What’s the best pet food? Organic or processed? The only way to find out is to learn more about each option.
You can do that by reading this article. We are going to tackle the debate on processed vs organic pet food so that you can provide the best diet for your precious pet.
The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) claims that organic foods are, “produced through approved methods.”
What are those approved methods?
The USDA explains, saying, those methods, “integrate cultural, biological and mechanical practices that foster cycling of resources, promote ecological balance and conserve biodiversity.”
In other words, organic production involves sustainable practices that help, rather than harm, our world. Such practices do not use, “Synthetic fertilizers, sewage sludge, irradiation and genetic engineering”.
You also won’t find any pesticides, artificial flavors, colors, preservatives, growth hormones, or antibiotics in organic food products.
As a result, organic foods tend to be higher in nutrients and are safer for animal and human consumption.
Products that meet organic requirements receive the USDA Certified Organic label. In order to maintain its organic status, a pet food brand must keep in-depth records of its activities. Its operations are also inspected on a regular basis.
There are three different types of organic labels:
- 100% Organic - This indicates that all ingredients are organic.
- Organic - This label reveals that 95% or more of the ingredients are organic.
- Made with Organic - This label means that 70% or more of the ingredients meet organic standards.
Check out this post to learn more about organic pet food!
Now that we’ve established what organic pet food is, let’s turn our attention towards processed food. This option typically contains many questionable ingredients.
Some of those ingredients include:
- Preservatives
- Artificial colors
- Binders
- Unhealthy fats
- By-products
Marketing claims are often used to convince pet owners that processed foods are the safest option and provide a balanced diet, with all the right nutrients in just the right amounts.
But when looking at the looooong ingredient list on most processed food packages, do you really believe those claims?
The reality is, those ingredients could cause health problems down the road if your pet regularly consumes them.
And just what are those by-products you see on that list of ingredients?
Here’s a small number of the many possible examples:
- Euthanized pets
- Fish oil contaminated by heavy metals
- Livestock contaminated by pesticides and antibiotics
- Roadkill
- Deceased zoo animals
When comparing processed to organic pet food, it becomes clear that organic food is safer for your fur baby while processed food is less nutritious and could cause health problems.
Check out this post to learn more about the pros and cons of processed pet food.
Best Organic Pet Food Brands
If you have decided that an organic product is the best pet food for your furry friend, shop carefully. Be on guard against deceptive marketing tactics, such as throwing the word “Organic” in big bold letters on pet food labels.
Although some pet food brands claim to be organic, don’t be so quick to believe them. First, take a closer look at their products.
If you don’t find the USDA organic seal, those companies have not gone through the official certification process. That means you don’t really know whether or not their products meet the USDA organic standards.
Of course, you could do further research on the company. You could even reach out to the company and ask what makes their products organic.
We know how hard it is to find high-quality pet food. To make this task a little easier on you, we have listed five of the best organic pet food brands.
Each one offers cat and dog food formulas. Check them out below!
Not only is this product USDA organic certified, but it’s also free of wheat, corn, and soy, making it the perfect choice for pets that have trouble digesting grains.
If you liked the previous brand but your pet prefers wet food, this option is probably the right choice. It’s the same brand, but in wet food form.
This organic pet food brand offers salmon, chicken, and turkey-based formulas. The company’s salmon products have earned the MSC label for sustainable seafood, and the chicken and turkey products have attained GAP certification for the humane treatment of animals.
Here is another excellent, nutritious organic pet food brand that offers different flavors, including organic chicken, turkey, and beef. Any of those choices are certain to delight your pet’s taste buds!
This pet food contains organic chicken and health-promoting omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids. It’s loaded with good nutrition and doesn’t contain any genetically engineered ingredients, by-products, artificial colors, flavors, preservatives, antibiotics, or growth hormones.
What About People Food for Pets?
We’ve talked about store-bought pet foods, but can pets eat human food too?
Yes, there are certain human foods that are considered pet-safe. But there are also foods that should never be given to your four-legged friend.
We have listed examples of pet-safe and pet-toxic human foods down below.
But keep in mind, these lists aren’t exhaustive. They are simply intended to give you an idea of what you can and can’t safely feed your pet.
Never give your pet a new food without first looking it up to make sure it’s safe for animal consumption.
And remember, your pet might have food sensitivities, making it difficult for your beloved companion to digest some of the foods that are deemed safe for pets.
So, always pay attention to how a particular food affects your pet. If it causes trouble, don’t feed it to your pet again even if it’s on the pet-safe list.
Pet-Safe People Food
- Eggs - Chopped up hard boiled eggs are a great addition to store-bought pet food.
- Poultry - Chicken and turkey are excellent sources of nutrition for pets, as long as they aren’t cooked with onions, garlic, or other pet-toxic ingredients.
- Fish - Plain salmon is super healthy for pets. Roast, poach, grill, steam, or bake it.
- Blueberries - You can serve this tasty treat fresh or frozen.
- Spinach - An occasional serving of spinach is perfectly fine.
- Bananas - Try mashing them up and mixing them into your pet’s meal as a treat.
- Cantaloupe - Cut this melon into smaller pieces for a tasty snack.
- Pumpkin - Frozen pumpkin is a fantastic treat that many pets love.
- Yogurt - Choose plain yogurt over flavored products, and make sure it doesn’t contain added sweeteners.
- Carrots - Dogs can eat raw carrots but cats should have them cooked.
- Organ meats - These are full of great nutrition for your pet.
Human Foods That Pets Shouldn’t Eat
- Chocolate
- Coffee
- Avocadoes
- Nuts
- Grapes
- Raisins
- Onions
- Garlic
- Yeast
- Citrus fruits
We’ve talked about organic and processed pet food. We’ve also answered the common question, “Can pets eat human food?”
At this point, the information you’ve learned should help you provide the best pet food. Deciding between organic and processed food is an important part of that responsibility.
Remember, the food you give to your furball impacts your pet’s health. So, be sure to choose wisely!