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Biologically Appropriate Pet Food
WHAT IS BIOLOGICALLY APPROPRIATE PET FOOD?
A vast majority of people consider their pets to be part of the family and that means that owners are keen to obtain the best care (and nutrition) for their furry ‘relatives’. Veterinarians often tell clients to avoid supermarket-bought pet food because premium brands (obtained online or from veterinarian clinics) are more nutritious. Premium foods usually list at least two animal proteins (such as chicken, beef, salmon, and eggs) at the beginning of their ingredients list and they are made with whole meats, healthy fats, and taurine (an amino acid that dogs and cats need to thrive). Within the group of premium products, one category – biologically appropriate (BA) food – has been in demand owing to its reputation for quality. WORDS MARISA CUTILLAS
BIOLOGICALLY APPROPRIATE PET FOOD PRINCIPLES
Leading BA food company, Orijen (manufactured in Alberta, Canada) prescribes five biologically appropriate principles that are useful for defining BA foods. » The food must be rich in meat and protein – to be specific, it must have a quotient of 85 per cent meat (this is up to three times more than conventional dog and cat foods). The protein should be free of plant protein concentrates, which also abound in many commercial products. » Around two-thirds of meat should be fresh or raw so that they contain a high level of quality proteins, vitamins, minerals, and fats. One-third of meat can be air-dried at low temperatures. » A wide variety of meats should be used since a natural diet would include more than one type of protein. Conventional pet foods often feature a single ingredient (such as chicken or salmon) that is highly processed and therefore not as nutritious. Biologically appropriate foods contain different types of fresh or raw meats. » Wholeprey superfoods should be fed to dogs or cats. The ingredients list should comprise meat (which provides nutrients like protein, fat, iron, Vitamins A, B, D, K, and more), organs (which are also nutrient-rich), and cartilage and bone (these foods are rich in minerals like magnesium, potassium, phosphorus, and calcium). » Carbohydrate and glycaemic counts should be limited. Many conventional foods contain over 50 per cent carbohydrates such as tapioca, starch, potato, and rice. The latter can cause blood glucose to rise and result in pet obesity.
Despite being made with raw meat, biologically appropriate foods can come in dry form and look just like regular kibble. This is because they are dried via freeze-drying processes which do not harm the nutritional quality of food.
INGREDIENTS TO AVOID IN SOME COMMERCIAL FOODS
If you have doubts about slightly upping your expenditure on pet food, take a look at the label of the food you are currently buying. Consider making a change if it contains ingredients like wheat gluten meal or corn gluten meal (these are fillers that ‘inflate’ food to make up for the low quantity of protein). Some foods can contain unhealthy animal or by-products that are not recommended for your pet. You should also avoid artificial preservatives such as butylated hydroxyanisole, ethoxyquin, and other additives that enable food to sit on shelves for months but could cause harm to your pet’s health.
Cheaper foods are sometimes made with corn syrup and/or soy. Corn syrup in particular can cause major problems such as metabolic syndrome and obesity in humans and they are no better for your treasured pet. Some supermarket foods also contain artificial dyes and colours which can worsen allergies or contribute to tumour growth. Investing in your dog’s health by opting for biologically appropriate or premium, veterinarian-approved food is important. Today, it is possible to buy all types of kibble, wet food, and snacks from countries as far as Canada and the U.S., since popular Spanish online sellers have an impressive array of stock. Whichever type of food you choose, try to steer clear of high-carbohydrate foods made with poor quality protein, preservatives, highly refined ingredients, and high-glycaemic index components like corn syrup. e
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