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UNDERSTANDING PET FOOD

Practical information about commercial pet foods and what goes into them.

Resources

Prebiotics

Ingredients in Pet Food

Prebiotics

Purina was the first to use prebiotics in pet food and is a leader in the field. What are the benefits of prebiotics to pets?

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6 min to 10 min

Raw Food Diets

Feeding Philosophies

Raw Food Diets

Raw food diets are popular with pet owners but the nutritional benefits are unproven, and most are unaware of the health risks that raw food can pose to pets — and people.

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6 min to 10 min

Switching Pet Foods - Cats

Changing Diets

Switching Pet Foods - Cats

Gradually transitioning onto a new diet minimizes the risk of stomach upset.

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1 min to 5 min

Homemade Pet Foods

Feeding Philosophies

Homemade Pet Foods

Homemade diets are perceived as healthier to some pet owners, but despite their draw, they may not be complete and balanced for healthy pets.

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6 min to 10 min

Considerations When Feeding Raw Pet Food Diets

Feeding Philosophies

Considerations When Feeding Raw Pet Food Diets

Raw meat diets are popular but may present several health risks.

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1 min to 5 min

Raw Meat-Based Diets: Current Evidence Regarding Benefits and Risks by Beth A. Hamper, DVM, PhD, DACVN

Feeding Philosophies

Raw Meat-Based Diets: Current Evidence Regarding Benefits and Risks by Beth A. Hamper, DVM, PhD, DACVN

Are raw meat-based diets a suitable option for pets?​

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11 min to 15 min

Choosing to Feed Wet or Dry Cat Foods

Choosing a Pet Food

Choosing to Feed Wet or Dry Cat Foods

Feeding either wet or dry commercial cat foods, or a combination of both, will provide cats with a complete and balanced diet.

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1 min to 5 min

Vegetarian Diets for Pets

Feeding Philosophies

Vegetarian Diets for Pets

Vegetarians may choose a meat free diet for many reasons including concerns for health, animal welfare, and environmental sustainability. For similar reasons, some pet owners may wonder if a vegetarian diet is an acceptable option for their pet.

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6 min to 10 min

Alternative Proteins in Pet Food

Ingredients in Pet Food

Alternative Proteins in Pet Food

Alternative proteins, which are generally considered protein sources other than the traditional animal sources such as beef and chicken, are increasingly being utilized in both human and pet food. What are examples of alternative proteins, and why are they used in pet food?

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6 min to 10 min

Balance Is Everything: Maintaining a Healthy Gut Microbiome

Treats & Supplements

Balance Is Everything: Maintaining a Healthy Gut Microbiome

Kelly S. Swanson, PhD, explains the importance of gut health, what dysbiosis means, and the value of using a synbiotic supplement.​

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1 min to 5 min

Probiotic Taxonomy and Taxonomic Changes

Treats & Supplements

Probiotic Taxonomy and Taxonomic Changes

Probiotic taxonomy can seem daunting to veterinary health care teams and pet owners alike. Understanding taxonomic changes, or changes to the genus and/or species name of a probiotic, can help improve communication with owners about supplements.

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6 min to 10 min

Postbiotics in pet foods

Ingredients in Pet Food

Postbiotics in pet foods

Postbiotics are an example of a dietary intervention that may improve microbiome, gastrointestinal, and host health.

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6 min to 10 min