What Every Pet Owner Should Know About Pet Food Ingredients in The UAE

Ingredients in pet food are crucial as they affect the overall health of your pet. Quality pet proteins, chicken, and eggs aid in muscle growth while carbs such as sweet potatoes and rice keep them active. The omega-3 fats they get from sunflower or coconut oil will give your furry friend’s coat a shine while maintaining smooth skin which helps their brain and helps cuts down inflammation. 

This post is dedicated to helping you choose the best pet ingredients to keep your furry friend active and healthy, whether you’re in the UAE or anywhere else! Nutrition is very important so why not start now!

Healthy & Natural Pet Food Ingredients

1. Protein

Protein is necessary for the development and energy of your pet. To make sure your pet receives high-quality protein, you can provide him or her with:   

• Lean Meat: Turkey, Chicken, Lamb or Beef.   
• Eggs: Great source of protein because they come with well-balanced amino acids.      

Ground turkey or chicken with eggs is also a great option for home-cooked meals. Remember protein should constitute the bulk of your pet’s diet.   

Why Protein Matters for Pets

• It helps in the building and repairing of muscles.
• Serves as a vital element for all physiological processes.
• It increases energy and helps in proper metabolism.

Tips for a Protein-Rich Diet

• As a general rule, protein should account for most components of your pet’s meals.
• Always look for added nourishing and raw meat proteins.
• Never include hot dogs and other canned meats or products with preservatives.

2. Healthy Carbohydrates 

While not critical carbohydrates help supply energy and nutrients.  Here’s what to look out for:  

• Sweet Potatoes: Packed with fiber, and potassium as well as vitamin A, vitamin C, and vitamin E.   
• Rice or Oats: Very easy on the stomach and easy to digest.    

Not only do these carbohydrates fight hunger but they are also beneficial to your pet’s nutrition.    

Why Carbohydrates are Beneficial for Pets

• Ensures a reliable energy source.
• Carries bulky parts like fiber alongside the vitamins and minerals. 
• Assist in digestion and support gut health.

How Carbohydrates Support Your Pet’s Health

• Satisfy Hunger: Carbohydrates keep your pet full and content. 
• Support Nutrition: Carbohydrates help provide minerals and vitamins that balance out a protein-heavy diet. 
• Promote Digestion: Sweet potatoes and other fiber-filled carbs improve digestion aid.

3. Fats  

Fats are important to maintain healthy skin as well as a shiny coat. Some fat sources to try include:  

• Sunflower Oil: It contains vitamin E, omega 3, and omega 6 fatty acids.  
• Coconut Oil: It aids in digestion and offers healthy fats.     

To provide the right amount of fat, add one tablespoon of oil per pound of meat.

Why Fats are Important for Pets

• Promote healthy skin and a glossy coat.
• Provide essential fatty acids like omega-3 and omega-6.
• Support brain function and energy levels.

Benefits of Healthy Fats for Pets

• Skin and Coat Health: Fats keep your pet’s skin moisturized and their coat shiny.
• Digestive Support: Oils like coconut oil aid in digestion and nutrient absorption.
• Energy Boost: Fats provide a concentrated source of energy for active pets.

4. Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Omega-3s are necessary for the brain’s functionality, inflammation mitigation, and for keeping a pet’s coat shiny. Use:

• Krill oil or fish oil: Administer 500 mg for every 20 pounds of body weight.

This measure in a supplement can enhance your pet’s health considerably.

Why Omega-3 Fatty Acids are Important for Pets

• Brain Health: Supports cognitive function and development.
• Inflammation Reduction: Helps manage joint pain and inflammatory conditions.
• Skin and Coat: Promotes a shiny, healthy coat and reduces skin dryness.

How Omega-3s Enhance Your Pet’s Health

• Brain Function: Improves learning, memory, and cognitive abilities.
• Joint Health: Reduces stiffness and supports mobility, especially in older pets.
• Skin and Coat: Prevents dryness, and itching, and promotes a glossy coat.

5. Calcium

If your cat or dog doesn’t eat bones, then add calcium supplements to their diet. For instance, try this option:

• Ground eggshells: Add ½ a teaspoon of the ground, baked, and pulverized eggshells to every pound of meat to be fed. 

This method ensures your pet gets the calcium needed for healthy bones and teeth.

Why Calcium is Important for Pets

• Bone Development: Aids in the growth and upkeep of strong bones.
• Dental Care: It keeps teeth in good shape and prevents any dental problems.
• Muscle Contraction: Facilitates efficient muscle contraction and nerve functioning.

