Ursula Wastl
More and more pets suffer from allergies, intolerances, eczema and even cancer. Partly responsible for this is the diet. Conventional pet food is generally neither qualitatively convincing nor species-appropriate in terms of composition. The meat content is far from the recommended for dogs and cats amount. Not to mention other inferior components.
Christian Niedermeier (Bioforpets) produces high quality organic pet food. In his experience, there is a connection between the gift of cheap food and specific diseases: "The number of diabetic cats or hyperthyroidism has increased so much in recent years that there is a direct link between poor nutrition and disease. In order to produce cheap pet food, the industry packs huge amounts of vegetable by-products (stems, stalks, leaves, peel, pomace, etc.), grains, sugar, iodine, artificial additives and artificial vitamins into the diet. This all leads to a hypoglycaemia and oversupply of the animals and these eventually suffer from diabetes or hyperthyroidism. "
But what exactly is "animal welfare" appropriate to animals? The offer is confusing and the labels on the packaging are often ambiguous.
Pay attention to the fine print
"The term 'animal by-products' can hide anything. Partly it stands for innocuous and even desirable ingredients such as offal, as well as these 'by-products' may be inferior slaughterhouse waste such as poultry feet, feathers, skin or glands. "
Silvia Urch, veterinarian and nutrition expert, on animal-friendly pet food
Veterinarian and nutrition expert Silvia Urch: "For example, terms such as 'animal by-products' can be found on almost all conventional ready-to-eat food products. Behind this name everything can hide. Partly it stands for innocuous and even desirable ingredients such as offal, as well as these 'by-products' may be inferior slaughterhouse waste such as poultry feet, feathers, skin or glands. Substantial ingredients such as peanut shells, straw and various waste products from food processing are also often hidden under "vegetable by-products". Incidentally, sugar does not have any place in a species-appropriate pet food for predators, nor does it have much to do with large amounts of wheat, corn or soybeans. "
Animal-friendly pet food: what should be in it?
The proportion of meat should account for the largest part of the species-appropriate pet food - in dog food is a share of 60 to 80 percent optimal, in the cat food even over 90 percent. Desirable is the most accurate declaration of meats, and the word "meat" should be included. For example, the term "poultry" is misleading. On the one hand, in addition to the postulated chicken and duck, turkey or the like may be included, on the other fall not only poultry meat, but also the aforementioned by-products under this term.
“High-quality, species-appropriate pet food has a positive effect on the immune system, digestion and dental health. So-called diseases of civilization, which have become more prevalent in recent decades, such as diabetes, allergies and cancer, are less frequently diagnosed in dogs and cats that are fed appropriately. ”Silvia Urch on animal nutrition
"Species-appropriate animal nutrition" is the attempt to adapt the pet food as well as possible to the respective animal species. In the case of dogs and cats, it is important to imitate a prey when feeding. Thus, pet food should consist to a large extent of animal components (muscle meat, cartilage, bones and offal) and to a lesser extent of vegetable components (fruits and vegetables, possibly cereals / pseudogels).
Such a diet also helps your pet stay healthy. Silvia Urch: "High-quality, species-appropriate pet food has a positive effect on the immune system, digestion and dental health. So-called civilization diseases, which have become increasingly common in recent decades, such as diabetes, allergies and cancer, are being diagnosed less frequently in dogs and cats that are fed on a species-appropriate basis. "
Very raw?
For several years will be BARF, which discusses biologically welfare raw food based on raw meat. This feed method is based on the diet of wolves and wild or large cats, which are considered the ancestors of dogs or cats. BARF is a short form and is often translated in English as "Bones and Raw Food", in German usually translated freely with "Biologically Appropriate Raw Pet Food".
The biggest advantage is that you know exactly what you are feeding, and you can tailor the formula to the needs of the animal. However, one can also make many mistakes: Christine Iben, Vet-Med Vienna"When people start to eat, they often use either too little or too many minerals or trace elements at first. This can result in certain diseases of the skeletal system. At the bar you should already know very well or be advised by specialists. "The customer review has been automatically translated from German.
How do I change the pet food?
Even if you have the best intentions, your pet may not immediately accept higher quality pet food. In dogs, there are usually less problems, cats can often be very picky. Especially with the latter, the owners must be prepared to compromise, says Christine Iben: "A change of diet needs a lot of patience, you have to slowly get used to the animals. It is best to first mix the new pet food with the old one and slowly increase the dose of the new one. You may be able to warm the food easily, which also increases the acceptance usually. Nevertheless, it can happen with cats that they do not accept the new food completely or not completely. "
If you have chosen to barefoot but your pet refuses raw meat, it may help to easily scald or fry it at first. Many dogs and cats also do not like vegetables - here it helps to mash this under minced meat. Christian Niedermeier: "Sometimes you just have to stick to it. Cat Momo, for example, has strictly denied our pet food for five days and is now one of our oldest customers. "
Keep yourself informed about animal welfare, the essentials Ingredients and the discussion "Wet food vs. Dried animal food".
Photo / Video: Hetzmannseder.
