WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN A SUPER PREMIUM DOG FOOD
June 20, 2013 • Health & Wellness
FIDO’s friends at Spring Naturals shared these great tips to decipher and demystify all that nutritional label information !
MITCHELL, S.D. (June 19, 2013) – If you are searching for the perfect premium canned or dry food to feed your dog, you know how frustrating the package reading process can be. How do you make sense out of confusing ingredient statements and nutritional claims? Here are some rules of thumb that can help:
1. Just like people, pets’ nutritional needs aren’t always the same. Monitor your dog’s general condition and temperament and take note of any variations in her daily routine. Perhaps her behavior has changed recently because she’s sick or stressed, or she’s becoming more prone to digestive upsets. Be sure to bring these symptoms to your veterinarian’s attention and find out if a change in diet could alleviate them. Then, if you decide to make the switch to a different brand, mix the new food in gradually larger proportions to your dog’s current diet over the first six to seven days.
2. Make sure the first ingredient is meat. Red meat, poultry and fish are packed with an abundance of protein which dogs require daily to thrive. When reviewing ingredients, it’s important to know that the way ingredients are listed directly correlates to how much is included in the recipe. So make sure meat and other healthy ingredients are listed at the top. Real meat is always the #1 ingredient in Spring Naturals Dinners. Their recipes contain more real meat because their formula has up to double the meat inclusion when compared to the industry standard.
3. Be wary of certain grains. Does your dog have a dull coat, itchy paws or chronic digestive issues? Some of these problems could be caused by food allergies. Dogs can be sensitive to grains commonly found in pet foods, such as wheat, gluten, corn or soy. Spring Naturals canned and dry dinners don’t contain a trace of these ingredients. The brand’s whole grain dinners are made with quinoa, technically a pseudo-grain. Every recipe is also available in a grain-free variety.
4. Know where the product is made and sourced. A product’s country of origin matters, because there are many parts of the world where food safety and quality control aren’t as rigorous as they are in the United States. So scan the label for evidence that the ingredients have been reliably sourced and that the food has been produced in a trustworthy facility. Pet parents who read food and treat packages will find it reassuring to know that every Spring Naturals product is made in USDA-inspected facility right here in the USA. No ingredients are sourced from China, every ingredient is sourced domestically.
5. Keep it natural and balanced. Review the package for evidence that the product doesn’t contain any artificial preservatives, flavors or colors. Also look for a clear statement explaining why this product is a sensible choice for your pet. Spring Naturals recipes are based on the company’s “Whole Food Nutrition” philosophy that a balanced blend of real meat, poultry or fish combined with whole vegetables, whole fruits and wholesome grains is a more balanced and better way to nurture your pet.
6. Steer clear of high glycemic ingredients. Many pet food companies use meat, poultry or fish meals as the primary protein source. So they need to add ingredients to bind the dry kibble together, such as wheat, soy, tapioca, white rice, brown rice or potato starch. These products tend to be high in simple carbohydrates and starches, which can be unhealthy for your pet because the higher the carbs, the higher the glycemic index. Foods with high glycemic index ingredients can cause a sharp spike in blood glucose levels. In contrast, the real meat, chickpeas and eggs in Spring Naturals dry dinners act as binding agents without the need for any high glycemic ingredients.
By comparing nutritional information with these pointers in mind, you’ll be well on your way to selecting the optimal diet to help your pet lead a happier, healthier life. To learn more about Spring Naturals products, visit www.springnaturals.com . Fans of Spring Naturals can also follow the brand at www.facebook.com/springnaturals or on Twitter @springnaturals.
