Scottsdale Pet Expert » pet health

Feeding your pet quality food cost less!!!

Danielle — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 20:05:33 +0000

To read the full report of this email visit www.TruthAboutPetFood.com/SaveMoney.html

This is one of those things that nobody is going to believe at first glance. Many will probably dismiss it completely as a hoax. But if you are a pet owner AND if you want to save money, this is something you will find very interesting. Pet owners can save BIG feeding their pet a high end, high priced dog food or cat food. Many of you are already aware of the health benefits from feeding a high end pet food – you’ve witnessed the changes happen right before your eyes. I’ve taken the ‘benef it’ issue one step further. I’ve been worried that because of higher gas prices and grocery prices that pet owners might be turning to the seeming discount brands of pet foods to save a few bucks. What I discovered is jaw dropping amazing. I’ve been studying pet food for many years now and never took the time to examine what I spend – per day/per year – to feed my dogs and cat. Then I compared that cost per serving to feeding them one of the highly advertised pet foods. I save hundreds of dollars a year feeding them high priced, high quality foods – I’m not talking about the savings in vet bills – just the actual cost of the pet food. So here’s the story…

Dog and cat owners have the overwhelming task of deciding between hundreds, if not thousands of different types of dog foods and cat foods. They all look similar; similar pictures of happy pets and healthy ingredients on the bag, and all claim 100% Complete Nutrition, Premium, and/or Choice. With higher gas prices, higher grocery prices many pet owners are turning to what appears to be the most economical, lower priced dog foods and cat foods. However you might be surprised – pet foods that appear to be cheaper according to the price of the bag or can, actually cost far more than the highest priced, high end pet foods.

The truth of the matter is the discount pet food brand is actually more expensive per serving than many of the highest priced brands. Yes, you read that correctly. The explanation for this is found on the feeding instructions and the ingredients in the pet food itself. Every pet is different, and the amount of food your pet eats per day also varies with age and activity level. But according to the feeding instructions as researched and recommended by each pet food manufacturer, you will probably be surprised at the cost per serving.

I did a little experiment – a math experiment. I compared four different dry dog foods, four different canned dog foods, four different dry cat foods and four different canned cat foods. The comparison shows you the first five ingredients of each food, gives you definitions of the pet food ingredients, tells you if ingredients are from U.S. only sources or if imports are used. And then you see price per serving of all these foods.

Here is what I learned… According to the web site of one of the most popular brands of dog food sold in the U.S. – the feeding instructions tell you that a thirty pound dog would need to eat around three cups of food per day. The cost of this pet food breaks down to being about $.67 per cup. So that means Fido would eat $2.01 worth of dog food each day according to the recommended feeding instructions on the label.

But on the other hand from the web site of a high end, all human grade ingredients, all U.S. ingredients dog food – the feeding instructions tell you that a thirty pound dog would need to eat around 1 ½ cups of food per day. The cost of this food is about $1.16 per cup. This food seems to be about twice as expensive as the popular brand. However, according to the recommended feeding amount, Fido would eat $1.74 worth of dog food each day. That’s a savings of $.27 per day to feed your dog a high quality, human grade ingredients, no risky imports dog food. A savings of $98.00 per year feeding a thirty pound dog high end, high priced dog food.

Interesting huh! Now, let’s look at canned cat food. Again, from the label of one of the most popular brands of canned cat food sold in the U.S., the feeding instructions recommend a fifteen pound cat to eat five – 3 oz cans per day. At $.80 cents per 3 oz. can – Fluffy would be consuming $4.00 worth of cat food each day according to the recommended feeding instructions on the label.

But with a high end, all human grade ingredients, all U.S. ingredients canned cat food, the feeding instructions tell you a fifteen pound cat should eat three 5.5 ounce cans per day. At a cost of $1.29 per 5.5 oz. can ($.26 per ounce) – Fluffly would be consuming $3.87 worth of cat food each day. That is a savings of $.13 per day to feed your cat a high quality, human grade ingredients, no risky imports cat food. A savings of $47.00 per year feeding the high end, high priced cat food!

Then I looked at my own pets, and the savings I have feeding them one of the highest priced, highest quality pet food. Two dogs, one cat – I save over $868.70 per year. No I don’t buy in bulk – no I don’t use coupons or frequent feeder programs. I buy twenty pound bags of dog food and six pound bags of cat food – AND I pay shipping charges (UPS) to have it delivered to my door. I still save over $850.00 a year compared to one the cost of one of the most popular, highly advertised pet foods sold – a cheaper pet food when you look at the cost per bag. To be fair, I feed my senior 97 pound German Shepherd less than what the pet food recommends. That’s due to his age (not as active), but it’s also credit to the high quality ingredients in the food. My other pets eat just about exactly per day what the food recommends.

Feeding amounts do vary from pet to pet. However each pet food manufacturer has done extensive research and testing to know how much food needs to be provided each day to your dog and cat. The recommended feeding amounts provided on each pet food bag or can is fairly accurate.

