Does Your Pet Really Need Special Food for Each Life Stage?

Take a stroll down any pet food aisle and you will see a wide variety of specialty foods, many promoted for a specific stage in your dog or cat’s life. You may see “Puppy” or “Mature Adult” or even reduced-calorie foods marketed as “Light” or “Weight Management.” It can leave a pet parent wondering, “What’s the difference between these formulas,” and “Can’t I feed my pet the same thing throughout its life?” Here is a look at the key factors influencing the formulas offered by pet food companies.

Probiotics and Enzymes Support Healthy Digestion in Pets

Your pet’s digestion is essential to his overall health. Good digestion has been linked to a strong immune system, healthy skin and coat, fewer allergies, a reduction in hairballs, as well as less gas and waste. Whole food ingredients, like those used to make Nature’s Logic® foods, naturally contain probiotics and enzymes to help pets maintain good digestive health. 

Added Vitamins and Minerals in Pet Food Carry Unwanted Hidden Ingredients

Most pet guardians don’t realize that “added vitamins and minerals” are very common sources of hidden ingredients and contaminants in pet foods, even so-called natural foods. Truly natural nutrients come only from real food. If a pet food claims to be “natural with added vitamins and minerals,” those vitamins and minerals are NOT natural. This is actually a disclaimer, required by The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO), to alert pet parents that the added vitamins and minerals are not natural.

Why Pet Lovers are Choosing Gluten-Free Pet Foods

Gluten has received a lot more attention with pet guardians in recent years. The 2007 pet food recall, involving pet foods containing gluten contaminated with melamine, led to the loss of many beloved companions. Adding to the increased awareness is the fact that, like people, pets can have gluten allergies, also called celiac disease, a fairly common food allergy in dogs. Gluten allergies can result in skin and coat issues, as well as digestive difficulties. For these reasons, more and more pet guardians are choosing gluten-free pet foods.