When you don’t know just what you’re looking for, it can seem like there are hundreds of pet food products on the shelves to choose from. You may be asking yourself: Does my pet have this problem, or will she have this problem if I don’t get this food to prevent it? But not all foods are equal, and there is no one food that will covers all the bases. So how to choose?
Many of the foods you are looking at are specialty products, or functional foods, which contain at least one ingredient that is designed to prevent or moderate a medical condition.
The most common functional formulas are geared toward:
- Dental/oral health
- Food allergies
- Joint health
- Urinary tract health
Foods that are formulated to increase the health of the teeth are indicated for pets that have been diagnosed with a tendency to develop severe dental disease. This often is breed or age related, but may also be linked to diet. These foods are made to clean the teeth as the animal chews the food, and in some formulas, extra ingredients that are designed to prevent tarter buildup are added. These foods can be especially beneficial for pets that cannot sit for daily dental care (i.e., tooth brushings), or for pets that are already in the process of tooth decay.
If you are unable to clean your pet’s teeth on your own -- no matter the reason -- talk to your veterinarian about the possible benefits of a dental diet. If left unchecked, dental disease can eventually lead to tooth loss, gum disease, and other more serious conditions.
Each body is different, so what might be right for one dog or cat, may not be right for another. This is true even when the animals are related, or who have grown up in the same home together. What one animal relishes and can eat seemingly without consequence, another can have a severe physical reaction to. And it can be in response to the most benign ingredient. Allergic reactions are generally recognized by their symptoms: vomiting, diarrhea, and itchy skin are three of the most prominent.
Animals with food allergies often will benefit from a special diet that has been chosen specifically for the lack of the ingredient that has caused the allergic reaction. These foods typically are made from a source of protein that the animal has not had a chance to develop an allergy to, such as duck or venison. Likewise, the carbohydrate source is unlike the ingredients that are typically found in regular cat and dog foods. Oats and rice are two of the most common carbs used in pet foods that have been formulated for allergy prone pets. These special diets also contain omega-3 fatty acids, like those found in fish and flaxseed oils, for strengthening the immune system and organs.