Animal nutrition plays an important role in the well being of our pets. Making certain the right food nutrients are given at the correct levels is one of the most important factors in keeping pets healthy and reducing any potential long term, health damage. After all, it has been long known and understood with humans and with animals "you are what you eat!"

So how can consumers identify that they are feeding the right food, and that their pets are receiving a well-balanced nutritious diet?
Well, here are a few factors you should consider to make your decision easier.

1. Your Pets Lifestage

   As with humans, pets require a different balance of nutrients at different stages of their lives. For example, during the first twelve months of a puppy or kittens life, special nutritional requirements are needed to support proper growth and development. This usually means higher levels of protein, fat, energy and minerals in their diet than an adult (1-6 years of age ) or a senior pet (over 7 years of age) would require.
   So it is important that you identify the correct food to feed your pet depending on their age and hence their nutritional requirements. Otherwise you may be feeding potentially harmful nutrient excesses

2. Understand the Pet Food Label

   Lets face it – a lot of product labels are confusing and pet food labels are no exception. But here are a few things to think about.

   1. Guaranteed Analysis – this will tell you the maximum and minimum amounts of some nutrients contained within the product. It DOES NOT tell you what the food actually contains. For example if the calcium level is 1% Min, then the actual level could be 2%, 3% or 4%! To find out what the ideal levels of nutrients are, contact your veterinarian.
   2. Typical Analysis – this is a more accurate measure as it shows a reasonable expression of nutrient levels to be found in the food, although they may be subject to minor variations
   3. AAFCO Testing – Check the label to determine whether the product has been AAFCO tested. AAFCO is the international pet food standard that provides guidelines to manufacturers of minimum and maximum nutrient requirements.
      There are 2 types of AAFCO trials. The first and most basic are meeting AAFCO standards. This means the food has met a minimum AAFCO standard under laboratory testing.
      The second AAFCO trial offered is a very demanding feeding trial. This involves feeding products to pets for a specified period of time under veterinary supervision and examination to ensure the pets remain healthy. By choosing a food that has undergone an AAFCO feeding trial you will be choosing a food that has been thoroughly tested to the highest international standards.
3. "Humanising" Pets

   Pets are often considered part of the family and as such we tend to ‘anthromorphise’ our pets; that is place human characteristics upon them. However, canines and felines are obviously not human and are more similar to their wild counterparts. Dogs and cats eat to get energy and the energy they get is derived from the nutrients in the food they eat. We like to think that by feeding our pets a food that sounds tempting to us and looks and smells similar to our own, that it should be the best for them. We only need to observe some of our pet’s behaviour in raiding dustbins or eating faeces to realise that their tastes are not the same as ours! So it’s important to choose food that is best for your pet based on their nutritional requirements rather than ours.

4. Ingredients

   Ingredient lists can be misleading. In Australia, ingredients are listed in order of weight ie the first ingredients on the list are the heaviest. This can be manipulated by using ingredients that contain high amounts of water such as fresh chicken as opposed to products with little water such as chicken meal.

   Ingredients can also be split to appear to be a smaller part of the formulation. For example instead of listing wheat, a manufacturer may break wheat down into whole wheat, ground wheat and wheat flour – this may allow for other ingredients to be elevated up the list as more dominant ingredients.

   Manufacturers cannot include quality statements of their ingredients. As such, the consumer has no way of determining whether an ingredient used is of high "A" grade quality or low "C" grade quality.

   So, although important, ingredient lists can be confusing and misleading. Always purchase food from a reputable company that utilises premium ingredients or seek advice from your vet.

5. Seek a Guarantee

   Companies that offer 100% money back guarantees stand behind their product. They are prepared to refund your money should you or your pet not be happy with the product. A toll-free telephone number also shows the company welcomes your questions and can readily supply you with product information.

6. Price

   Always compare the cost of day feeding rather than the cost per bag/ can. Some products such as premium foods are complete, balanced and concentrated, requiring less food to be fed per day than some other fresh or supermarket brands.

   Be aware that with pet foods, you usually get what you pay for. A compromise on price may be a compromise in nutrition.

Still confused?

Contact your local veterinarian. They will be able to advise you of the best food for your pet and the nutritional requirements necessary to keep them healthy for a long life.

Alternatively, contact the Hill’s Helpline on 1800 800 733. Hill’s are the makers of Hill’s* Science Diet* a complete, balanced food for dogs and cats. Hill’s have over 50 years experience in the research and manufacture of dog and cat foods. They are happy to advise on the right food for your pet and answer any questions you may have about pet nutrition.

*Trademarks owned or used under license by Hill’s Pet nutrition Inc.