Are you feeding your dog the best food for their health?

Are you feeding your dog the best food for their health?
There are so many options when it comes to choosing a diet for your pet.

We decided to speak to the founders of premium dog food subscription service Fetched for their advice when purchasing dog food.

“The transformation that the pet food industry has undergone in recent years has been remarkable. Fancy packaging and the jargon use alone can be difficulty to decipher, before even taking into consideration the opinions of every man and his dog (pun intended)!” says Nigel Sandeman, Co-founder of Fetched.

“Under the guidance of leading animal nutritionists and dog food formulators to refine our own offering, we have come to understand that while there will be instances where a dog’s nutritional requirements will need to be assessed on a case-by-case basis, there are some key considerations that can largely be applied to all dogs,” he added.

Here the Co-Founders of Fetched share what to look out for when purchasing dog food:

1. Order of ingredients
“Food manufacturers are required to list their ingredients in order of predominance, so I encourage shoppers to take note of the order the ingredients are listed in,” says Carl, Co- founder of Fetched. “Kibble should contain meats such as Kangaroo or Lamb in the greatest amounts, followed by legumes and vegetables. Be cautious if you see starch, flour, by-products or artificial colours in the first five ingredients as it is likely that this kibble is missing the premium nutritional value your dog deserves required by dogs for optimal health,” he adds.

2. Does is contain gluten?
“Alike humans, not all dogs agree with incorporating gluten into their diet. Gluten is found in grains like wheat, barley, and oats causing some dogs to develop allergies and suffer from
digestive distress,” explains Nigel “If you notice your dog to be suffering from stinky ears, chronic ear infections, itching or hot spots it is possible they may be suffering from gluten sensitivity or allergies. If you’re wanting to play it safe, opt for a premium grain-free kibble formulation like Fetched” he suggests.

3. The size of the bag
Carl says “When it comes to dog food, bigger is not always better. Aside from larger bags often being cheaper per kilogram to their small counterparts, there really are no additional benefits.
The longer a bag of kibble sits open, the greater the exposure to air, humidity & infestation which can reduce the palatability and nutrients. Pre-pawtioned smaller bags like Fetched are great as they ensure that the kibble is free from oxidation and that every feed is fresh.”

4. Meat specification
“Marketers have become clever with the way that they list meats as part of the ingredients in dog food and it can be tricky for consumers to pick up on,” says Nigel. “Typically, you want to
have meats listed exactly as they are – beef, chicken, lamb etc. If you want to ensure that you are feeding your dog premium quality dog food, avoid the use of any meat that contains the word by-product in its name or fails to identify the specific source of animal,” he added.

5. Buzzwords
“Another thing to be cautious of when purchasing dog food is the use of buzzwords,” says Carl. “Often used to lure people into, words like ‘artisanal’ and ‘gourmet’ might sound appealing but
customers need to be cautious of their application and that they are looking beyond the jargon on their pet food.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE

Print Recipe

BECOME A MiNDFOOD SUBSCRIBER TODAY

Let us keep you up to date with our weekly MiNDFOOD e-newsletters which include the weekly menu plan, health and news updates or tempt your taste buds with the MiNDFOOD Daily Recipe. 

Member Login