When choosing a diet for your pet, it is vital to consider the ingredients that are best for their health. Here is a list of the main ingredients to look for: fats, lipids, and carbohydrates. Fats are high in energy and can be found in many forms, such as oil and fish. However, some fats can be derived from plants. Vitamins and minerals are important for healthy skin and bones. Iron is necessary for healthy blood and is readily available in animal sources.
Insect-based pet food
There are a number of concerns associated with insect-based food. Insects are often produced outside of controlled conditions, making them a possible source of toxins, bacteria, allergens, and anti-nutrients. Nevertheless, some studies have shown that the contaminants are not as dangerous as they seem, and are within the range of those found in other meats. Insect-based foods are still in the experimental phase, and much research needs to be done to establish their safety and benefits.
Corn
There have been some negative claims about corn in pet foods, such as the fact that it can cause gastrointestinal problems and allergies. However, research on corn in pet food has found that corn is a very valuable ingredient in a pet food diet. Corn is easily digested by dogs and provides important nutrients. While corn is a common ingredient in most pet foods, some pet owners choose to feed their dogs a Paleo diet.
Soy
If your pet is eating soy-based pet foods, you may be wondering how this affects your furry friend’s health. There are several reasons why soy is not healthy for pets. Too much soy intake can cause an imbalance in hormones and lead to cancer. Soy-based pet food can also cause stomach problems and ear infections in your dog. The same ingredients may also cause hair loss in your pet. If you notice any of these symptoms, you should stop feeding soy to your pet immediately.
By-products
Humans don’t usually consume by-products of animal production, but pet food manufacturers do. These rejected parts of the animal can provide a great source of nutrition for pets. In fact, animal by-products are often considered delicacies in many cultures. For example, Scottish haggis, a traditional Scottish stew, is made from intestine and organ meats. Chicken wings, sausages, and even organ meat are considered meat by-products.
Pyrophosphate
Sodium Acid Pyrophosphate is a chemical compound that is commonly found in dry cat food. This chemical helps the food taste better, but it is also linked to cardiovascular disease, dehydration, and organ damage. Instead of choosing a cat food that is free of SAP, opt for a natural one. The benefits of natural pet food are obvious. It is more nutritious than commercially produced brands.
Environmental impact of pet food
The environmental impact of pet food is becoming a hot topic in consumer circles. The production of animal feed consumes massive amounts of water. And while meats are one of the highest water-consumption items, cheese, milk, fish and tomatoes are not far behind. And pet food is a major contributor to the carbon footprint of dogs and cats. So how does this impact the health of pets? The food industry’s climate-related policies are likely to change our expectations in the coming years.
