How to choose a right pet food for your pet

There are simply 3 simple measures in selecting a suitable brand for your pet. First, visualise the demands of your pet by discovering his/her lifestage. Second, see if the packaging carries AFFCO nutrition adequacy statement. Third, learn if the packaging carries out AFFCO feeding tests.

STEP 1 First see the demands of your pet:

a) Breed - Small breeds compared to larger breeds need higher protein levels to sustain their higher vitality needs b) Size - Lower calories for overweight dogs/cats and more calories for underweight dogs/cats (See body condition system chart to attain ideal body condition) c) Energy Levels - Active (Exercises a lot) dogs/cats need higher protein levels to keep their higher energy needs as compared to less active dogs/cats. d) Age-Puppies/kittens need higher protein levels as they are still growing as compared to big dogs e) Special needs: Allergies and health troubles Learn the ingredient list to avoid formulas that carries components your pet is vulnerable to. Pick Out a suitable formula that can help your pet if it has any health problems. Example: PRO PLAN cat urinary tract formula is produced with lower PH and magnesium levels to help in promoting urinary tract health

After understanding the demands of your pet by answering the questions above, you will then need to determine which brand is best suited for your pet, assuming many different brands appear to suit your pets needs. As you likely know it is very tough to decide which pet food is the best considering the number of brands that are flooding the market. There are so many impressive claims that different brands are making but which brands really can be believed?

STEP 2 One simple way is to check on the packaging of the pet food if it carries the AAFCO nutrition adequacy statement . AAFCO stands for Association of American Feed Control Officials. It is the single pet food regulatory body in the world at this point in time.

a) Determines that the pet food has complete and balanced nutrition b) Determines which life stage it is suitable for Development (puppy) Gestation (pregnant) Maintenance (adult) all life stages c) It offers a written nutrient guidelines (minimum/maximum) based on present knowledge. d) A written profile doesn't ensure an animal will get adequate amounts of nutrients due to certain variables

Factors not reported for by AAFCO nutrient profiles

a) Possible for lower digestibility b) Potential losses during processing and storage c) Possible for changing ingredient effects d) Deficiency of nutrients not recognized as essential.

STEP 3 The next step to take is to determine if the packaging suggests that it carries out AAFCO feeding trials. Only a few brands in Malaysia and PRO PLAN is one of them that actually conduct feeding tests. AAFCO feeding trials are conducted by testing the pet food by feeding them to real pets while AAFCO nutritional profiles are achieved by only implementing a lab test. Feeding trials are a much more trusty way to assure the nutritional completeness of a pet food and demonstrate the calls it makes.

Benefits of AAFCO animal feeding tests Better at evaluating palatability/acceptablity by dogs Better able to evaluate digestibility of nutrients Able to evaluate performance of food

Short-change of AAFCO animal feeding tests Some judgements are subjective and trial length is short relative to life span; detrimental signs of deficiency could be overlooked. (PRO PLAN is the single brand that has done a 14 year life span study on Labradors that proves that PRO PLAN can carry adequate nutrition for life)

Advantages of having AAFCO authorized nutrient profiles Sample lab analysis easily confirms compliance Lacks or excess nutrients versus profile easily known and corrected

Short-change of AAFCO approved nutrient profiles Deficiencies or extra vs real animal needs not easily established and corrected Can't account for digestibleness or other elements

So remember when selecting a trustworthy brand that demands are established, look out for the words "Animal Feeding Tests" on the packaging. PRO PLAN is one brand that has this and is the only brand that has done a 14 year life span study on Labradors that proves that PRO PLAN can deliver sufficient nutrition for life!

Get more information on Caring For Your Dog at http://www.purina.com.my/DogCare/

-->