See important aspects to consider at the time of purchase
Reading the label before buying a food became a habit for many people: calories, ingredients, nutritional values: everything is taken into consideration when choosing what goes to the dish. In this context, knowing how to interpret the packaging information is also essential to provide quality diet, safe and suitable for the needs of dogs and cats.
According to Mayara Andrade, Biofresh Veterinary Doctor, Brf Pet Super Premium Brand, The food label is primarily a nutritional information tool. “It’s a way to understand what food offers. Showing compulsory and important information for nutrition of petsLike the basic composition of the ingredients, the guarantee levels and the enrichment of the product, in addition to its indication, that is, for which the species, the phase of life and the size of the food have been formulated “, he explains.
To help the tutors in this task, the professional below four fundamental steps that can be followed for “without pen “The essential is that the tutor knows what to look at and consult the veterinarian who accompanies the PET or the manufacturer to answer questions “, explains. Check!
1. Analyze the package
Every detail of the packaging is important. “When analyzing the package of foodWe find much more than the producer’s simple data. The labels bring important information that will help in the best choice for the PET. It is important to fully explore these data, “explains Mayara Andrade.
In packaging, according to the professional, the following information should mainly be evaluated:
- Classification of the food market, i.e. the segment in which it is part: It can be super premium natural, super premium, high premium (also known as a special prize), premium or economic (also known as standard);
- Warranty levels;
- Storage instructions;
- Recommendation of use, as recommended quantity and how to offer;
- Food type: What is the purpose of this food: feed or complete snack.
2. Check the type of food
According to the veterinarian, dogs and cats must eat more than 40 essential nutrients every day. Therefore, in order for a food to be ideal, in addition to essential nutrients, it must also provide adequate energy PET.
“This type of food that we call complete. So it is essential to understand if the food is complete or if it is a food complement, like a snack, which should not replace the main meal. It is also important to check for those who have been made that product: puppies, adult Or the elderly? Castrated? Sensitive skin? Or, if it is a diet to assist in the treatment of any disease, such as allergies, obesity or other diseases that need specific nutrition, “he says.
Foods can also be classified according to their function, that is, by the type of food. According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAP), food can be divided into:
- Full food: It is the one who has all the nutrients that animals need in everyday life. It can also have functional called ingredients to promote benefits beyond basic nutrition, such as the smell of reduced feces;
- Support food: Popularly known as therapeutic or drug. However, it is a combination of nutrients created specifically to help in the treatment of some ailments or diseases, such as kidney disease or allergies. Despite the assistance in the treatment, there is no addition of active ingredients in it;
- Specific food: That’s what was happy, snack or reward. It does not replace the daily feed, but it can have ingredients that bring some more advantage. In this case, it is indicated that up to 10% of the calories of the day will be intended for this type of food.
3. Consider the nutrients
The vet explains that attention is needed as well as looking at the composition of the food. “But only watching the table with numbers is not enough: it is important to pay attention to the list of ingredients, because it reveals where the nutrients come from PET You need to stay healthy and well fed, “he says.
According to Mayara Andrade, this technical evaluation of the label nutrients should always follow the following order:
THE) Fat, also called ethereal extract
Elaphonece Energy and is the largest source of food energy and plays an important role for skin health, coat and cellular function. “The most active or growing animals need more fat. Already castrated, in weight loss programs or in the problems that require a restriction of fat, they should receive foods with a less fat nutritional profile,” says the veterinarian.
B) Protein, called gross protein
Proteins have a great nutritional importance, as it is fundamental for various functions, such as the structure of organs, including antibodies and the formation of hair. “But the quality of the protein, its digestibility and if it provides all essential amino acids in the appropriate quantities are more important than their quantity and depend directly on the quality of the ingredients used. So the central concern should not be the amount of protein, but where this protein comes from”, he explains.
W) Fibrous matter
It is in intestinal functioning and satiety. In the case of cats, it also helps in the elimination of hair balls. “Depending on its quantity, it will perform a different function. Ideally, the food is to have a mix of types and quantities of fibers, so that you have the best of each of them,” he says.
D) Mineral matter
It represents the amount of minerals we find in food. Remember that minerals are important for the correct functioning of the body, as they act as facilitators of vital organic reactions. “The content of the content mineral Recommended is about 8% for dogs and cats, including puppies, “says Mayara Andrade.
AND) Football and phosphorus
According to the veterinarian, the observation of football (CA) and phosphorus (P) is fundamental, especially in puppies and elderly animals. “Remember that the calcium and phosphorus relationship is important and the recommendation changes according to the need for each phase of life. For cats, the control of the minerals added in the formulation is an important tool to help with the control of the urinary pH, being used to contribute to the health of the urinary tract of healthy cats”, he explains.
F) Humidity
It is the amount of water that food contains. Foods can also be classified according to their humidity content: dry, semi-mood and humid.
G) Functional ingredients
They are ingredients considered non -essential, that is, their presence in the diet of PET It is not mandatory because the body can make them through other nutrients. “But when they are present, they contribute to health. Therefore, the functional ingredients are included in diets based on the characteristics of each species, a phase of life, size and specific needs,” he says.
H) Metabolving energy
This is not a mandatory data on the label. It is the energy to use, physiological losses discounted by feces, urine and gas. “This information is important for the choice of the most appropriate food and for the calculation of the daily amount to offer,” explains Mayara Andrade.
4. How to use the daily quantity table?
The daily quantity table helps the tutor to offer the portion Correct the food for the animal, considering size, age, level of activity and environment in which it lives. “But it is worth remembering that the table of daily recommendations is a starting point and the adjustments for more or less the recommended on the package can be requested according to the individual characteristics of the PET. The ideal is always to be calculated to maintain the ideal weight and health of PET Updated, “adds Mayara Andrade.
The role of the veterinarian in the choice of food
According to the veterinarian, however reading the label is an important point for any tutor, nothing replaces the consultation with a veterinarian. “Only the veterinarian can evaluate the specific needs of each PET And they indicate the most appropriate food and quantity, “he concludes.
Source: Terra
Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.
