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Buying Food Pet Supplies For Your Pet

Online sales of pet supplies will more than triple from .1 billion in 2007 to a forecasted .4 billion in 2012, according to a Forrester Research Inc. report. In “The State of Retailing Online 2008,” researchers determined that the sale of pet supplies online accounted for 5% of overall U.S. pet supplies retail sales last year, which is a percentage that will continue to grow. Healthy pet food is one of the most important products sold.

Food is one of the most important pet supplies to buy. High quality food can ensure a shiny coat, a proper weight, good energy levels and a longer life, whereas poor quality food can leave a pet listless, bloated, chunky and requiring more frequent medical care. “You don’t have to choose the most expensive food to get what’s best for your pet,” advises Consumer Reports’ health editor, Jamie Hirsh. She advises that pet owners look for food that’s been validated by research from the American Association of Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) and food that is clearly labeled with manufacturer contact information. The pet’s age and special needs should be considered when making a healthy pet food purchasing decision.

Many people wonder about wet food versus dry food for their pet supplies. Pets with kidney or urinary problems may benefit from softer, moister wet food, although pets with dental problems or weak stomachs fare better with dry food. There’s generally no nutritional difference, but since wet foods contain 75% water, the pet will need to eat more to get the same amount of calories (which makes wet food more expensive). Age-specific food is very important for pregnant animals and growing puppies or kittens. Consumers should also look for cat supplies or dog supplies labels that say “for growth” or “for all of life’s stages.” Healthy adult animals should be on “for maintenance” food. Products labeled “lean,” “low-calorie” or “light” must meet designated AAFCO standards. Labels that say “natural” are loosely regulated.

According to Consumer Search, the best pet supplies for dogs include: Orijen (premium dry dog food), Chicken Soup For The Pet Lover’s Soul (dry dog food), Innova EVO (premium canned dog food) and Canidae (canned dog food). Other runner-ups included Natural Balance, Natures Variety Instinct, Wysong Aus Jus, Wellness Core, Innova EVO Dry, Taste of the Wild, Wellness 95% Meat, Blue Wilderness and Canidae All Stages Dry. These foods were ranked by humane societies, veterinarians, breeders, discussion boards, dog clubs, trainers and pet owners.