UNDERSTANDING PET FOOD

Similar to human foods, ingredients used in pet foods come from a number of sources. Many are obtained directly from animal or plant raw materials, but they can also be manufactured (or synthesized) and are referred to as ‘synthetic’ ingredients. What types of synthetic ingredients are used in pet foods and what is their role?

Purina was the first to use prebiotics in pet food and is a leader in the field. What are the benefits of prebiotics to pets?

Probiotics offer many benefits, but with so many options available, pet owners may not know how to select the best quality and most appropriate one for their pet's needs

Salt is an important component in pet foods and is involved in a number of critical functions in the body. With recommendations to restrict salt intake in people, does the same apply to pets?

Soy can provide nutritional advantages for pets, but pet owners often question the quality and health impacts of this ingredient.

The small amounts of sugar in pet foods have important functions, but pet owners often view sugar as an ingredient that only adds calories and causes obesity or diabetes.

Dietary antioxidants support pet health and help preserve the nutritional quality of pet food. Learn more about the important ways that antioxidants contribute to better, longer lives for pets.

Dietary carbohydrates in pet food help meet the pet’s physiological need for glucose. However, due to the ancestral origins of dogs and cats, some owners may question whether carbohydrates should be a part of their pets’ diet.

Pets obtain essential fatty acids from their diet. What are these fatty acids, and how do they support pet health?