The premium pet food market is saturated with options but there are a few things that matter most when picking out a food for your pet. (CBS Austin)
Venison, garbanzo beans, sweet potatoes and salmon -- it's not what you're eating for dinner… it's what your dog is eating. The premium pet food market is saturated with options but there are a few things that matter most when picking out a food for your pet.
Jenna Roth's miniature golden doodle, Paul, just turned one year old. "He's very social. He wants to be around other dogs and people all of the time," Roth says.
As constant companions, Jenna makes it a point to provide him with the best care she can and that includes what he eats. Paul's been eating the same brand food since he was born. "It's not the cheapest. It's middle of the road I'd say," explains Roth. She's never questioned the cost but sometimes wonders if his premium food is good enough.
Walk into any pet store and there's no shortage of options. You'll find bags labeled "grain free," "super-premium," "purely raw" and "raw-coated" kibble that's "oven baked."
"I think that your big buzz words right now are 'premium,' 'holistic,' 'organic' and you can slap those words on a bag of food but the big thing is, how transparent is that company?" asks Betsy Black of Tomlinson's Feed.
Black helps customers navigate the overwhelming pet food industry. "The first 10 ingredients should be things that you're familiar with," Black explains.
Veterinarian Alexis Bardzinski says one of the most important things to look for when picking out a food is the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) symbol on the bag. "A lot of these foods do go through studies and that's why that AACFO symbol on the back of the dog food is good because you know they're getting everything they need," Bardzinski says.
Most major brands -- even some of the cheapest brands on the market -- meet these standards. However, if you want to go the extra mile for your pet, Bardzinski suggests picking a food with meat as the first ingredient. "People look down on chicken meal or whatever meal but it actually has a lot more protein," she says.
Bardzinski prefers grain-free foods -- avoiding corn -- but only if it fits in your budget. "You don't want to start off with this expensive diet that you're just going to stop giving in six months because you can't afford it," she says.
Lastly, Bardzinski adds that premium food does not necessarily mean your pet will live a longer life. "As far as longevity goes, I really think that's difficult because we have so many other diseases processes out there," she explains.
Roth says she won't hesitate spending her hard-earned money on higher-priced dog food because to her -- Paul is worth it. "I'm his everything so it's important to me to make him a priority and be there for him," she says.
