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PET CARE & NUTRITION

GAPFA members recognize that collaboration and shared knowledge can benefit pet food makers, pet lovers and, of course, the dogs and cats we feed. GAPFA’s members share information on product safety and nutrition, all with the goal of providing consumer choice that allows pet lovers to select the most appropriate food for their cat’s or dog’s nutritional needs and of helping cats and dogs live long and healthy lives.
 

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Pet Food & Nutrition

Today there is a lot of information available about the nutritional requirements of cats and dogs, the ingredients in pet food and the importance to choose the right food for your cat or dog. GAPFA members are committed to helping pet owners get the information about the food they choose for their pets.

 

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The Science of Pet Food: Role of Carbohydrate

 

Carbohydrates are one of the three categories of macronutrients (along with proteins and fats) in the diet of animals.

Carbohydrates, protein, fats, and added vitamins and minerals all play important roles in a commercial dog or cat food recipe, and provide key nutrition for pets. Although not an essential nutrient, digestible carbohydrates provide a source of energy and glucose, which allows for the formulation of moderate fat diets and low-calorie diets to manage weight problems. It also helps to spare the use of animal protein, which is a limited resource in pet nutrition.

Read more in our dedicated factsheet

 

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Nutritional needs of cats and dogs

 

Cats and dogs have specific nutritional needs which vary by lifestage, physical and mental health and activity level.

Pet food must provide the right balance of nutrients and it can be complete or complementary. Complete pet foods are nutritionally complete: providing all the nutrients in the amounts and proportions your pet needs. Complementary pet foods (e.g. treats) are designed to be only a part of the diet and they won’t meet the nutritional requirements when fed alone. Read more in our dedicated factsheet

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The benefits of commercially prepared pet foods

 

Prepared pet foods are a very popular and appropriate way to feed dogs and cats.

Pet owners recognise and celebrate that pets are individuals and owners generally decide on what foods meet their particular circumstances. Prepared pet foods from reputable pet food manufacturers come with a reassurance of nutritional adequacy, quality and safety. There is a wide variety of recipes, varieties and textures to choose from, and they are convenient to use. Read more in our dedicated factsheet

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Choosing the right food for your pet

 

Pet owners today enjoy a wide range of quality prepared pet foods to keep their dogs and cats happy and healthy.

This variety means that pet owners can choose the foods that provide their pet with the nutrition it needs and the product form that they and their pets prefer. The array of options of prepared pet foods provide a great basis for your pet’s diet, delivering balanced nutrition, variety, palatability, sustainability, consistency and safety, making for a satisfied pet and owner. Read more in our dedicated factsheet

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The importance of water in your pet's diet

 

Water is essential for the body to perform optimally and aids the body in maintaining a regular temperature.

Without water all those other nutrients found in your pet’s food will be rendered useless, as water is needed in digestion for the absorption of those nutrients and all the way through to elimination. Read more in our dedicated factsheet

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Can I feed dog food to my cat?

 

Dog and cat foods are formulated differently because dogs and cats have different nutritional needs.

Complete and balanced pet foods provide all the nutrients required in the correct ratios for the pet. Dog foods provide all the nutrients a dog needs to stay healthy but they are not formulated to provide the additional nutrients that cats need in their diet. Read more in our dedicated factsheet

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Incidence, risk factors & managing obesity

 

Obesity is an important issue in pets as it can lead to a reduced quality of life for the pet, reduced enjoyment for the owner and it may predispose the dog or cat to a number of potentially serious illnesses.

However, deciding whether a pet is overweight can be a challenge for some owners and your veterinarian can assist by weighing your pet and determining your pet’s body condition score. Read more in our dedicated factsheet

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Additives

 

Additives in pet food serve various purposes:

the first one is to provide nutritional benefits, e.g. vitamins, the second purpose concerns technological additives for safety and maintaining the desirable features of texture, stability and resistance to spoilage and lastly there can be sensory additives providing the right color and flavor. Read more in our dedicated factsheet