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PET NUTRITION
As a child i remember feeding the cats Whiskas kibble and the dogs Pal kibble with the Pal casserole cans. I can imagine alot of us grew up seeing this and thinking its okay for our pets. Is it really though?
I understand sometimes cost is a factor, why would you pay $80 for a 8kg bag of premium quality cat kibble in a pet store when you can get 8kg of a supermarket brand for $30. Not only is it easier access but its cheaper right?
Let me put it to you this way, would you happily feed your child McDonalds twice a day for everyday of his/her life simply because its cheaper and easier? Would you happily consume a box of KFC chicken for breakfast and dinner because its just down the road?
I dont think alot of people would do that to themselves or their children. SO the question remains why would you do it to your pet?
Think of the last time you stuffed yourself on McDonalds and how sick and bloated you felt afterwards. How you were hungry only a couple of hours later despite the huge amount of food you ate.
Now think of the last time you ate a nice home cooked meal. How satisfied did you feel after it? How long did that feeling last?
That $80 bag of premium pet food is starting to look a little more worth it.
Lets compare the cheap junk brands with the premium brands.
Cheap:
Pros -
Premium:
Pros -
Cons -
As a child i remember feeding the cats Whiskas kibble and the dogs Pal kibble with the Pal casserole cans. I can imagine alot of us grew up seeing this and thinking its okay for our pets. Is it really though?
I understand sometimes cost is a factor, why would you pay $80 for a 8kg bag of premium quality cat kibble in a pet store when you can get 8kg of a supermarket brand for $30. Not only is it easier access but its cheaper right?
Let me put it to you this way, would you happily feed your child McDonalds twice a day for everyday of his/her life simply because its cheaper and easier? Would you happily consume a box of KFC chicken for breakfast and dinner because its just down the road?
I dont think alot of people would do that to themselves or their children. SO the question remains why would you do it to your pet?
Think of the last time you stuffed yourself on McDonalds and how sick and bloated you felt afterwards. How you were hungry only a couple of hours later despite the huge amount of food you ate.
Now think of the last time you ate a nice home cooked meal. How satisfied did you feel after it? How long did that feeling last?
That $80 bag of premium pet food is starting to look a little more worth it.
Lets compare the cheap junk brands with the premium brands.
Cheap:
Pros -
- Cheaper
- Easier access
- Doesnt keep your pet full for long - hungry pet till next meal or more food used
- Full of Carbohydrates and Sugars - temporary fillers
- Negative impact on dental hygiene
- More frequent and smelly stools - for cats this makes for an offensive smelling household and more kitty litter used (extra costing)
- Poor body condition
Premium:
Pros -
- Healthier for your pet
- Full of protein - makes for a healthy coat
- Keeps your pet fuller for longer - makes for smaller meal portions and as such will last longer
- Less frequent stools
- Less stool odour
Cons -
- Cost
AND THATS FOR THE DRY FOOD! WHAT ABOUT WET FOOD?
TINNED FOOD/SACHETS VERSUS FRESH MEAT
My partner was in IGA the other day and came across a lady who was purchasing a 40g tin of "cat food" in the Black & Gold brand for 50c each. This lady went on to make a snide comment about how Whiskas tins are $1.29 each and how much of a rip off it is. But is it really?
Again tinned food or the sachets are easier yes? Quicker? But are they really more cost effective.
Another scenario for you; your cat gets 1 tin of a morning and 1 tin of a night thats 2 a day. You buy a tin for 50c each. One weeks worth of this tin "food" (and i use that word loosely) will cost you $7.
Now you are paying $7 to feed your cat watered down slop that probably has about 5% actual meat in it.
OR
You could go to the fresh meat section and buy 1kg of chicken necks for $2.50 and it will feed your cat for approx 2 weeks. .
And dont even get me started on the Salmonella in a Roll!
Again it comes down to if you wouldnt expect your child or yourself to eat it, why would you expect your pet?
My partner was in IGA the other day and came across a lady who was purchasing a 40g tin of "cat food" in the Black & Gold brand for 50c each. This lady went on to make a snide comment about how Whiskas tins are $1.29 each and how much of a rip off it is. But is it really?
Again tinned food or the sachets are easier yes? Quicker? But are they really more cost effective.
Another scenario for you; your cat gets 1 tin of a morning and 1 tin of a night thats 2 a day. You buy a tin for 50c each. One weeks worth of this tin "food" (and i use that word loosely) will cost you $7.
Now you are paying $7 to feed your cat watered down slop that probably has about 5% actual meat in it.
OR
You could go to the fresh meat section and buy 1kg of chicken necks for $2.50 and it will feed your cat for approx 2 weeks. .
And dont even get me started on the Salmonella in a Roll!
Again it comes down to if you wouldnt expect your child or yourself to eat it, why would you expect your pet?
SO WHAT DO WE RECOMMEND THEN?
Dry Food Premium Quality brands such as;
Advance
Black Hawk
Royal Canin
Hill's Science Diet
Fresh Meat such as;
Beef Mince
Chicken Mince
Kangaroo Mince
Lamb Necks for large dogs
Chicken Carcasses
Chicken Necks
Chicken Wings
Quail Carcasses
NEVER FEED YOUR PET ANY FORM OF COOKED BONES!
Dry Food Premium Quality brands such as;
Advance
Black Hawk
Royal Canin
Hill's Science Diet
Fresh Meat such as;
Beef Mince
Chicken Mince
Kangaroo Mince
Lamb Necks for large dogs
Chicken Carcasses
Chicken Necks
Chicken Wings
Quail Carcasses
NEVER FEED YOUR PET ANY FORM OF COOKED BONES!