How Calcium Supports Your Pet’s Health

• Bone Growth: Makes sure that bones grow properly and helps in avoiding bone-related problems.
• Teeth Health: Protects the teeth from weakening and lessens the chances of mouth and gum infections.
• General Health: Aids muscle and nerve functions to promote a better lifestyle.

6. Dark Leafy Greens

Vegetables such as kale, spinach, and carrots are excellent sources of vitamins and minerals. These include:

• Vitamins A and C: This is beneficial to the immune system.
• Calcium and potassium: These are good for bones and muscles.

Be sure to chop or lightly steam these greens before adding them to the pet’s food.

Why Dark Leafy Greens are Beneficial for Pets

• Support Immunity: Dark Leafy Greens are good sources of vitamins A and C that support immune function. 
• Maintain Strong Bones and Muscles: Dark Leafy Greens contain calcium and potassium which help in the development of strong bones. 
• Promote Good Digestion: The Dark Leafy Greens are high in fiber, which aids in healthy digestion. 

Key Nutrients in Dark Leafy Greens

• Vitamins A and C: These two vitamins enhance the body’s resistance to infection and are crucial for healthy skin and vision. 
• Potassium: It aids bone strength and muscle performance. 
• Calcium: It aids in digestion and supports gut health.

7. Fiber

For gut and digestion purposes, fiber is essential. This includes:

• Sweet potatoes: An excellent source that is high in fiber.
• Ground flaxseed: For even more fiber, add one teaspoon to each cup of food. 

Fiber support keeps the digestive system functioning properly.

Why Fiber is Important for Pets

• Digestive Health: Helps avoid constipation, treats it, and ensures that there are regular bowel movements. 
• Gut health: Improves gut health.
• Weight management: Assists your pet in feeling fuller which helps in reducing weight overly.

How Fiber Supports Your Pet’s Health

• Digestive Regularity: Reduces chances of constipation or diarrhea. 
• Gut Microbiome: Improves gut health by feeding the good beneficial gut bacteria. 
• Weight Control: Helps to take control of the weight by keeping your pet feeling full.

8. Vitamins and Minerals

Some of the essential vitamins and minerals that are useful include:

• Vitamin D: Egg yolks. 
• Vitamin E: Sunflower oil.
• B Vitamins: Found in Kale and Sweet Potatoes  
• Iron and Zinc: Sourced from Meat and Leafy Vegetables  
• Iodine: For Thyroid Health, Consumed from Egg Yolks.  
• Potassium: Present in Sweet Potatoes.  

If meeting nutritional requirements seems challenging, it’s worth looking into comprehensive multivitamin pills for pets.

Why Vitamins and Minerals are Important for Pets

• Immune System Protection: enabling the body to be able to protect itself against diseases.
• Production of Energy: Aiding in the conversion of nutrients from food into usable energy.
• Support of Bones and Muscles: Helping maintain strong bones and proper muscle growth and performance.
• Thyroid and Metabolic Function: Responsible for hormone and metabolic control.

How to Ensure Your Pet Gets Enough Vitamins and Minerals

• Balanced Diet: In addition to eggs and meat, pets should also eat leafy vegetables and sweet potatoes.
• Supplementation: In cases where your pet’s requirements cannot be met, comprehensive multivitamin pills manufactured for pets can be used.
• Consult Your Vet: Talk to a veterinarian if in doubt before implementing any changes to your pet’s diet.

Why These Ingredients Matter

Incorporating all of these ingredients into your pet’s diet ensures that they get the nutrients needed for: 

• A strong immune system.

• Healthy digestion.

• Shiny coats and healthy skin.

• Strong bones and teeth.

Whichever option you choose, homemade or commercial pet food in the UAE, make sure these generous, raw ingredients are at the top of your pet’s nourishment schedule.

Understanding Pet Food Labels

Learn to read the pet food label by breaking down the Guaranteed Analysis, AAFCO Statement, and Important Nutrient Ingredients. This will assist you in selecting the most appropriate food for your animal’s health status and life stage.

Key Components of Pet Food Labels

1. Guaranteed Analysis

Lists minimum or maximum percentages of essential nutrients:

• Minimum Crude Protein
• Minimum Crude Fat
• Maximum Crude Fiber
• Maximum Moisture

Example: A minimum of 25% protein means the food has at least 25% protein but could have more.

