Is it okay to feed processed pet food to your fur baby? You can come to your own conclusion by learning about the pros and cons of processed pet food.
Pros of Processed Pet Food
Here’s what makes processed pet food so appealing.
More Convenient
What could be easier than pouring dry kibble out of a bag? It takes very little time and doesn’t require any effort.
Easy to Find
Finding processed pet food is usually no trouble at all. Your grocery store probably has a large section devoted to this product.
Cost Effective
Many processed pet food brands offer their products at low prices. This is very helpful if you are on a tight budget.
So Many Options!
We all have different budgets to work with, and each pet is unique. With so many brands out there, you will find exactly what you and your four-legged friend need.
Cons of Processed Pet Food
Now it’s time to go over the cons? Ready? Then keep reading!
Full of Questionable Ingredients
Sure, there are some processed pet foods that could be considered healthy. But the bulk of them contain ingredients that might jeopardize your pet’s health.
These include:
- By-products
- Fillers
- Preservatives
- Artificial colors
It requires a good deal of time and effort to find a processed pet food that doesn’t contain those ingredients.
Could Cause Health Problems
Many processed pet foods contain soy, corn, and wheat. This can cause your pet to exhibit allergy symptoms such as dry, itchy skin.
Unfortunately, those symptoms aren’t the only possible health consequences. Your pet might develop:
- Digestive disorders
- Diabetes
- Liver disease
- Cancer
- Or other diseases
Risk of Contamination
Processed pet food may become contaminated. This has been seen many times when big brands were forced to issue recalls.
Now that you know the pros and cons of processed pet food, you should be able to decide if this type of food really is the right choice for your pet.
If you want more options, check out the pros and cons of organic pet food! And don't forget to read our post about processed vs organic pet food.