You can decide if the litigation described in this article is necessary or accurate. The context is important, as is what animal health pros can learn from it and the inherent call to action, which is pet owners need nutritional counseling and guidance.
There is no question that pet diet labels have become more confusing over time pitting marketing perceptions against dietary values and ingredient variety. Individual pet minimum energy requirements (measured in Kcals) further challenges even educated pet owners. A stroll through retail pet store pet food isles confuses diet choice issues even more.
Source: Pet Food Industry, January 24, 2020. Link. The Merck Veterinary Manual <link> lists the recommended nutrients for dogs, along with the recommended amount by weight and age. Large breed dogs <link>and puppies have different nutritional requirements than small breed dogs <link>and puppies.
Also see: How to read a dog food label, AKC, February 4, 2020. Link. Hundreds of brands with innumerable ingredients; wet, dry, and raw food; age-specific food; restricted diets, along with all sorts of advertising and marketing claims to decipher.
The label is the best tool to use when you make a choice. . . but can often be hard to understand.”
Also see: Grooming and nutrition go hand in hand, Groomer to Groomer, February 2020, page 12. Link. Jonathan David shares why nutrition is an important consideration for groomers.
INSIGHTS: Until recently, I never received nutritional counseling from my veterinarian. I reviewed an experience with my sixth dog in a recent post <link> including the challenge of determining the daily amount of Kcals from treats. Because of the difficulty of deciphering labels, veterinary and retail team members need to refresh their knowledge of labeling requirements and calculating minimum energy requirements.
After reviewing the AKC article with your team, consider sharing it every two to three months on social media, in newsletters and as part of annual visits.