If you want to be assured that your pet's food is up to scrathc, ask manufacturers these 10 questions. The answers will help you determine if the pet food company is being honesty and transparent. These questions are approved by the
American Animal Hospital Association.
Q1 - Is there a vet nutritionist in your company?
A veterinary nutritionist is the one individual who will have the necessary training and expertise to determine the pet food formulation. They are the ones with the strong background in the profession of food development. They also possess enough knowledge about the difference in nutritional requirements of different species.
Q2 - Is the nutritionist available to consult?
Consultation availability, offers a chance to have answers for further inquiries even if over e-mail. In fact, experts’ advice about diets should be sought once in a while. They are extremely valuable especially those of the veterinary nutritionist.
Q3 - Who formulates the diets, and how professional are they?
This is a very good question to ask. It is crucially vital for a pet food company to have a vet nutritionist, whether as part of the team or as a consultant.
Q4 – Which feeding trials were conducted and what went through nutrient analysis?
Pets' food is tested via two methods; AAFCO feeding trials (Association of American Feed Control Officials), or nutrient analysis. While the AAFCO trials are the gold standards, the most common is nutrient analysis, which involves the analysis of diet ingredients and requires comparison against the AAFCO profiles. Although the diet may look pretty good on paper, but not palatable when feeding dogs or cats.
The manufacturer’s choice to perform feeding trials reflects its commitment to produce standard satisfactory food. Despite that fact, many companies choose not to perform feeding trials because it is the most expensive method to test food. However, you can simply check the label of your pet food to know if the manufacturing company does feeding trials or not.
Q5 - What quality control and quality assurance certificates you work under?
A pet food manufacturer should outline the quality control measures of its procedures to provide a quality proof when asked. Standardization of procedures should be set up, in addition to separating cooked products from raw ingredients to inhibit cross-contamination. It is also important to have rigorous and careful control of ingredients to prevent allergen or pathogen contamination. Moreover, companies that put safety in priority, test the food for contaminants throughout the manufacturing process and await results before the release of the final product.
Q6 - Where are you producing your diets?
If we should emphasize only one point, it will be this one. Many products are co-manufactured; these are less controlled and more prone to contamination due to over handling with third party plants.
Q7 – Can I visit you?
Well, this will always be an eye-opening experience. If there is a manufacturer nearby, it's worth a visit. This is another way to ask some pet food companies for transparency.
Q8 - Can I get a complete nutrient analysis of your top selling cat food and dog food?
This is a question that will get you more information which is not included on the label. If the manufacturer does not have a satisfying answer, it is better to look for other diets.
Q9 – What are the caloric values of your products per can or cup?
A basic question and it is fair to get a clear answer for it. If it is not declared on the label, simply call for it. If you did not get this information, look for diets elsewhere.
Q10 – Do you have any published research conducted on your diets?
Do not be surprised if you do not find any, it is a bonus, especially when it comes to therapeutic and stage diets.
Share this with friends and family so they can take care of their own or when they decide to get your 4-legged friend a gift!
