As the variety of manufacturers, colors, & flavors of dog & cat food continue to increase, the opportunities for pet owners to purchase the best possible dog food for their pet’s needs has also increased. These new products will not only keep their dog or cat nourished, but also provide essential vitamins & nutrients formulated for their pet’s specific needs! Purina Veterinary Diets is a prime example! They have formulated a full line of dry & canned food formulas for both dogs & cats that contain essential fatty acids & nutrients, but go futher to include ingredients tested & studied by the FDA to improve the lives of animals with certain health issues, such as poor Kidney Function [NF] or Intestinal [GastroENteric] issues. As a pet owner, your pet counts on you to know which formula to choose. Here are some tips when considering which formula was specifically formulated for your pet's' condition, age, or breed.

Are all pet foods alike?

Commercial pet food manufacturers are quite similar in many ways in order to comply with F.D.A. guidelines that ensure that each formula is healthy & will satisfy the dietary requirements of your pet. These fall under the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) who set the guidelines for each life stage and nutrient need of your pet.

Be aware, however that some for-sale food products do not undergo this treatment and may not be nutritionally complete. Commercial pet foods are all not alike in their ingredient makeup and what they are designed to do. Foods come in a variety of styles and are designated to meet various life stages, breed requirements, energy levels and even size needs! It is very possible to find several foods that are specifically designed just for a large, 80 pound Golden Retriever who is a senior and has arthritis!

Common pet food types:

Grocery Food: Grocery foods are often considered “lower quality” foods found in grocery stores, but are still nutritionally complete. Feeding these foods will not harm your pet, but they may contain ingredients that are considered fillers (low nutrient value) or may be allergenic (causing allergies for your pet). In recent years, the amount of tailoring and nutrient level of grocery foods has actually expanded.

Natural/Holistic Food: Natural or Holistic foods are those that are made with “natural” ingredients. These are ingredients that may be sourced as whole foods (in a holistic diet) or are available in a lesser processed form. While these ingredients may be natural, they can still contain fillers or allergenic ingredients, just in a different form.

Raw/Frozen Food: Raw and frozen foods are becoming a big trend among owners who want to feed a diet that is more consistent with how a pet’s wild ancestors ate. These foods are often unprocessed or minimally processed and contain more than just meat. Raw and frozen diets are often nutritionally balanced with fruits and vegetables and may even contain grains. Fresh raw may have an increased chance of transmitting bacteria, however frozen is usually a safer alternative.

Dehydrated Food: Dehydrated foods are also becoming more popular and are an alternative to raw and frozen food diets. Again, these contain similar ingredients in their whole-food form as raw or frozen meals, but they are often lightly cooked or dehydrated to decrease the chance of spreading bacteria. The food is then rehydrated with water to bring it back to its original whole-ingredient constitution.

Prescription Food: Prescription foods can encompass any type of food product available, but are usually only available via a prescription from your veterinarian. These are designed to address a specific health condition or need for the pet. Prescription diets can have any number of ingredients in them including grains or fillers, and can range from treating weight loss to advanced kidney failure.

Regardless of the choice of food for your pet, this list will help you better understand what all the product terminology being tossed around is. Find a food that makes both you and your pet happy!

With Love,

Mr. Bentley & Ms. Bella

About our Writers

Pet Wish Pros is proud to have Bentley and Bella contributing to our pet health blog. For many years, Bentley has been passionate about improving and learning from the lives and experiences of homeless pets in the greater Atlanta area. Bella is usually busy discovering new pet health products and medications. In her free time, Bella enjoys working on her horse farm. Both Bentley and Bella are devoted to animal health & their experience allows them to keep you informed while saving YOU money! 

Follow Bentley and Bella’s weekly blog updates and stay current with the latest trends in pet health. Please send your questions to  help@petwishpros.com.