PET FOOD GUIDELINES

There is a huge body of information about pet nutrition which has been developed over many years.

Among the many thousands of publications and papers, a key source of nutritional information is the National Research Council Guidelines published by the US National Academy of Sciences. These guidelines, produced by an independent body of scientists, detail the basic nutritional requirements of cats and dogs and give clear guidance on the essential nutrients required by the different animals. To find out more: http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=10668

The European Pet Food Manufacturers' Association, FEDIAF, have also produced a nutritional guideline which members follow. This is a comprehensive review of the NRC data and other existing science produced as a practical guide for manufacturers. The guidelines are peer viewed by independent veterinary nutritionists throughout Europe: www.fediaf.org

INGREDIENTS

USING THE RIGHT INGREDIENTS
The food you feed your pet is the single most important thing for their health. Pets need a wide range of nutrients to maintain healthy body function. For optimal health your pet needs a diet which is nutritionally balanced and palatable.

INGREDIENTS IN PET FOOD
What ingredients are used in the manufacture of pet food? Find out more about the ingredients generally used in pet food.

NUTRITION INNOVATIONS

ADVANCES IN PET FOOD
Over the last couple of decades prepared pet foods have become increasingly sophisticated. Scientific advancements in pet nutrition mean that manufacturers are now not only thinking about meeting the nutritional needs of pets but also how health and well being can be enhanced by using added beneficial ingredients.

LABELLING

UNDERSTANDING LABELLING
Read all about pet foods labels here.

A GUIDE TO PET FOOD LABELLING

FEDIAF CODE OF GOOD LABELLING PRACTICE

TECHNICAL STUFF

MANUFACTURING OF PET FOOD
A lot has changed since the beginning of the manufacture of pet food in the UK. Commercial production in the UK began in the 1930s when the Chappel Brothers began canning a meat and cereal food for dogs.

SOURCING OF RAW MATERIALS
When sourcing all ingredients, individual member companies operate their own stringent in-house quality assurance policies. These include strict specifications for material supplies, routine testing of all incoming materials and the use of vendor assurance schemes to monitor supply sources.

LEGISLATION GOVERNING PET FOOD
The manufacture and sale of pet food is comprehensively regulated. All legislation applicable to pet food originates from the EU in the form of Regulations, Directives and Decisions which are subsequently implemented into UK national law.

PET FOOD CODES OF PRACTICE
The pet food industry has adopted a number of Codes of Practice which support the regulations and in some cases exceed legislative requirements.

PET FOOD TOPICS

PET FOOD AND THE ENVIRONMENT
The pet food industry is responsible, efficient and at the forefront of technology. This means that it can minimise the use of resources while maximising safety standards.

VAT ON PET FOOD
Throughout Europe there is a wide disparity between the VAT treatment of food for pets and that for humans.

DOGS AND GRAPE POMACE
Grapes and raisins are known to be toxic to some dogs whereas grape pomace has been used safely as an antioxidant in dog foods for many years without any reported adverse affects.

PET FOOD GUIDELINES
There is a huge body of information about pet nutrition which has been developed over many years.

BREED SPECIFIC DIETS
There is a wide range of pet food on the market to meet all needs and preferences; this includes diets that have been formulated to meet the individual needs of specific breeds.

BENEFITS OF PREPARED PET FOOD
Pet owners feeding a commercially prepared pet food can have complete confidence they are addressing all their pet’s nutritional needs.

CARBOHYDRATES IN FELINE DIETS
The existing science highlights that the carbohydrate levels found in prepared pet foods, both wet and dry, are well tolerated by both dogs and cats, and are important for the nutritional contribution they bring.

LIFE-STAGE NUTRITION FOR PETS
Life stage nutrition is the practice of feeding pets specific foods designed to meet their needs at a specific age or during a specific physiologic state such as pregnancy. By feeding to meet the needs of pets at varying life stages, owners can be sure they are providing their pet with optimum nutrition.

WEIGHT MANAGEMENT AND WEIGHT LOSS DIETS
Weight management is critical in maintaining your pet’s health and a number of factors need to be taken into consideration when assessing this. For example, the pet’s age, level of activity, sex, neuter status and breed must all be taken in to account. All dogs and cats are individuals and owners need to be aware to adjust feeding according to their pets’ life-stage and lifestyle.

CEREALS IN PET FOOD
Generally cereals are used as a source of energy for dogs and cats, but they also provide a significant proportion of the protein to the total diet.

SUGAR IN PET FOOD
Refined sugars are expensive ingredients and in most parts not easily digestible by cats and dogs so they are rarely used as ingredients in pet food.

ADDITIVES IN PET FOOD
Additives are used in both human and pet food to help ensure quality, safety, texture, consistency, appearance, odour or taste. Some additives are derived from naturally occurring materials (usually plants) and others are artificially produced substances.

RAW MEATY BONES DIETS
In the case of a diet where only raw meat and bones are fed, there is a concern particularly amongst vets and animal nutritionists, that this exclusive diet may not meet the pet’s needs without appropriate supplementation.