| Dog owners are concerned about making sure their | | | | States, many of the guidelines for petfood |
| pets get the healthiest options available when it | | | | manufacturers are voluntary when it comes to |
| comes to dog food. Owners spend time and effort | | | | additives and ingredients sourcing. There is expert |
| reading up on the optimum nutritional values in dog | | | | veterinary research suggesting that pet food is |
| food and the alternatives. But few ever question the | | | | actively contributing to the failing health of pets |
| standards set by authorities who regulate the quality | | | | because of the inadequate standards and the |
| of dog food available in the market. How do we | | | | permitted inclusion of additives. |
| know that the ingredients listed in pet foods have | | | | What can you do to make sure that you are feeding |
| been checked and verified for safety? Can pet | | | | your dog a healthy diet that will keep him healthy, fit |
| owners be certain that manufacturers do not | | | | and energetic throughout his life? |
| misrepresent their products or make false claims? | | | | Your first port of call is the label. Check the list of |
| Pet food is a heavily regulated product and as such is | | | | ingredients and see which constituents are listed in |
| covered by legislation throughout the United States, | | | | the first five. If the dominant ingredient is cereal, |
| Canada, and throughout Europe as well. In the | | | | chances are, the dog food you are considering is |
| States, pet food manufacturers are regulated by the | | | | mostly made of ground cereals. And sad to say, |
| Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. The | | | | ground cereal does not fulfil most of the nutritional |
| Association of American Feed Control Officials | | | | requirements that a healthy dog needs. Also take |
| (AAFCO), who are advised by the Food and Drug | | | | note of the other chemicals that are added in the |
| Administration's Center for Veterinary Medicine | | | | dog food and do some investigations as to the |
| (CVM), monitor the ingredient ratios and | | | | purpose and effects of these chemicals. |
| manufacturing standards for pet food ingredients. | | | | Another possible avenue is to read up on the |
| Unfortunately, as there is no stringent legislation the | | | | research and development of particular dog foods |
| States which demands a basic benchmark of | | | | you're considering for your pet. Bear in mind if other |
| nutritional balance, there are less scrupulous | | | | animals were used development of their products, |
| manufacturers who add chemicals to their brands | | | | and the purpose for utilising animals in their research. |
| which have been proven to contribute to the early | | | | Make enquiries into the specific tests conducted to |
| degeneration of an animal's health. Advertising is also | | | | ensure that the finished product is safe for your |
| suspect as times, as some manufacturers make false | | | | pet's consumption and to ensure that your pet will |
| claims by stating that a brand is suitable for senior | | | | enjoy the food as well. |
| animals when in fact it is manufactured for the | | | | Once you have gathered adequate information, take |
| general consumption of adult animals. | | | | time to consult your vet about the options available |
| In the UK and many European countries, the | | | | for ensuring that your dog stays healthy and active |
| regulatory body is the European Pet Food Industry | | | | for as many years as possible. What you feed your |
| Federation (FEDIAF). They lay down guidelines for | | | | dog is ultimately your choice, but bear in mind that |
| the manufacture, labelling and advertising for pet | | | | the choices you make have a direct bearing on his |
| foods and demand high standards for ingredient | | | | current and future health. |
| ratios and manufacture, but similar to the case in the | | | | |