2. AAFCO Statement

It states that the food is adequate for certain stages wherein nutrition is necessary (e.g. growth, maintenance). Check to confirm that it is complete and balanced. 

3. Key Nutrient Ingredients

• Taurine (cats): Important for the heart and eye function.  
• Calcium to Phosphorus Ratio (puppies): Avoids skeletal problems.  
• Fatty Acids: Essential for a healthy skin and coat.  
• Sodium/Chloride: Essential for heart or kidney-challenged pets.

7 Harmful Pet Food Ingredients to Avoid for a Healthier Dog or Cat

Feeding your pets is not solely about providing their meals, but also about making sure what goes in doesn’t harm them. A significant number of pet foods sold in the market contain pet-damaging ingredients that, in the long run, can spell disaster for your pet’s health. Here are the 7 most harmful ingredients known that your pet food should not contain: 

1. Artificial Colors and Flavors Used Preservatives: BHA, BHT, and Oxyquin are frequently used colors in pet foods to make them appealing and catch the eye of consumers. While using such colors is pleasing, they are directly linked to severe health conditions such as cancer alongside multiple organ damage. Instead, choose foods that are preserved with natural ingredients such as Vitamin E to get maximum health benefits. 
2. Mercury Toxins Gained From Fish: Fats are an essential part of your dog’s diet, but not in any form. Keeping your pet healthy does not mean feeding them everything that is packed with calories and fats. Fish as a food item can be beneficial, however, fish byproducts such as fish meal and even fish oil are steeped with mercury, which leads to poisoning and health deterioration in the long run. 
3. Organization Dysfunction, Cancer, and Autoimmune Diseases Out Of Additive Ingredients: These colors give artificial appeal to the food and are non-nutritional to pets all. They serve the purpose of pleasing humans rather than providing any health benefit to pets. These additives are known to cause myriad health issues including, but not limited to autoimmune diseases, cancer, and malady of organ systems. Natural ingredient-based pet food should always be preferred.
4. Teflon Chemicals: Pets carry the risk of having serious diseases due to PFC chemically as they are cancerogenic. The rankling coating inside pet bags is a true cancer risk and possesses PFCs that have Teflon chemicals. As a solution to this problem, try to look for a pet food for your furry friend that is packaged in a safer material. 
5. BPA: Canned pet foods are known for having BPA (Biphenyl A) which triggers hormonal changes and endocrine problems in household pets. When exposed, cats suffer from hyperthyroidism. There is also a rapprochement calculated to exist between BPA exposure and cats with hyperthyroidism. Always avoid BPA whenever possible. 
6. Sodium Pentobarbital: It is the second biggest cause of sports recalls. Pets have been known to exhibit these symptoms when consuming sodium-pentobarbital. The label warning ‘animal by-products’ and ‘animal by-products meal’ are risky fillers that a pet parent needs to take heed of if they wish to shelter their beloved companion from exposure.
7. Arsenic: Excessive doses of arsenic are extremely harmful and are found resting on the decaying health of rice-based pet foods. Not nova. PhD Arsenic can be extremely detrimental to a kanak’s cat. In addition, try to stretch the ratio as much as possible to increase the exposure to this dainty.

Limited Ingredient Pet Food

For pets that itch frequently, a food allergy could be the reason behind it. If this is the case, preparing a limited-ingredient diet for them would be ideal. But a new study suggests these diets are not “limited” as they claim to be. In this article, we will discuss the findings and what every pet owner needs to know before using these diets for allergy testing.

The Problem with Limited-Ingredient Diets

One study conducted tested 21 over-the-counter limited-ingredient diets made available to the masses that were marketed as using a single protein source like a duck. To my shock:

• 1 out of 21 diets completely omitted the single protein mentioned.
• 20 out of 21 diets omitted ingredients. 

For instance, Duck proteins-only diets would label their product as such but use beef among other proteins which can be contaminated in the protein processing factories.

Implications for Food Allergy Testing

If you’re trying to figure out what food allergies your pet might have with an elimination diet, those unknown proteins will greatly affect the accuracy of the results. Simply put, your animal may continue being exposed to allergens rendering the symptoms you are seeing, as well as the true cause, impossible to determine.

What Can You Do?

Homemade Diets: If you are attempting to conduct a controlled diet experiment for a, then you should try feeding your pets single-source proteins and single-source carbohydrates cooked by yourself.