Special circumstances when choosing pet food
The choice of a particular food to address special circumstances can take you on a very interesting journey. More often than not, that journey can be quite frustrating and confusing.
The volume of choices can be overwhelming. Once you establish why you’re looking for a particular food, the process becomes much easier.
Over the years, we’ve had five main categories of special circumstances present themselves. While there are many others, click on the link to the left to narrow down your choices based on these common requests or situations.
- Known food sensitivities or food allergies
- Preference for specific protein source
- Preference for grain free food
- Vet reccomendation
- Weight Loss diet
- Grain Free foods
A weight loss food is usually not something that is required long term. Quite often, by transitioning to good quality, nutritious food and limiting “snacks”, proper weight management can be achieved.
Most commercial weight loss, or “light” formulas, contain a high amount of grains or other insoluble fiber. The theory, not proven by controlled study, is that by eating a larger amount of indigestible material, a pet will “feel full”. Since the food is indigestible, they will lose weight.
While this approach appears to work in theory, it also robs your pet of daily nutritional needs. If the food they are ingesting is not digestible, the nutrients required will not be available. You will most likely be better off feeding less of a quality formula and controlling extra treats.