The Pet Food IndustryThe Pet Food Industry

Big Business - at least $10 billion/yrBig Business - at least $10 billion/yr When you buy food for your pet…When you buy food for your pet…

Do you get what the pet needs?Do you get what the pet needs? Or do you buy what you think your pet might Or do you buy what you think your pet might

like?like?

Nutrient ClassesNutrient Classes

Protein - meat and milk Protein - meat and milk products, soy productsproducts, soy products

Carbohydrates - corn and Carbohydrates - corn and grain productsgrain products

Fat - vegetable oil, tallow, Fat - vegetable oil, tallow, lardlard

Vitamins - mostly added Vitamins - mostly added in synthetic formin synthetic form

Minerals - mostly added Minerals - mostly added as salts (iron sulfate, etc.)as salts (iron sulfate, etc.)

Water - the most Water - the most important nutrientimportant nutrient

Types of Dog FoodTypes of Dog Food Dry: < 15% moistureDry: < 15% moisture

Usually extruded - Usually extruded - companies can pick a shape companies can pick a shape that you likethat you like

Fat sprayed on after food is Fat sprayed on after food is formed.formed.

Semi-moist: 15-30 % Semi-moist: 15-30 % moisture - “soft” dog foodmoisture - “soft” dog food

Corn syrup, salt, sugars Corn syrup, salt, sugars added to bind moisture and added to bind moisture and prevent spoilageprevent spoilage

Canned: 78% moisture Canned: 78% moisture maximum.maximum.

Complete or meat typeComplete or meat type Long shelf life taste appealLong shelf life taste appeal

Dry or canned more economical?

Pet Food LabelsPet Food Labels

Product nameProduct name Net WtNet Wt List of ingredients List of ingredients

(highest listed first)(highest listed first) Manufacturer’s Manufacturer’s

addressaddress

Guaranteed analysisGuaranteed analysis Crude Protein (min)Crude Protein (min) Crude Fat (Min)Crude Fat (Min) Crude Fiber (Max)Crude Fiber (Max) Water (Max)Water (Max)

Type of pet, feeding Type of pet, feeding directionsdirections

Statement of nutritional Statement of nutritional adequacy adequacy

is it complete?is it complete? formulatedformulated or or testedtested to meet to meet

requirements (AAFCO) requirements (AAFCO)

Life Cycle NutritionLife Cycle Nutrition

Pre-weaningPre-weaning Colostrum provides passive immunity Colostrum provides passive immunity

- puppy needs this in the first 24 hrs- puppy needs this in the first 24 hrs for proper absorbtion. for proper absorbtion.

Dam’s milk adequate for 4 wks. Dam’s milk adequate for 4 wks. Additional food needed after 4 wks.Additional food needed after 4 wks.

Early GrowthEarly Growth 1st 6 months most rapid growth phase1st 6 months most rapid growth phase Choose a food designed for this stageChoose a food designed for this stage

AdultAdult Switch to adult or “All life stages” at 1 yearSwitch to adult or “All life stages” at 1 year Lower protein, vitamin, mineral requirementsLower protein, vitamin, mineral requirements

Common Nutritional Common Nutritional Problems - ObesityProblems - Obesity

Affects 1/3 of dogsAffects 1/3 of dogs Caused by overfeeding/inactivityCaused by overfeeding/inactivity More prone to cardiovascular, skin, reproductive More prone to cardiovascular, skin, reproductive

problems and cancerproblems and cancer Weight reducing diets have more fiber, fewer Weight reducing diets have more fiber, fewer

calories and may leave dogs more satisfied.calories and may leave dogs more satisfied. When viewed from the top, dogs should have When viewed from the top, dogs should have

hourglass shape with some ribs showing.hourglass shape with some ribs showing.

Very Thin

Thin

Ideal

Overweight

Obese

Common Nutritional Common Nutritional Problems - DiabetesProblems - Diabetes

Not enough insulin - glucose builds up in the Not enough insulin - glucose builds up in the blood, can’t get into the tissues.blood, can’t get into the tissues.

Signs - high water intake, increased urination.Signs - high water intake, increased urination. Type I diabetes - pancreas can’t produce insulin Type I diabetes - pancreas can’t produce insulin

- most dogs have this type. Shots necessary.- most dogs have this type. Shots necessary. Type II - Pancreas produces insulin, but not Type II - Pancreas produces insulin, but not

enough. Only 10-20% of dogs have this type. enough. Only 10-20% of dogs have this type. May respond to weight loss.May respond to weight loss.

Common Nutritional Common Nutritional Problems - Chronic Kidney Problems - Chronic Kidney

DiseaseDisease Usually affects older dogs Usually affects older dogs

- also caused by injury, - also caused by injury, tumors and infection.tumors and infection.

Dog loses ability to Dog loses ability to control electrolytes and control electrolytes and filter waste products.filter waste products.

Same signs as diabetes - Same signs as diabetes - high water intake and high water intake and increase urination.increase urination.

Common Nutritional Common Nutritional Problems - Food AllergiesProblems - Food Allergies

Often occurs when dog has been on same diet for several years.Often occurs when dog has been on same diet for several years. Typical sign - Typical sign - ITCHINGITCHING - belly, inside front legs where legs meet the - belly, inside front legs where legs meet the

body, and the groin.body, and the groin. Rule out fleabites, bacterial or fungal infections.Rule out fleabites, bacterial or fungal infections. Dog develops insensitivity to large proteins like..Dog develops insensitivity to large proteins like..

Beef, dairyBeef, dairy Also chicken, cereal, fish and eggsAlso chicken, cereal, fish and eggs

No quick fixes - eliminate all sources of protein and use a new No quick fixes - eliminate all sources of protein and use a new source. May take 8-10 weeks.source. May take 8-10 weeks.

If problem disappears, challenge with original diet and watch for If problem disappears, challenge with original diet and watch for signs.signs.

SummarySummary

Pet food is big business - lots of profits Pet food is big business - lots of profits and marketing pressure.and marketing pressure.

You don’t need the most expensive food - You don’t need the most expensive food - or the cheapest.or the cheapest.

Look for the “formulated” or “tested” Look for the “formulated” or “tested” statement on the label - this probably statement on the label - this probably means it’s a good food.means it’s a good food.

Don’t overfeed.Don’t overfeed.