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Considering Natural Food for Your Pet?
by Temple, Courtney

Most likely you have heard of the term “natural” recently when referring to either pet or human food–but do you actually know what it means? Does natural pet food and organic pet food even mean the same thing? The answer to these questions and more are just ahead.

What is natural pet food?

According to the Pet Food Committee of the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO), natural is defined as “A feed or ingredient derived solely from plant, animal or mined sources, either in its unprocessed state or having been subjected to physical processing, heat processing, rendering, purification extraction, hydrolysis, enzymolysis or fermentation, but not having been produced by or chemically synthetic except in amounts as might occur unavoidably in good manufacturing practices.”

The AAFCO also provides suggested guidelines for pet food manufacturers to follow when referring to a natural product. These guidelines state that the term natural should only be applied when all of the ingredients and components meet the complete definition provided by the AAFCO. For example, the term “natural” does not apply if there are any chemically synthesized ingredients present in the pet food. This includes propylene glycol and butylated hydroxyanisole found in some pet foods. Under certain circumstances synthetic vitamins or mineral additives may be added to a natural product with the exception of being used as a dietary supplement.What is the difference between natural vs. organic food?

The terms natural and organic are often used interchangeably. However, there are many recognizable differences between natural and organic pet foods. Organic pet food must abide by stricter guidelines than natural pet food. Unlike natural food, organic food is regulated by the United State Department of Agriculture (USDA) to guarantee there is no use of artificial ingredients. Moreover, organic pet foods are prohibited from using most synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, sewage sludge fertilizers, genetically modified organisms, growth hormones, irradiation, antibiotics, and artificial ingredients during production. Unlike organic pet food, natural pet food production does not have legal or federal supervision. Pet food should be grown in its own environment to qualify as natural, but there is no guarantee that the product is completely natural.

How do I know if the pet food is natural?

The best advice is to use your own discretion when searching for a natural pet food. If you see the term “natural” on a pet food label it merely means the food was minimally processed and grown in a natural environment. The food may still contain grains, glutens, and soy.

What is Organic Pet Food?

Is organic pet food the right choice for you and your pet? Can you easily switch your pet to an organic diet if they’ve never had it before? Read on and make an educated decision based on your situation.

What is organic pet food?

Organic pet food prohibits the use of most synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, sewage sludge fertilizers, genetically modified organisms, growth hormones, irradiation, antibiotics, and artificial ingredients. Organic pet food is closely regulated by the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Organic Program (NOP).

Organic Pet Food Labels

The key to knowing the percentage of organic ingredients used in a pet food product is by paying close attention to the label. You may have noticed the term “100% organic” on several pet food labels and wondered if this was a guarantee that the product did not contain artificial ingredients or any other unwanted ingredients. The answer is “yes!” Labels that use the phrase “100% organic” ensure that all the ingredients in the product are certified organic and regulated closely by the USDA. If you see the word “organic” this implies that the product contains at least 95% of organic ingredients, or is made with an organic specific ingredient list. However, there are ingredients that are not organic present. The term “made with organic” simply means that the product contains at least 70% organic ingredients, but a percentage of the ingredients are not organic.

Transitioning to an Organic Food Diet

The best way to switch your pet’s diet to organic is by slowly introducing them to the new organic food. A pet owner can do this by mixing the new food into the food they are currently being fed. It’s recommended to gradually increase the amount of new pet food each day while you decrease the amount of old food. This process generally takes about 7-10 days until the new diet is fully put in place. Remember to consult your veterinarian before making any changes to your pet’s diet.

How do I know how much organic food I should feed my pet?

Feeding guidelines are printed on the back of the pet food label. Food amounts depend on the specific needs and preferences of your pet. Your pet’s age, lifestyle, and activity level play a large part in the amount of food they should be fed.