Masterfoods have all expanded their industry to include pet supplies, specifically pet food.

It is very important when pet food to examine the labels and understand the common terminology associated with pet supplies. Government regulations dictate how pet supplies can be referred to. If the label says 100%, then there must be no more than 1 ingredient contained in the pet food (not including water). 95% applies if more than that percentage of the pet food is made up of animal products such as fish, chicken, or beef. When the word “dinner” is used, it indicates that no less than 25% of the pet food is constituted by meat products.

One of the largest “bones” of contention (no pun intended) currently in discussion among food scientists in the pet supplies industry regards exactly how much meat is healthy for an animal to consume (in balance with other dietary requirements). This matter is further complicated by the differences in nutrition and pet supplies required by puppies, kittens, adult cats, and adult dogs. There are also significant differences in the pet supplies required between breeds of dogs. For example, a german shepherd obviously had a very different set of nutritive needs than a beagle or a chi Wawa. There is no overwhelming consensus, and therefore a wide range of products can be found in the pet supplies industry. Recently (possibly coupling with the changing dietary habits of their owners) there has been a dramatic surge in grain and vegetable protein based foods. Prevailing wisdom dictates, though, that the majority of a carnivorous (cat or dog) diet should be constituted from animal proteins (not vegetable proteins), but that a significant portion should be dedicated to a grain base which provides other necessary nutrients.

There is a rising movement among pet owners to completely spurn the pet supplies big-wigs and feed their pet unprocessed, uncooked meats and grains. While this practice is in part based on sound principle, many other pet related issues are raised in the process, such as concerns about bacteria, and how carefully potentially uneducated owners can balance the diets of their pets. Thanks for reading, and please keep reading my pet supplies blog!