Piedmont Small Animal and their team of veterinarians cares about the nutrition and well-being of your dogs and cats. Looking for information about pet food? You are not alone! We all worry about providing the best diets for our pets. There are a lot of options and nutritional fads tend to jump ahead of science-based nutrition. Here we provide consensus-based recommendations and information sources.
General Information
The World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) has published recommendations on selecting the best diet for pets. Key components of the WSAVA recommendations include:
- The pet food label’s nutritional adequacy statement provides important factual information. This statement confirms three important facts:
- Whether the diet is nutritionally complete and balanced according to the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) Model Bill and Regulations.
- If the food is complete and balanced, for what life stage is it intended?
- If the food is complete and balanced, did the company determine this by formulation (either analysis or calculation) or by feeding trials?
- A nutritional adequacy statement is required on every pet food label in the United States.
- The other most important information needed to make an informed decision about pet food is not on the label and must be obtained from the manufacturer. Important facts that can help select a pet’s food include:
- Does the manufacturer employ a full-time qualified nutritionist (e.g., a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Nutrition or European College of Veterinary Comparative Nutrition, or a Ph.D. in animal nutrition)?
- Does a qualified nutritionist formulate the diets?
- Where are the foods manufactured?
- What specific quality control measures are used to assure the quality of ingredients, consistency, and nutritional value of the end product?
- Can the manufacturer provide information on any requested nutrient or the caloric value for the pet food in question?
- Has product research been conducted?
Some special considerations for feeding cats:
Please explore the American Association for Feline Practitioners consensus statement to discover the natural feeding behavior of cats at Cat Nutrition
For controlled feeding of special or prescription diets in a multi pet household try the Sure Pet Feeder
To train your cat to accept pills, start now by offering a soft treat twice a day. Create a habit of gobbling a treat that can hide a pill!
GENERAL INFORMATION
- FDA Recalls and Withdrawals
- Pet Nutrition Alliance
- American College of Veterinary Nutrition
- Pet Foodology
- WSAVA Guidelines
Call Piedmont Small Animal today at (540) 364-4954 to schedule an appointment, or complete our Contact form.
