Is there really a difference between the "grocery
store" food and the so-called "veterinarian recommended"
diets ?
------- Those foods are just too expensive for me to feed
my pet everyday !
Selecting the right pet food can often be confusing because there are so many choices available to the consumer. These choices range from "all purpose" foods to specific therapeutic products which are formulated to aid in the management of specific illnesses. Many owners simply select a pet food based solely on package price. However, the proper way to determine feeding costs is not just to look at the package price. This can be a very misleading way to evaluate differences between pet foods. Instead, it is more accurate to note the daily and yearly feeding costs. This method takes into account the recommended amount to feed each day, as well as the purchase price.
The theory behind this recommendation is that some food brands are more calorie dense, and therefore require smaller amounts to provide the same usable energy as some other brands. These calorie dense foods are also more highly digestible and have fewer nonessential ingredients. This in turn greatly reduces stool volume and feeding costs.
The following is a comparison of two foods using the concepts stated above: (The comparison will be based on the requirements to feed a 10 lb cat.) This example is intended to illustrate how you can evaluate pet foods yourself and will hopefully assist you in selecting the best food for your pet.
| *Product | *Product | *Cost | *Cups to feed | *Cost | *Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (Dry) | Size (lbs) | of bag | per Day | per Day | per Year |
| Food A | 3.5 | $ 3.49 | 1.00 | 0.23 | $ 84 |
| Food B | 3.5 | $ 4.29 | 0.75 | 0.17 | $ 63 |
At first glance Food A appears to be a real money saver, but once the amount necessary to feed per day is considered, Food B is the better bargain per year. Not all foods will be this clear cut in comparison; therefore, one should also consider the quality of ingredients in a particular diet. As with most other things, a higher price per bag means better quality ingredients, and this translates into feeding less per day.
The above principles do not apply to therapeutic\prescription diets (due to more complex and costly ingredients used in the manufacturing process).
FEEDING RECOMMENDATIONS:
KEEP FRESH WATER AVAILABLE AT ALL TIMES.
Cats - Feed free choice (keeping food available at all times) or serve one or more small meals of 20 to 30 minutes each per day.
Dogs - Feed one or more meals of 20 to 30 minutes each per day.
**Puppies and kittens require multiple feedings of smaller portions per day than do adult animals. Growth formula foods should be fed to puppies and kittens until 10 - 12 months of age.
We hope that you will find this information helpful in your quest for better pet care. If you have any questions or comments, please call your veterinarian's office, or feel free to e-mail us.
David E. Hammett, DVM
and the Staff of All Creatures Veterinary Clinic, PC
