How Is Your Pet Food Sold

This is one of the most important aspects when choosing a pet food, next to ingredients, which is another story. Why? Freshness, safe handling, storage, what conditions has the pet food been exposed to?

Due to 50+ years of the same old distribution practices, the industry standard for distributing pet food that is sold in the national chain stores is 6 months of inventory up-front for future sales.

This means your pet food could be anywhere from 6 to 18 months old, what does this mean for your beloved pet:

Nutrient loss, possible spoilage, insecticides sprayed to keep bugs and rodents away. We have seen pet food set on semi-trailers for 6 months or more in the freezing cold and scorching sun because there was no room in the warehouse.

Shopping for your pet's meal can sometimes be as confusing as shopping for an electronic device such as a cell phone.

Which one is the best? Am I getting a good deal? Is there any fine print? How reliable is this company? Everyone wants to give their pet the best there is, but often it is a difficult task because of all the different choices of pet foods available.

The most curious part about all this is, there are pet food companies that sell pet food for $15-$25. That same company will sell a "better" pet food for more money with virtually the same ingredients

Does this make any sense? If commercial pet food companies cared about our pets why would they offer us a lower grade pet food?

Seems like they are more concerned about what we can afford than the well being of our companion animals.

The next time you're in a pet food chain store take a look at all the varieties of one brand, why so many?

Shelf space competition, the more you see of "me" chances are you're going to purchase "me". Most pet foods on the market today are formulated by marketing design not what is best for my pet.

Over $300 million is spent each year on pet food advertising, which contains statements or visions that are misleading. Fresh cuts of meat, vegetables, wholesome grains, these pet foods also contain by-products, harmful preservatives, wheat gluten, soy and other ingredients you would never knowingly feed your pet.