Tips On Buying Healthy Pet Food
Value Pet Supplies may not have a physical storefront, but that didn’t stop them from bringing in $2.1 million in revenue for 2008. Sales grew more than eight-fold when the company switched to an e-commerce platform, reports president Zachary Piech. He says that making it easier for consumers to purchase pet care products directly through the site had an amazing impact. Yet with so many online retailers, brands and pet products to choose from, it can be difficult to navigate pet supplies online.
Food is one of the most important pet supplies to buy. High quality food can ensure a shiny coat, a proper weight, good energy levels and a longer life, whereas poor quality food can leave a pet listless, bloated, chunky and requiring more frequent medical care.
“You don’t have to choose the most expensive food to get what’s best for your pet,” advises Consumer Reports’ health editor, Jamie Hirsh. She advises that pet owners look for food that’s been validated by research from the American Association of Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) and food that is clearly labeled with manufacturer contact information. The pet’s age and special needs should be considered when making a healthy pet food purchasing decision.
When purchasing pet supplies food, understanding the labels is crucial. There’s really no official definition of “organic,” “human-grade,” “premium,” “no fillers” or “gourmet” food, which means there are no set standards or guarantees. Additionally, “gluten-free food” only applies to a very small segment of pets that are actually allergic to gluten or protein products. There is some evidence that products enhanced with vitamin E, omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants may protect pets from certain diseases but experts are split over whether this is really necessary or not.
Wellness Core, Natural Balance Ultra Premium, Newman’s Own Organics Chicken & Rice and Feline’s Pride Gourmet Chicken Dinner are among the top brands of dry food pet supplies for cats. Wet food brands include Wellness, Natural Balance and Fancy Feast. Innova, Evolve, Chicken Soup for the Cat Lover’s Soul, Merrick, Evangers, Wysong and Fromm Four-Star Nutritionals also ranked well.
For more great tips on purchasing pet food as well as pet supplies price comparison, check out our pet supplies website.
