With so many things to consider when choosing a diet for your pet, it can be hard to sort the fact from the fiction around animal nutrition. But with almost 125 years of scientific research and development, the experts at Purina know about making nutritionally balanced foods that keep pets as healthy as possible
Veterinarian Dr Pete Wedderburn*, an independent vet who runs his own practice, shares his knowledge on how to help your pets get the nutrition they need.
Busting the myths
One common misconception is that animal derivatives often used in pet food are of low quality. In fact, any animal-based ingredient must come from an animal certified as fit for human consumption.
Often, there are certain animal parts – such as kidneys, hearts and lungs – that, while perfectly safe for humans to consume, are avoided because of personal taste or cultural preferences, or are excess to human demand.
Rather than being wasted, they can become ingredients in pet food, while still meeting stringent criteria for nutrients, production and quality assurance.
As vet Pete Wedderburn explains: “These ingredients are highly nutritious and tasty to cats and dogs, as well as being cost-effective, plus this process is one of the most ecologically sound ways of feeding pets.”
Although consumers may think muscle meat is a preferable choice for animals, it’s often less nutritious and has a higher ecological cost as it doesn’t make use of by-products (animal derivatives) leftover from human food production.
Meat is high in protein, which is essential for all animals and humans. “It’s used to make the essential building blocks of the body – muscles, organs, skin,” explains Pete. “Enzymes, hormones and antibodies are also all made from protein. They gradually wear down and need to be replaced, so a daily supply is needed.”
Common misconceptions
Despite this, more protein doesn’t necessarily mean better pet nutrition. Protein can’t be stored in the body, so if an excess is consumed, it is excreted in urine and faeces. This isn’t usually dangerous to healthy pets, but provides no additional health benefits and can potentially harm the environment due to the increased quantity of animal protein used in the production process.
“It’s highly unlikely that a pet won’t get enough protein – especially if they’re being fed commercial pet food,” Pete continues. “These are produced by companies who employ vets and nutritionists to ensure the correct amount of protein – and other nutrients – go into food.”
Similarly, if choosing to feed protein via a homemade raw diet, pet owners should seek expert advice to make sure the meals are nutritionally balanced and to understand the associated hygiene risks. “Humans cook food to kill bacteria,” explains Pete. “But with homemade raw meat diets that bacteria will still be present.
As well as potential health risks to dogs, there are also risks for the people around them as those bacteria will still be around the dog – for example, if they lick you, or on their bowl – and for anyone immunocompromised, this poses serious risks. Moreover, there’s no scientific proof of any benefit to feeding raw food; a nutritionally-balanced diet is what’s important.”
Purina’s 100% complete and balanced products are formulated by pet care professionals and based on research and science, to deliver the best possible pet nutrition so that pets can benefit from a healthy coat, good digestion or abundant energy, all of it with the taste they enjoy and love. Follow these links to Purina’s website for more information on animal derivatives in pet food, protein in pet food and Purina ingredients, science and sustainability
*Pete Wedderburn is not an employee of Purina PetCare. He is an independent veterinarian with whom Purina PetCare collaborates on certain pet related topics and initiatives.
