5 Things to Know About Pet Food

Americans love their pets. In fact, it is estimated that, across the country, we have some 70 million dogs and 86 million cats. That pet population supports a massive pet food industry. However, most people don’t give a lot of thought to the pet food they buy, often making purchases based on advertising or price. The consequences of doing this can be dire for pets. The more one knows about pet food, the better off they will be in helping to keep their animals healthy.

“People love their pets, yet they don’t realize that they are often feeding them junk food,” explains Will Post, president of Hound & Gatos Pet Food Corporation. “They often don’t realize what is in the food and, when they do find out, they are surprised and make the switch. Feeding pets healthy food that is closer to their true nature is going to help them live longer, happier lives.”

There are numerous problems with the pet food industry, including that liver is not being properly labeled so that buyers know which source it originates from. Therefore, pets that may be allergic to chicken or beef may end up getting it in their food without their owners knowledge. There are many things to know about pet food, beyond the colorful packages and flashy advertisements. Here are 5 things to know about pet food:

1. FDA Regulated. The pet food industry is regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which is the same government body that watches over the human food supply in the country. As such, pet foods must follow FDA preparation guidelines to help keep them safe for pet consumption.

2. Lots of recalls. Even though the FDA regulates the industry, plenty of recalls still occur. News headlines from time to time warn of pet food that has made it to the shelves that may be potentially harmful if consumed, potentially causing illness or even death. One big issue that may lead to a pet food recall is the threat of salmonella.

3. Big industry. The pet food industry is a massive industry, with Americans spending over $21 billion annually to buy food for their pets, according to the American Pet Products Association. Walk the aisle of any grocery or pet store and it is easy to see that there are many choices available to the consumer.

4. Beware of ingredients. Many pet food brands put out food that is filled with ingredients that people should steer clear of because they can cause digestive and health problems for their pets. These include things like meat by-products, corn, soy, rendered animal fats, wheat, sugar, and artificial anything. These are ingredients that cats and dogs would not eat, in nature, and they will prevent pets from thriving.

5. There is something better. Everyone with a pet should become a label reader, avoiding those foods that include the above-listed ingredients. They should opt for foods that contain high-quality sources of protein for optimal health. 

“Feeding your pet better, higher-quality foods, will help them thrive,” added Post. “They will look healthier, feel better, and will most likely live longer. We don’t want to nourish our bodies with junk, so we don’t want to do that to our pets, either. It’s always better to give them something closer to what they would eat out in nature, which is high-quality meat.”

Hound & Gatos Pet Food Corporation specializes in providing consumers with high-quality pet food options. Dubbed as the original Paleolithic pet food company, their recipes are 100 percent protein and zero percent plant protein, with the number-one ingredient being meat. They only use top ingredients, providing pets with pure nutrition, and avoiding all by-products, fillers, and artificial ingredients. Hound & Gatos Pet Foods have also been helpful for those pets suffering from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). To learn more about Hound & Gatos, visit their site at: www.houndgatos.com. Cutter's Mill Pet Store in Princeton and Cherry Hill, NJ currently carry the products.