Dog nutrition has made huge leaps and bounds in the last ten years. There are so many choices for dog owners, it can be hard to decide what’s best to feed your dog. The big push right now is for “natural” dog food, and manufacturers are quick to pump out plenty of products for consumers to buy. But what is really meant by “natural”? And what is the difference between a natural and conventional dog food?
Dog food regulation does not have strict guidelines on what food can be considered “natural.” The Association of American Feed Control Officers (AAFCO) defines a natural food as one that does not include artificial flavors, colors or preservatives. All ingredients must be “derived solely from plant, animal or mined sources, either in its unprocessed state or having been subjected to physical processing”. Contrast that with conventional dog food, in which there is no limit on the amount of chemical and artificial ingredients that can be added to the food.
Manufacturers of natural dog food are banking on the fact that pet owners will have certain associations to the “natural” label. They may associate it with terms like organic and holistic. While organic and holistic dog foods are natural, not all natural dog foods are organic or holistic. Organic dog foods are those in which all plant ingredients are grown without pesticides and all animal products are raised without hormones. Holistic foods are those in which all components must serve a nutritional purpose and work together for optimal nutrition. Dog owners need to make sure that if they desire an organic or holistic food, they will need to choose a food with that label, and not assume that a natural food has these components.
Another assumption that consumers make about natural foods is that these dog foods contain better ingredients. Natural dog foods can still be made with inferior products and have fillers. Remember, the only qualification for “natural” is that all ingredients are plant or animal based. Cheaper natural foods can be made with poor quality meat or “meals,” and use cheap carbohydrate sources such as corn or wheat. When choosing a food, look for products that do not contain meals such as chicken meal, and use rice or oats for their carbohydrate source.
Natural dog foods differ from conventional diets in more than just nutritional components. Any dry product with a higher fat content must have some form of preservative to prevent rancidity. Because natural foods are not able to use artificial preservatives, they may not last as long. This means that owners who feed natural foods may need to buy smaller quantities more often to ensure that the food doesn’t go bad. Some foods can be stored in the freezer to slow the breakdown of fats, but check with your vet to make sure this will not negatively effect other nutritional components.
The biggest difference most consumers will notice between conventional and natural dog foods is the price. The cheapest natural food is always more expensive than regular foods. This is because the ingredients in those foods are generally more pricey to procure. Processing and manufacturing natural food is also more expensive. All of this is reflected in the price of natural foods. This price difference is what may keep people from switching over. However, that price increase is often offset by a decrease in health problems in their dog. Few vet visits and pricey medications generally make natural foods worth the higher price tag.
Natural dog foods differ from conventional products in ingredients, shelf life and price. While most vets agree that natural foods are better for your dog, pet owners must research different foods and make sure they are truly getting an upgrade for that increase in price.
Sources:
http://www.fda.gov/animalveterinary/resourcesforyou/ucm047113.htm
http://www.examiner.com/dogs-in-denver/dog-food-101-what-is-the-difference-between-natural-organic-and-holistic
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