Proper nutrition is important for every pet living in Folsom. Unfortunately, many commercial pet foods contain less-than-wholesome ingredients that can cause health problems for cats and dogs. One of the best things you can do to keep your pet healthy is to avoid kibbles and wet foods with these harmful ingredients and invest in a high quality pet food in Folsom CA instead. Here are the ingredients you should avoid in commercial pet food.
Meat By-Products
It’s essential to find a pet food that’s made with a high-quality protein like lamb, salmon or venison. Unfortunately, many commercial foods use meat by-products as a primary protein source. As the name suggests, meat by-products are simply any parts of an animal leftover from the slaughtering process that are unfit for human consumption– things like bones, beaks, feet and organ scraps. Avoid pet foods with meat by-products at all costs; they don’t provide the protein that dogs and cats need to thrive.
Soy and Corn Products
Processed soy and corn products are often used in commercial pet foods as fillers because they’re cheap and readily available. At best, these ingredients will only provide empty calories for your cat or dog. At worst, they can cause allergic reactions or digestive upsets. Ideally, look for foods that feature whole grains like barley, brown rice and oatmeal. These ingredients have legitimate nutritional value for your pet.
Additives and Preservatives
Additives and preservatives are non-nutritious additions to commercial pet foods that may be harmful to your cat or dog in the long run. What are some of the top offenders? BHT and BHA are two you should definitely avoid–they’ve been shown to cause cancer in animals. Also avoid high concentrations of nitrates, artificial dyes and sodium nitrite. Instead, look for foods that are preserved with natural ingredients like Vitamin E.
Corn Syrup and Sweeteners
Much like in human food, corn syrup in pet food has been linked to an increased risk of obesity in cats and dogs. Also be wary of molasses or sugar that’s added to pet foods. These sweet additions are often used to make an inferior-tasting product more enticing to your pet. They improve flavor and moistness but aren’t healthy for cats and dogs.
Your pet will enjoy better long-term health if you avoid these common pet food ingredients. Focus on buying a high-quality Pet food in Folsom CA from a reputable dealer who specializes in pet feed.