Discovering YOU Magazine February 2019 Issue | Page 33

ASK THE EXPERTS WITH CODY

The Real Science Behind Your

Pet's Food

Article by Purina survey

(BPT) - Pet owners will do just about anything they can to keep their furry friends happy and healthy, which is why the vast majority of pet owners say they're concerned about the ingredients in their pet's food. Based on a quality and safety Purina survey conducted in 2017, 84 percent of pet owners are concerned about the ingredients in their pet's food, and more than four out of five pet owners are likely to read the list of ingredients in pet food before buying it. Yet many dog and cat owners are often confused about what constitutes safe and healthy food, have misperceptions about ingredients, and aren't clear about what types of nutrients their pets need. A lot of thought has been put into the ingredients in the pet food you see on shelves and online, including many backed by full teams of scientists who work every day to create nutritional breakthroughs that will help pets of all ages live their best life.

Pet food science

A lot of research goes into developing food - both for pets and humans - and much of this innovation was born out of necessity. Since pets clearly have

"Pet food companies like Purina employ hundreds of scientists to research different ingredients, ...."

different nutritional needs than their owners, pet food scientists have developed complete and balanced meals that give pets all the nutrition they need in one product. Pet food companies like Purina employ hundreds of scientists to research different ingredients, combinations of ingredients and the nutritional needs of pets of different breed, size, age and lifestyle. Ultimately, they look beyond the latest ingredient fad and develop pet food based on a smart blend of nutrients that supports pets' overall health.