Why You Should Pay Attention to Food Packaging Labels.

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One of the great benefits of being a member of this blog is that Lacey and her human Lauren give us great updates when there are problems with manufactured pet foods and whenever there is a pet food recall.  That’s one of the reasons that Lacey’s homemade treats are so great, you don’t have to worry about a recall when you buy homemade.  But it isn’t just big scary things that you need to think about when it comes to pet food.  You need to actually give some thought to your pet food and be actively engaged when buying it.  Why?

Well, recently, I received some news about a change in the dog food all the puppy raiser’s use for our guide dog puppies that while not dangerous to a dog’s health, could cause some stomach distress and upset if the owner wasn’t paying attention.

REFORMULATED DOG FOOD: WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR YOU AND YOUR DOG?

Hill’s Science Diet is reformulating and repackaging a lot of their food for cats and dogs for 2013.  In fact, some of it hit the shelves in 2012.  According to Hill’s almost all of the dry Science diet foods will be reformulated.  Hill’s said that the relaunch was to give consumers the same superior nutrition in addition to our unparalleled quality & safety, with more of the ingredients they prefer, in new packaging that makes it easier to find in stores. The dog food line will be first, followed by the cat food line, according to Hill’s website.

What this means for you as a pet owner is big: you can’t just go out and get a bag of this new food and switch your pet over to it.  You will need to TAKE AN ENTIRE WEEK in order to transition to the new reformulated food.

“What?! An entire week?  That’s crazy!” You say.

Well, trust me.  If you don’t do this change in a slow and gradual way, you will be forcing a brand new food onto your pup and his/her stomach will rebel.  Then you will be woken up in the middle of the night with either a mess to clean up or have to go outside with your pooch several times as they have explosive diarrhea to recover from the introduction of said new food.  Why would you do that to your loved one?

READ THE BAG!!

That’s why it is so important to pay attention to food labels on all of pet food.  If you ever see the words NEW AND IMPROVED or REFORMULATED, just think to yourself, I will need to gradually introduce this to my pet.  If you ever change to a new brand of food, gradually change over.

But the best way to not be caught off guard is to never wait until the last moment.  In other words, don’t wait until you have three little kibbles at the bottom of the barrel.  Then you are stuck!  You will need to buy a small bag of the old (if they have it!) and then a big bag of the new.

NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTION: BE ORGANIZED

  • So this year, make a plan to be organized.
  • Don’t wait until the last minute to shop for Fifi.  Make sure you aren’t caught by surprise if your food supplier changes the formulation.
  • And don’t be asleep at the wheel: read the pet food bag!  If it says new and improved, you have some work to do.

Contact Cheryl at mcleacd@gmail.com

Written by: Cheryl on January 5, 2013.
Last revised by: Lacey

2 thoughts on “Why You Should Pay Attention to Food Packaging Labels.”

  1. It is always a great idea to ease your dog into new food. Lacey has a strong stomach but If i switch her food I will always do it over a week period. Also new and improved always doesn’t mean improved like Cheryl says in the post make sure you read the ingredients on the label.

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