Last Updated on February 2, 2023 by ellen
Are you looking for a cheap dog food that’s safe? Or, the best cat food brands? Is your pet’s food safe? Consider this before you make your decision.
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Is your pet’s food safe?
You wouldn’t feed unhealthy, potentially poisonous food to your child. Why would you feed it to your cat or dog? November is National Pet Awareness month—the ideal time to reflect on whether our four-legged loved ones are eating food that’s safe.
What makes a safe pet food?
So, is your pet’s food safe? In honor of the occasion, the veterinary technicians at premium pet food maker Natural Balance suggest looking out for the following when choosing pet food for your furry friend:
Go grain-free
Toxins are commonly produced by molds that occur in cereal, grains, or added ingredients. Natural Balance recommends ensuring your pet food is tested regularly, and it encourages pet owners to look for limited-ingredient or grain-free formulas.
Store your pet’s food in a cool, dry place
Bacteria like Salmonella and E. Coli thrive in warm, moist environments. Make sure your pet’s food is tested before it hits the shelves and store the food in a cool, dry place once you bring it home.
You should also store your pet’s food in a tightly sealed container so that it stays good as long as possible. Don’t store it in direct sunlight. I find that a pet food container like this one is very handy.
What’s in cheap dog food?
Artificial chemicals are often added to pet foods to help with flavor or shelf life. Make sure to read the ingredients list (just like you would for your own food) and opt for pet foods without added dyes or chemicals.
Safe pet foods aren’t always about how expensive the food is. So, it’s more important to look for quality ingredients.
What dog food brands are safe?
You can find a variety of safe pet foods. So, here are a few good choices for your dog.
- Wellness Complete Health Dry Dog Food.
- Instinct Original Grain-Free Dry.
- Natural Balance Limited Ingredients Dry.
- Blue Buffalo Life Protection Dry.
Resources are available to help provide pet-related advice, including how to select and care for pet food. Natural Balance offers services beyond what one would expect from a pet food brand. They have Buy With Confidence® veterinary technicians who are available to discuss pet-related topics through online chat, email, and phone.
Every bowl of food should be tasty, nutritious, and safe—that is why Natural Balance is the only brand with an ISO-certiï¬ed testing facility that checks for the nine most common contaminants across toxins, bacteria, and chemicals before distribution to store shelves.
Finally, how do you make sure your pet is healthy and happy?
Related reading
- What is cultured pet food?
- Freeze dried raw dog food
- Safely feed your cat people food
- Homemade dog toothpaste
- How do snails eat?
Ellen runs a small pet sitting business in southern Vermont. She has experience with a variety of small animals, dogs and cats. She has also cared for ducks, chickens and rabbits. Combined, she has over 20 years of experience in pet care and pet sitting.
These are great tips. I always read the labels on my cat’s food.
Always a good idea!
I feed the Farm cat grain free and I try and give them the best food I can with what I can afford
That’s the best way to do it!
Yes! as my dogs become seniors, I do care about their health and what they eat. thanks
You’re welcome!
Great tips – thanks for sharing!
You’re very welcome!
My dog became more sensitive to his food as he got older. He was pretty tiny so I didn’t mind spending a little more since he ate small amounts. I can’t believe all the options now they have for pet food. I think grains are hard for both humans and pets to digest so I’d go with the grain-free dog food next time.
That’s definitely a good point, Deb!
Always a good idea to check and see if you are feeding your furbabies the good dog food. I always worry about that, but I think we are safe in that department. Still a great article for other pet parents.
It definitely is important to check!
Great tips! I try to feed my dog the best food possible.
Glad to help, Laura!