Amidst the worldwide pandemic of COVID-19, many are discovering the small joys in life bring the greatest comfort. For those finding themselves home more during this season, one of those joys includes spending more time with furry friends.
As our bonds strengthen and with more time on our hands, many pawrents (pet parents) are doing more research regarding their pet’s daily diet. Reading the label on pet food is one simple way to discover a host of ingredients that may not necessarily belong.
What Pet Food Ingredients To Avoid
Understanding the ingredients in pet food is critical to ensuring your pet receives the best nutrition possible for a long, healthy, and happy life.
While animal protein such as chicken, boar, beef, or turkey may be common, additional ingredients such as animal by-products, generic meat products such as meat meal, bone meal, or nondescript meat should raise a red flag. Looking for recognizable and real meats is crucial to ensuring these ingredients contain the natural nutrients and protein for your dog.
Here are a few other ingredients to avoid:
- salt
- preservatives
- artificial colors
- corn syrup
- nitrates
- wheat
- corn
- soy
- MSG
Pet Food Trends
The pet food industry has taken off in the past few years as consumers are becoming more sensitive to what they’re putting in their own bodies, and in turn, in their pets’ bodies. In 2019, the United States pet food industry saw 2.2 billion in sales, a 75% increase from 2017. Nielsen ratings show that your customers are choosing to spend more on higher quality, healthier pet products.
Winning Vegetable Combinations
Vegetable blends are the unsung heroes of healthy, premium pet food recipes. Dehydrated vegetables are an essential ingredient in many varieties of pet foods because they provide an invaluable solution to the ingredient makeup. Instead of using the dreaded carb fillers that make your customers wary, hearty vegetable blends take their place. Pumpkin, butternut squash, kale, sweet potato, peas, and spinach are the new carbohydrates of pet food. They carry essential vitamins while giving pets lots of energy.
If your recipes involve meat, consider the different blends that complement the protein you’re using. Turkey can flourish with sweet potato and kale. Chicken pairs well with peas and butternut squash. Spinach and pumpkin complement beef.
Here are a few of the products where vegetable blends can shine:
- Dried grain or non-grain based pet food
- Wet pet food
- Dry & wet treats
- Nutritional supplements
Health Benefits of Vegetable Blends
Kale and spinach are famous for being super greens. They’re rich in antioxidants and have minerals like iron and manganese.
The winter and fall veggies are rich in flavor and nutrient-dense. Pumpkin, sweet potato, and butternut squash have high levels of fiber, potassium, Vitamin A, and anti-inflammatory benefits.
Peas are a great source of protein, contain iron, and also have vitamins B and C.
Customized Vegetable Blends
Seawind Foods keeps your costs low while delivering our highest quality dried foods. Our mission is to work alongside you and help bring your next revolutionary pet food recipes to life. Whether it’s a certain configuration or mixture, we can customize your vegetable blends to your specific needs.
Chat with us about how a dried vegetable blend can enhance your next pet food masterpiece.
