Choosing the Right Pet Foods : A Q&A with Dr Marty Becker

Choosing the Right Pet Foods : Dr Marty Becker

Choosing the Right Pet Foods : A Q&A with Dr Marty Becker

My Dogs Eat Better Than I Do! 

I attended a live YouTube session with Dr. Marty Becker last week to find out more about how pet owners should choose ingredients for pet foods. Raised on a little farm in Idaho, Dr. Marty Becker was born “knowing” small and enormous animals. With over 25 books published and a globally recognized program, “Fear Free“, Dr. Marty Becker may be a thought leader on a good sort of topics – and when it involves what to feed your dogs and therefore the ingredients to seem for, folks should hear his advice. Dr. Becker is an adjunct professor at his school, the Washington State University College of Medicine, and also at the universities of medicine at both Colorado State University and therefore the University of Missouri. (His full bio is at the top of this post).

Dr Marty Becker

As many of you recognize, I feed the dogs a raw diet – specifically a brand that I’ve researched extensively, Darwins. All three of my dogs eat Darwins lightly cooked. That said, tons of my readers are interested in what to feed their dogs and therefore the right ingredients. and that I recognize many people aren't ready to feed a home-based diet (or Raw) to their animals so it had been important to attend this live session and educate everyone. There are great nuggets of data below from Dr. Becker!

According to a piece of writing in Pet Food Industry’s current March 2017 issue, “Global pet care and pet foods sales are growing by nearly 5 percent per annum, standing out from other consumer grocery industries.” (page 58). While the industry grows, it’s important to research the brands you’re feeding – there are numerous CHOICES. Enjoy the following pointers.

TIPS: Its nutrients over ingredients!

Who makes it and where does it come from? Do your research! Where are the ingredients sourced? Is there someone on staff that features a master's in nutrition you'll speak to? Are there Vets and authorized Vet Techs you'll ask on staff? There should be. Pet owners should also check out the manufacturing and ingredient quality standards of the brand to form sure they meet or exceed FDA and AAFCO standards.

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Sizzle vs. steak: confirm you'll determine what's marketing vs. the reality a few products. Don’t fall prey to marketing tactics.

Be proactive together with your Vet: this is often an image of our Vet, Dr. Yung, at Frontier Vet Hospital in Oregon. Dr. Yung and that I am talking about Bruiser and his disc disease. Dr. Becker emphasized the importance of being proactive together with your Vet when it involves nutrition and questions on brands! I always consult Dr. Yung about what I’m feeding.

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Dr. Yung at Frontier Vet Hospital

Downsides of going grain-free? People associate grain with allergies which is why grain-free diets are top of mind. “Gram for gram, grain can deliver tons of protein. And diets in fiber – may result in nicely formed stool,” Dr. Becker added to the discussion.

Big fan of probiotics! As you recognize, I write tons about the advantages of probiotics for humans and animals. Dr. Becker talked about the advantage of probiotics when animals are taking antibiotics. Supplementing with probiotics may be a must and more about why during a previous blog post I wrote.

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Pet food recalls – do your homework! When it involves pet food recalls – Consider which pet food companies haven’t had recalls vs. the businesses that show up over and over again!

Dr. Becker talked about home-based diets and noted that they're difficult. There are books which will show you ways – but someone that creates some of the food that's 100% balanced and complete isn't easy. He’s right. It takes research and you would like to consult an expert and nutritionist to try to do this right. this is often why I opted to feed Darwins, it’s delivered to my door! As I previously mentioned, I did tons of research and talked to the corporate about the impact of lightly cooking the meals as I’m easier cooking for my senior dog, Bruiser. That said, for people that are trying to find the proper ingredients and feed kibble, the following pointers are invaluable. 

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By-products in foods? What are they? How they're used? Dr. Becker talked about by-products also. These contain corn, gluten or nutrient-rich sources just like the spleen. consistent with the Pet Food Institute, “ingredients produced during the processing of food for human consumption, often mentioned as “by-products” or “co-products,” are excellent sources of nutrition for cats and dogs. While by-products, particularly animal by-products—the highly nutritious parts of chickens, cows, pigs or fish, for instance, that are consumed first by animals within the wild—may not be preferred by Americans, they often are considered delicacies by others around the world.” Again, if you've got questions, call the brand you’re feeding and ask about the by-products found in their foods.

Additionally, by-products can provide more essential nutrients than regular muscle meat (which are often lacking in calcium and Vitamin A) but are naturally provided in by-products from the bones and liver. Many pet food manufacturers use high-quality by-products – like beef, chicken or pork which will include hearts, livers, kidneys, lungs, and spleens – and are considered a neighborhood of sustainable food sourcing.

Water fountains for cats and dogs? A circulating water bowl is often an ideal dog drinking fountain or cat drinking fountain for your home. Dr. Becker talked about how important this is often for cats. When water sits out for an extended period of your time, it can become stale and unappetizing to pets. The less water your pet drinks, the less hydrated your cat or dog becomes. I’m investing in one I found on Amazon, 

About Dr Marty Becker: 

Dr. Becker, “America’s Veterinarian,” has spent his life working toward better health for pets and therefore the people that love them. he's the resident veterinary contributor on “Good Morning America” for 17 years, a founding member of Core Team Oz for “The Dr. Oz Show,” and a member of the Dr. Oz Medical Advisory Panel. His books include three NY Times best-sellers — one among which is that the fastest-selling pet book of all time, soup for the Pet-Lovers Soul. He has been a contributor to Parade magazine, Reader’s Digest and AARP.com. Animal Radio hosts him monthly as their Chief Veterinary Correspondent.

Dr. Becker is an adjunct professor at his school, the Washington State University College of Medicine, and also at the universities of medicine at both Colorado State University and therefore the University of Missouri. Additionally, he has lectured at every school within us and is on the planning board of World Vets, a world veterinary and disaster relief program to assist animals. He practices at North Idaho Animal Hospital because he loves medicine, pets and therefore the people that look after them.