Concerns about commercial pet food have
led to the rise of specialty stores focusing
on pet nutrition needs and featuring
natural foods, vitamins, and other supplies.
The commercial pet food industry began
as a way to dispose of food unfit for human
consumption. It is now the largest
consumer of waste products discarded by
the human food industry.
Most people assume that if a pet food
is labeled “100% complete and balanced”
that means it’s nutritious and healthy. “Let
the buyer beware”, that’s often not the
case. Many commercial pet foods contain
everything from road-kill to animal protein
sources that can consist of dead and
diseased, dying and disabled animals, contaminated
with hormones and the drugs
used to treat or kill them. Animal byproducts
can include hooves, horns, hair, feet,
feathers, claws and beaks. Corn, wheat,
and soybean meal—frequently used fillers
in pet food—happen to be the three most
common foods that dogs may be allergic
to. It’s not surprising, therefore, that the
average pet lifespan has decreased by 18%
since 1950 and that many pets today suffer
from allergies, weakened immune systems
and other numerous diseases
So what are pet owners to do to ensure
that their pets are eating a good quality
food? Read the labels—but remember
that ingredients are listed in the descending
order by weight. The first three or
four, which make up the bulk of the food,
should consist of good meat sources and
digestible grain sources, such as brown rice,
oats, or barley. Also, look for good quality
fats, such as chicken fat or flaxseed oil.
Avoid foods with by-products, chemical
additives, flavorings, and preservatives.
Fortunately, there are many nutritious
pet foods available that use only
USDA-approved meats and ingredients
fit for human consumption. There are also
specialty businesses focusing on your pet’s
nutrition, bringing you natural, safe and
highly digestible pet food. In No.VA. some
of these include Pro Feed, Just for Pets,
Paws and Play, and Doggone Natural. One
popular and unique business is Nature’s
Select, which provides free home delivery
of natural, safe pet food at less than super
Pet Store prices.
Randy Stone, a local distributor for Nature’s
Select, says they are able to offer super
premium foods with free delivery because
they bring it to your door straight from the
mill, alleviating the retail stores mark up,
thereby passing on the savings to you.
Although there are natural pet foods
commercially available; labeling laws do
not allow them to state these facts on the
label—so it’s up to the consumer to do the
research. Also, remember that price isn’t a
guarantee of quality either. You can spend
your time reading labels or you can feel
comfortable knowing that the work has
been done for you by purchasing your pets
food from one of the businesses dedicated
to providing your pet with safe, all natural
foods, all of the time.
