The Owlery

Myth no.1: Corn is a filler, is poorly digested and causes allergies.

FACT: Fillers are ingredients that serve no nutritional purpose, and corn does not fit that description. Corn is a nutritionally superior grain compared with others used in pet foods because it contains a balance of nutrients not found in other grains. Corn contains a highly available source of complex carbohydrates and substantial quantities of linoleic acid, an essential fatty acid important for healthy skin. Corn also provides essential amino acids and fiber. In a survey of veterinary dermatologists, corn was not listed among the ingredients most often suspected to cause food allergies. A review of over 200 confirmed canine cases of food allergy in the veterinary literature revealed only three were caused by corn. The same number was reported for rice.

Myth no.2: Soybean meal causes bloat in dogs.

FACT: Bloat, or gastric dilatation/volvulus, is a condition usually seen in large, deep-chested dogs. Research has shown that gastric motility and emptying are not affected by food ingredients (moist meat-based vs. dry cereal-based food).

Myth no.3: Corn is highly allergenic.

FACT: There have been only six confirmed case allergy to corn in dogs reported in the veterinary literature out of 253 total cases. This equates to 2.4% incidence rate. Foods most often cited as causing canine food allergy are beef, dairy products and wheat.

Myth no.4: Chicken meal is superior to poultry by-product meal.

FACT: Both chicken meal and poultry by-product meal contain quality protein that is digestible and palatable. Chicken meal, however, contains mostly rendered chicken necks and backs, which means it provides more ash per unit protein than poultry by-product meal does. This may make it less desirable for use in formulations where controlling the mineral content of the product is indicated. Poultry by-product meal is a slightly more concentrated protein source.

Myth no.5: By-products are of lesser quality than meat.

FACT: Pet food ingredients including muscle meat are by nature by-products. Some of the by-products used in pet foods are ingredients that are considered human grade both domestically and internationally. Examples of these are pork and beef liver, tripe and spleen. Many by-products like liver offer superior palatability over muscle meats when used in dog and cat foods.

Myth no.6: There is one best fiber source.

FACT: Various fiber types can be used to provide distinct functions in pet foods. Though fiber does not serve as a major energy source for dogs and cats, it can help promote normal bowel function, maintain the health of the intestinal tract and aid in the nutritional management of certain diseases. No single fiber source or type can optimally deliver all the benefits fiber can provide in pet nutrition. Insoluble fiber is preferred in weight-loss regimens. Soluble fiber is more appropriate in the maintenance of intestinal tract health. It is important to use the fiber source of sources that achieve the nutritional goals of the product.

Myth no.7: Cellulose fiber binds minerals and decreases the digestibility of other nutrients.

FACT: As with other fibers, dry matter digestibility decreases with increasing cellulose levels. However, research have shown that fiber type does not affect protein digestibility in dogs. In addition, purified cellulose does not decrease protein digestibility in cats. Purified cellulose is inert when it comes to mineral binding and has no effect on calcium or zinc availability in ****** or iron in dogs. More soluble fibers such as beet pulp bind calcium and zinc in ****** and iron in growing puppies.

By: Rich Masters

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Life is hard with a furry family of four legged friends to care for and feed. So how do you keep filling those dependent little mouths, but stay within the budget for a growing hungry four legged family? Pet food coupons are a great way to stretch those pennies. Signing up to a coupon site on line can open up a world of offers that will keep your pets fully fed and happily contented with their caring owners.

Registration is easy. Many of the sites will advertise lots of other coupons for household products, food and goods which will help you to save on your other family purchases. Shopping becomes easier and a whole lot cheaper when you pull up pet food coupons on your search engine.

Do you have fussy pets? The little Yorkshire terrier no bigger than your hand who rules your house and who turns regularly his nose up at the dog food he ate happily last week. Or your wonderful old red setter who has for years been happy with local supermarket own brand dried dog food, but who has now decided that he wont eat it. Never fear, pet food coupons will enable you to vary the diet of your precious pooches and offer them a whole new world of variety. Each week you check what special offers you can get with the coupons, which will save you money and tempt their fussy palates.

Have you often stood in the pet food section of the supermarket and been confused by all the different choices? Vitamin and minerals, special additives, fish oil, bone strengtheners, teeth sharpeners, glossy coat enhancers and bad breath preventers… Who’s to know what’s best for your beloved pets? What an awful thought that you may be withholding something vital for their diet and well-being. It’s not even possible to tell what’s best from reading the pet food packaging. Have you ever tried deciphering the forest of information in minuscule writing on the can or bag?

Don’t fret, when you visit the coupon site you can link to the manufacturer’s site for the pet food offer and check out all this information in readable print in the comfort of your own home. Getting the coupons is easier than ever – just click and print! There’s no collection to be done, no paying for postage or waiting for them to arrive. You can download the coupons immediately from the site. Give yourselves a break, give your pets a life of variety, and protect your pocket at the same time. Taking the time to search for pet food coupons is a great idea.

By: Candis Reade

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