As wonderful as pets are, they’re also pretty expensive. Acorns reports that pet owners spent $36.9 billion to feed their pets in 2019, nearly double what they spent in 2009. Veterinary care, the second biggest annual expense, costs owners an average of $29.3 billion. While humans are closer than ever with their pets and want them to have proper care, it’s important to feed them well. Here are six things to look for in better quality pet food.

I get it. It’s tempting to choose more economical pet food when money may be tight. While this might seem OK in the short term, it could affect your dog’s health, nutrition and cost you more in vet bills.

My vet and I had this chat recently at my dogs’ annual exam as he pointed out that sugar and fillers are likely to be a top ingredient in cheaper brands. In turn, my economical buying habits were inadvertently affecting my dogs’ health, which could have cost me more money and sacrificed the longevity of my pets’ health and life span.

As the saying goes, you get what you pay for. There’s a reason some dog food is less expensive than others. Cheap dog food is loaded with fillers, whereas quality dog foods provide your pet with more whole food ingredients such as chicken, beef, or fish. Poor dog nutrition may lead to a compromised immune system, hair loss, thinning coat, and decreased skin health.

Without proper nutrients, your dog may suffer malnutrition, leading to disease and sickness. Low-priced dog food may have your dog wanting to eat more food to feel satisfied. When they eat more, it defeats the purpose of saving money because they’ll consume cheap dog food more quickly and may gain weight. According to the Association of Pet Obesity Prevention, in the US, 56 percent of dogs and 60 percent of cats are overweight or obese.

Six things to look for in better quality food

1.  Meat

Dogs are carnivores, so look for some type of meat as the first ingredient. It’s one of the most important components. Scope out quality nutrition-packed dog food that contains high levels of meat, vegetables, and whole grain. This will maintain your dog’s strong immune system, healthy and vibrant coat, and strong teeth.

2. Organ Meat

Organ meats are full of vitamins and nutrients. Feeding a pet organ meats is similar to what its ancestors would eat in the wild. Organ meats are actual organs such as kidneys, heart, liver, and poultry gizzard.

3.  Carbohydrates

We all need carbs. Whether a working dog or not, carbohydrates provide energy and are part of a balanced diet. Better quality carbs are in the form of vegetables, fruit and rice. Other pet carbohydrate foods include pumpkin, carrots, kale, squash, and berries. Lower quality carbs can be used such as soy, corn, and wheat. (Some dogs may be sensitive to the latter group.) In the wild, dogs wouldn’t seek out corn and soy, which are starchy foods and turn to sugar. Avoid them if the first ingredients are grains such as ground corn, corn, gluten, soybean meal, or wheat.

4.  Healthy Fats

We don’t need to go down the fat-free aisle for our pets. Healthy fats are essential for human and dog diets to help with proper cell function and brain activity, and they also help your dog’s coat shine. You can even sprinkle or pour a little of these fatty oils on top of your dog’s food. Try coconut oil, fish oil, sunflower oil, flaxseed oil, or olive oil. By adding these oils, your pet gets omega-3s. By adding meat, they get their omega-6 fatty acids.

5.  Electrolytes

This can be lower on the food ingredient list, but electrolytes do help organ function and muscles. If off-balance, a dog could suffer kidney or organ failure. Pumpkin is high in potassium, which helps replenish electrolytes. A little sodium is good, too.

6. Vitamins

Good dog food should contain vitamins. The main ones are vitamin A, B, D, E, and K. They shouldn’t need a supplement unless your vet recommends one.

There are so many dog food options to choose from. For only a few dollars more short term, you just may save hundreds in combating ailments. Have fun selecting what’s best for your budget and your pet.

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