Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Organic Pet Food & Health Benefits

And buyers should beware when reading labels — just as they should in the grocery store. Just because a pet food markets itself as "grain free" or "byproduct free" doesn't necessarily mean it will make a difference to an animal's health, says Dr. Jennifer Larsen, a veterinarian and professor of clinical nutrition at UC Davis.

"Food doesn't have to prove health benefits," she says. "Unless an individual pet has a specific documented intolerance to a certain type of grain, there's no advantage."

Furthermore, a "grain-free" food isn't necessarily higher in protein, Larsen adds. "It can still contain ingredients such as tapioca and peas. Often those diets are simply high in fat."

How does a pet owner filter though all this information? Since every animal is different, experimentation may be in order to find the right food, says Scanlan, the holistic vet. "But just because something
should be good for them doesn't mean it is. There is no such thing as 'the' best diet."


- More Here, nevertheless it's a great progress from the ubiquitous BHA/BPA ridden pet foods.

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