Cheap food may not be a bargain

By Karen Ann Wilson
Copyright 1999 St. Petersburg Times
July 14, 1998

Question: A recent Consumer Reports stated that grocery store brands of dog food are, in general, just as nutritious as the fancy brands (Science Diet, Iams), implying that it is a waste of money to feed these "better" foods.

Ol' Roy, a Wal-Mart brand, was rated as one of the best. Please clarify this for me (I realize that you sell Science Diet).

I have a "senior" dog and want to feed her the best food I can without spending a fortune. - C.W., Tampa

Answer: According to the Hill's Co., which manufactures Science Diet pet foods, the Consumer Reports article was misleading. The article focused on meeting minimum nutrient guidelines set by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) and the lowest cost for a standardized calorie amount. These criteria alone are inadequate to fairly judge pet foods.

There is a lot more to consider in providing optimal nutrition to your pet than finding the least expensive food that he or she will eat even if it does meet minimum AAFCO nutrient guidelines. These minimum guidelines do not recognize the importance of optimum nutrient levels and avoidance of nutrient excesses.

Research has shown that nutrient excess can be just as harmful to animals as not getting enough nutrients, particularly for critical nutrients such as fat, sodium, phosphorus, magnesium and calcium. This is especially important in your senior dog. Science Diet and Iams do have a life stage approach to pet nutrition that targets the special nutritional needs dictated by your pet's age and condition.

I understand that cost may be the primary factory for some pet owners. Hill's maintains that the cost-per-feeding information for Science Diet was overstated in the article by as much as 100 percent. The higher the quality of ingredients, the more the pet is able to absorb, thus the pet can be fed less food to get the same nutrient requirements as a lower quality food.

The cost per feeding of Science Diet products is only pennies a day more than national grocery store brands. Superior quality ingredients equate to better digestibility, stool quality and quantity, and skin and coat health.

I would encourage you to consult with your veterinarian to determine if your pet has special nutritional needs. - Doug Metzler, DVM, Oakhurst Veterinary Hospital, Seminole

Compiled by Karen Ann Wilson, a certified veterinary technician. Please send questions to Ask a Vet, Pinellas Animal Foundation, P.O. Box 47771, St. Petersburg, FL 33743-7771. Because of the volume of mail received, questions can be answered only in this column.