South African pet owners are paying closer attention to their own food, yet many still focus on claims printed on the front of a pet food bag rather than the ingredients listed on the back.
International Dog Day on 26 August offers a reminder to look more closely at the nutrition supporting the health and wellbeing of dogs and cats.
Sonja Maricevic, Chief Operations Officer at Pack Leader, says pet owners should approach animal nutrition with the same curiosity applied to their own diets.
“Understanding what is actually inside the bag empowers owners to make informed decisions based on ingredient quality, rather than relying solely on marketing claims,” says Maricevic, who has more than 15 years’ experience in pet health and nutrition.
Start With the Ingredient List
Maricevic recommends checking the ingredient list before buying pet food.
Look for clearly named meat among the first ingredients, along with recognisable whole-food ingredients.
Owners should also consider whether the recipe contains unnecessary fillers, artificial additives or highly processed ingredients. The formulation should reflect the biological needs of either dogs or cats.
Look Beyond Vague Ingredient Names
Depending on the formulation, some pet foods include vague animal or plant derivatives, by-products, generic meals, industrial grains, lower-cost fillers, artificial flavours or preservatives.
One ingredient does not automatically make a food good or bad. The complete formulation provides a clearer view of the product’s nutritional quality.
Reading the full list helps owners make informed decisions rather than depending on packaging claims.
Signs Linked to a Pet’s Overall Nutrition
A pet’s diet is sometimes reflected in everyday physical or behavioural signs.
Areas worth monitoring include:
- Digestive problems
- Poor-quality stools
- Fluctuating energy levels
- Unexplained weight gain
- Itchy skin
- Red ears or paws
- Poor coat condition
- Fussiness during meals
- Declining mobility
These signs have many possible causes and should not automatically be linked to diet alone. They still provide a reason to review a pet’s overall nutrition.
Dogs and Cats Have Different Needs
Dogs and cats have specific nutritional requirements. Their needs also change throughout different life stages.
Older pets need enough quality protein to support muscle mass, mobility and overall condition.
“Dogs and cats have specific biological and nutritional needs, and the quality of the ingredients used to meet those needs matters,” says Maricevic.
Consider the Quality of the Full Recipe
Maricevic says diets relying heavily on fast carbohydrates and lower-quality fillers might contribute to weight gain without offering the nutritional value pets need.
Highly processed ingredients and artificial flavours might also affect digestion, energy and appetite.
The ingredient list often provides more useful information than the promises displayed on the front of the packaging.
“If you wouldn’t be comfortable eating anonymous ingredients or highly processed fillers yourself, it’s worth asking whether you are comfortable with them being a regular part of your pet’s diet,” says Maricevic.
Taking a few extra moments to turn the bag around gives you more information about the food you are choosing for your pet.
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