According to a new survey of US pet owners by Harris Interactive for Wellness pet foods, more than 50 percent of pet owners say they always read the label on their own packaged foods, but only 19 percent of them say they read the labels on kitty’s food. In other words, we really need to know what’s in that frozen burrito we’re popping in the microwave, but Fluffy can just eat what’s on sale.
Eighty-five percent of dog and cat owners said their pet’s health was as important to them as the health of their family, and 56 percent said they worry that their pet’s food contains ingredients they wouldn’t want him to eat. But only 38 percent said they understand all the ingredients listed on pet food labels.
Now, I know that the difference between “beef,” “beef dinner” and “with beef” on a cat food label is unclear. In fact, the use of these terms is regulated by the Food and Drug Administration, and you can find a good explanation of what they all mean at fda.gov/cvm/petlabel.htm. There are also official definitions of ingredients like “by-products” and “animal digest” at alter-idem.smartmonkey.org/cats/definitions.htm.
But here’s the part I don’t understand: Cat owners were asked, “What do you think should be the first ingredient listed on the label of your cat’s dry food?” Forty-two percent said meat protein – and that’s the right answer. But when those same cat owners were asked, “As far as you know, what is the first ingredient listed on the label of your cat’s dry food?” only 16 percent said meat protein! If you know the first ingredient should be meat protein, why not a buy a cat food where the first ingredient actually is meat protein?
I know the meat-based foods are more expensive, but they are also nutrient-dense, which means you can feed your cat less. The fact is, foods high in grain are not metabolized as well, and therefore often end up in the litter box. So the expensive foods are not so expensive after all. Plus, your cat deserves the very best. The 85 percent of you who think your cat’s health is as important as your family’s know it’s true.
katz_pjs@yahoo.com