Yes, there is a difference!
A healthy pet starts with their diet. If you’ve ever heard the expression “You are what you eat,” this applies to our pets, too. High-quality food can help reduce allergies, shedding, improve digestion, and enhance overall health. When reading an ingredient label, meat should always be the first ingredient listed. Ingredients such as corn, wheat, soy, and by-products are considered “unnecessary fillers” because they are a cheap way of adding more to the kibble and contribute to your pet’s poor health. The first ingredients you see make up the majority of the bag, and any ingredient that comes after Salt is less than 1% of the food. So, for ingredients like fruits and veggies, you always want to see them listed before the salt.
If your pet is experiencing things like chronic GI issues, poor skin & coat health, stiff joints, etc., chances are just by switching to a high-quality food, you will start to see an improvement. A high-quality diet can look a lot of different ways, which can be easily tailored to what fits you AND your pet’s needs. Feeding high-quality food is so worth it because you end up feeding less and seeing more benefits. I could go on and on about the different brands and even prescription diets and how much of an impact the low-quality ingredients WILL make on your pet’s health. Let’s start with why the unnecessary fillers are so unappealing…
If you want to switch but also want to stay at a good price point, check out Get More For Less. I compared some popular low-quality brands with some high-quality ones that had similar price ranges!
Corn
Corn is a very common vegetable in the human world; however, in the pet world, it’s considered a grain due to the way it’s processed. It converts an unnecessary amount of sugar in the body, which puts stress on the organs, upsets the GI tract, and leads to inflammation.
Wheat/Gluten
Wheat and gluten go hand in hand. While some grains can be beneficial for some pets, this is not one you want to see in the ingredient list. High amounts of wheat/gluten can damage the small intestine, alter gut flora, can even lead to autoimmune diseases, and increase inflammation.
Soy
Soy is one of the most genetically modified crops. The crop is covered in pesticides, and then everything dies except for the soy. The soy absorbs all of those chemicals. It can alter the endocrine system (aka their hormones), which can lead to thyroid issues, Cushing’s, etc, to occur.
By-products
By-products are classified as any part of the animal that has been deemed unfit for human consumption. This can look like a handful of organs (which are beneficial when done correctly), but it most commonly looks like horns, feathers, hooves, ETC. AAFCO (the pet food regulators) does not require the brands to specify what by-products are in the ingredients. We can assume that this means there is no measurable amount of meat being added. While some by-products can hold nutritional value, they are much less desirable due to their lower quality.
Dyes/Artificial coloring
You don’t want to see any coloring being added to anything you give your pet. Red dye and caramel coloring are often used to make the kibble look more appealing; however, they should never be present in your pet’s food OR treats. It holds zero nutritional value and has a range of side effects like increased inflammation, hyperactivity, vomiting, and even cancer.
BHA, BHT, Ethoxyquin
You should also be on the lookout for synthetic preservatives. These are extremely harmful to your pet’s health, but are popularly used in lower-quality brands. The most common side effects can include blood clots and tumor growths. These are also commonly used in things like jet fuel, pesticides, and even embalming fluids.
Now let’s talk about the good stuff!
Chicken Meal
I used chicken as an example, but this applies to ALL proteins. Chicken meal is meat that has had the moisture removed and has been ground or reduced in size. Ingredients are listed by weight, so having a meal listed as one of the first few ingredients means your pet is getting the correct amount of protein.
Chicken (or any other protein)
Again, this applies to all proteins. When only the meat name is listed (like chicken, beef, etc.), it refers to a clean combination of flesh and skin, taken with or without the bone, from the whole carcass. Seeing just the meat means that the moisture has not been removed yet. When moisture is removed from the kibble, up to 75% of the protein content is lost.
Good grains
Good grains such as millet, barley, oatmeal, and even quinoa are all high-quality grains you want to include. These grains are a good source of fiber, have a low glycemic index (GI), and provide many vitamins and minerals that support overall health.
Fruits & Veggies
There are certain fruits & veggies that you should avoid giving to your pet, such as onions, grapes, and various non-digestible parts of the fruit/veggie. However, just like for humans, both have a wide range of benefits!
Oils (Coconut, Salmon, etc)
Seeing added oils like coconut and salmon is a good thing. Both coconut and salmon are packed FULL of omegas and fatty acids, which can help improve skin and coat health, reduce irritations, and aid digestion.
Mixed Tocopherols
Mixed tocopherols are a mixed source of vitamin E. This is a natural preservative most brands prefer because it can help offer overall health benefits.
What you should feed for *insert issue here*
Here’s a little problem solving guide I tend to refer to especially when I’m walking someone through their options on navigating an issue.
Allergies
Limited ingredient, grain-free, avoiding chicken, feeding cool meats, adding omega’s, rotating proteins, adding probiotics, immunity boosters.
Weight Loss
High protein, low cal/fat, balanced fiber, add vegetables, lots of moisture
Picky Eaters
Rotating, meaty/high aroma, trying different things, mixing in (raw, canned, treats, freeze-dried, toppers, etc)
Digestive
Low fat, easy to digest meats/cool meats, GI support supplements (like probiotics, goats milk, pumpkin) LOTS of moisture.
Renal/Kidney
High protein, low fat/phosphorus, high moisture/rehydrated, raw or gently cooked, added support from supplement
Pancreatitis
High protein, low fat, high moisture/rehydrated foods, raw or gently cooked, added support from supplement. (Only feed freeze-dried if you’re rehydrating).
Diabetes
Low fat, high fiber, added supplements (like mushroom powder) to support blood sugar levels. LOTS of moisture. Preferably no kibble, but if you do then make sure to rehydrate. Raw and gently cooked/homemade diets, feed on a regular schedule (no free feeding).
Heart Issues
The grain vs grain free debate is a big one. To put it simply, neither one causes heart issues, it’s the legumes commonly included in low quality foods. A high quality food will include added nutrients, like Taurine. For ongoing heart issues, feeding ancient grains can help. For NO current heart issues, feed whichever you feel benefits your pet best.
Arthritis
High protein, low fat/calories, high moisture/rehydrated, grain-free, raw or gently cooked, added support from supplement.
