How to read a cat food label

The quality of cat food your cat is eating is very important, as a poor diet can result in poor health for cats. When you head down the cat food isle of your supermarket, you could be forgiven for thinking the world of cat food is a bit of a minefield, because unless you know a few of the rules and understand a bit about how it works, it really can be a minefield.

Not many people realise how important the wording on a cat food label is, and what it implies for the product.

If the cat food product is described as “Tuna Cat Food”, according to the guidelines set by the regulators of cat food, this means that at least 95% of the product must consist of the stated ingredient, in this case tuna.

If there are two ingredients listed, such as “Tuna and Salmon Cat Food”, then the same 95% rule applies, with the first meat listed (tuna) as more predominant in the product.

When a filler word is present, such as “dinner” or “entree” or “platter”, although you might think this makes it sounds more tasty, the truth is it means the product only needs to contain 25% of the stated meat to comply with regulations. So a “Tuna and Salmon Platter”, only has 25% tuna and salmon present in the tin.

When the word “with” is used, that means just 3% of the product consists of the stated meat. There is a huge difference therefore between “Tuna Cat Food” (95% tuna) and “Cat Food with Tuna” (3% Tuna)

It is very important when you are selecting cat food to have a look at the ingredients list on the back, as here you will see what is contained within the product in the order of predominance. If an ingredient such as “corn meal” is listed first, then it is wise to steer clear of this particular food. The top quality foods always have the stated meat listed first. Also be aware that even though a product may be tuna based, there may still be other meats like chicken and beef products contained within it.

These are a few of the tricks used by manufacturers of cat food explained. Always look out for the wording on the front of the label and the ingredients list on the back as this information will give you a fair idea of what sort of quality the food is.

If you have any other tips on how to read a cat food label or ensuring your cat gets the very best in terms of diet, send in your comments below.

Pets shedding hair

Dogs and cats shedding hair can be a problem for owners as their home and themselves get covered on a daily basis. It is impossible to stop the shed of hair, but it is possible to minimise the problem by reducing the amount of loose hair and removing it so it doesn’t all end up on embedded in your sofa.

Dogs shed broken or damaged hair, so by ensuring their skin and coat are as healthy as possible, you will be able to automatically reduce the amount of hair that is shed.

1. Brush their coat to ensure it stays soft and clean. Brushing also removes the loose hair and allows you to get rid of it before it is shed all over your home.

2. Make sure you are feeding your pet a good quality pet food as a poor diet will lead to poor skin and coat conditions and make shedding more likely.

3. Give them a fatty acid supplement which is designed to keep coats healthy. Again, healthy coat means less damaged hair which equals less shedding.

4. Use furniture covers or car seat covers which can be washed regularly. Furniture attracts hair like moths to a flame so having throws or blankets available will prevent your furniture from becoming hairy!

5. Make sure your pet is not suffering from allergies or fleas by washing them regularly and using flea treatments. When your dog scratches they loosen yet more hair so stopping the scratching will really help.

6. Vacuum regularly, even every day if you have to. This will keep your home clean and free from hair.

7. Make sure your pet has regular checkups at the vet, which will ensure any problems can be identified and treated quickly. A variety of common health issues with dogs and cats can affect the quality of their skin and coats.

8. Use a lint brush or even some sticky sellotape to remove hair when it does get onto your furniture so it is unable to really embed itself in the fabric. By catching it early it is much easier to remove.

Although it is impossible to stop pets shedding their hair, the above ways are all effective at reducing the problem in your home. If any of you have any other ideas about how to stop hair from taking over your home, send in your comments below.

How to keep pet costs down

There can be no denying that keeping a pet, any type of pet, costs money. If you are having money difficulties, the last thing you need are more bills and costs caused by your furry friends. There are a few tricks you can do to make sure the costs are kept to a bare minimum.

Take care of some of your pet’s needs yourself
Minor jobs that your pet needs doing from time to time can easily be done yourself. From brushing teeth to trimming claws, brushing coats and even cleaning ears regularly to avoid infections, you can carry out these tasks with ease. If you are unsure how to carry them out your vet can advise you. Make some notes and then you never have to pay for these services again.

Make sure you are not over-vaccinating
Some vaccinations are no longer required year on year. Ask your vet for clear instructions on what vaccinations are needed and how often. Otherwise money could be being poured down the drain.

Buy your medications online
This is a guaranteed way to save you money, buy all your medications, lotions and treatments for your pet online. The savings available are huge.

Don’t choose the first veterinarian you come across
Instead, shop around so you can compare prices which can differ wildly. Make sure you choose one of high quality though, as this must not be compromised.

Shop around for supplies
Cat litter trays, dog kennels, bird cages and toys can vary in price so make sure you shop around a bit to find the best deals.

Say no to fashion and ‘bling’
Do not buy any unnecessary items for your pet such as fancy collars, clothes and other ‘pet bling’. Let’s face it, your pet gets nothing from it and it just hurts your purse.

Consider pet insurance
There are many different types of insurance available. Make sure you choose one that is cost effective for you. This may be one that includes routine check-ups and procedures, or it may be one that deals only with emergencies or serious illness.

Think before buying your pet ‘a friend’
Try to resist adding to your pet brood. Additional pets mean plenty of additional costs.

Save for end of life care
End of life problems can run up huge bills. It is advisable to start saving now so there aren’t any additional problems of payment to add to an already stressful time.

Don’t necessarily buy the cheapest food
This may cost more in the long run as cheaper food can lead to a host of health problems. Also cheap food can contain ingredients that cause hyperactivity and affect training and behaviour.

Don’t overfeed your pet
Apart from going through the food faster, your pet could gain too much weight. An overweight pet opens a door on further problems relating to health that could cost a small fortune further down the line.

Spay or neuter your pet
Spaying and neutering is important for your pet not just to avoid reproduction, but also so various illnesses like prostrate and ovarian cancer are less likely to occur. Once neutered dogs also roam less, so are less likely to be hit by a car.

Do any of you have any other tips on how to keep pet costs down? Send in your ideas and thoughts for us all to share.