Please don’t look at the price of the bag or can of pet food when considering what to feed your pet. Look at the ingredients and consider cost per serving. Avoid pet foods with ingredients like by-products and chemical preservatives (BHA, BHT, ethoxyquin). Learn if ingredients are from U.S. sources. The actual savings of purchasing high quality dog and cat foods goes far beyond dollars per year – the true savings could be years added to your pet’s life.

To try this test yourself here is how you calculate cost per serving of pet food…

Dry Food
XYZ Dog Food sells for $12.00 for an eight pound bag.
Eight pounds into $12.00 = $1.50 per pound
Two cups (estimate) per pound = $.75 per cup.
Multiply suggested feeding amount (cups per day) X cost per cup = Cost per serving.

Can Food
XYZ Cat Food sells for $19.00 for a case of 24-3 oz cans.
Twenty four into $19.00 = $.80 per can
Multiply suggested feeding amount (cans per day) X cost per can = Cost per serving.

The full report of ‘Save Money on Dog Food or Cat Food – Buy Expensive’ was too long to publish here. If you’d like to read it, and see the chart comparisons visit www.TruthAboutPetFood.com/SaveMoney.html.

Compare ingredients and cost per serving of your pet’s food – you might be very surprised.

By the way, it is best to feed adult dogs and cats twice a day. The nutrition provided in just one meal a day is difficult for your pet to utilize over a 24 hour period. If you currently only feed one meal a day – split the amount of that one meal into two meals. If you change pet foods – especially for dogs – switch slowly. I always recommend ¼ new food to ¾ old food for 4 to 7 days, then ½ to ½ for another 4 to 7 days, and so on. The moisture content in canned foods is especially beneficial for cats. Cats just don’t drink enough water. But because of the high moisture in canned pet foods – more of the food needs to be eaten to provide the correct nutritional requirements. And make sure the canned food does not contain BPA in the lining. Save yourself some money…buy high quality dog foods and cat foods.

Wishing you and your pet the best,

Susan Thixton
Truth About Pet Food
Petsumer Report
http://www.truthaboutpetfood.com/

This information has been provided to you via Bella’s House & Pet Sitting in Scottsdale, AZ

Importance Of Grooming

Danielle — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 22:14:42 +0000

Are you constantly finding pet hair around your home or on your clothes? Does your pet constantly become matted or itching, scratching, or rubbing constantly?

Proper grooming is the solution!!!

Check out this link to learn more about proper grooming from the American Animals Hospital Association.

Did you know human shampoo is not good for your pets?

Do you know how to properly clip their nails or why you need to clip their nails on a regular basis?

This should be done on a monthly basis by you or a professional for the health and safety of your pet.

Don’t have time to groom? Please consider using this recommended vendors on Bella’s Concierge Program:

The Natural Pet Mobile Groomer

@ 480-777-2362 (Jessica)

This information has been provided to you by Danielle Vasta, Owner of Bella’s House & Pet Sitting. Please contact her at: (480)330-4552 or www.BellasHouseAndPets.com for any of your pet sitting needs!

Pet Obesity

Danielle — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 22:10:22 +0000

How can you tell if your pet is obese?

I understand that this can be a very touchy subject for many… although part of BHPS’s mission’s is to help pass on education as we see fit. We care immensely for all of our two and four legged clients and really want to make sure that all of our two legged clients are well equipped with the proper information to help enhance and prolong their four legged loved ones lives.

According to the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention about 42% of American’s pets are obese! This is true even here in Scottsdale, AZ.

These conditions are not to be taken lightly and in fact are common problems amongst some of our four legged clients. Understand that this information should be taken seriously and that it could help improve your pets health.

HOW TO TELL IF YOUR PET IS HEALTY:

1.) Ribs are easily felt

2.) Tucked abdomen with no sagging stomach

3.) Can see their waist when viewing them from above.

HOW TO TELL IF YOU PET IS OVERWEIGHT:

1.) Difficult to feel ribs under fat.

2.) Sagging stomach. You can grab a handful of fat.

3.) Broad flat back.

4.) No waist.

See the diagram below for more description:

How do pets get overweight???

1) Type of food they are being fed. Many common brands found in the grocery store and PetSmart are like feeding McDonald’s everyday of their life! www.DogFoodProject.com

2) Amount of food. Pets should NOT be free fed, nor should they be fed more than twice a day at the most. Unless they are under 1yr old.

3) Not enough proper exercise. (type of exercise and length of time) - consider adding daily walks with BHPS!

4) Too many treats! Pets should be given treats in moderation.

PLEASE… if you are open to learning more Bella’s Concierge Program is here for YOU as a COMPLIMENTARY benefit to using our services. We can provide you with access to Nationally renowned experts via their websites where you can learn more, contact them, and help create a healthy life for your pets. We love your babies as if they were our own. Click here to contact us!

NOTE: As you would do for yourself, please consult your vet or pet nutritionist before you drastically change your pets feeding or exercise routine.