Nowadays there are literally hundreds of choices in pet food, available for purchase at more places than ever. How do you decide what to buy and where to buy it? It can be overwhelming to select a food for your dog or cat, not only because of the huge variety of options but also because it can be difficult to understand and interpret all the marketing messages that some brands make. First off, we always recommend buying your pet food at a local pet specialty store, where you can find advice and product recommendations for your pet’s needs.
 
At Lucy Pet, we believe in always doing what is right for a dog or cat. We do not make decisions based on a marketing fad or trend. We start first with the nutritional needs and requirements of the animal. We are guided by science and our nutritional philosophy that health and immunity starts in the gut. Just like in humans, the digestive system plays a far more important role in your dog or cat’s health than just processing food. Based on the 40 years of research of Dr. George C. Fahey, it turns out that gut health plays a key role in natural immunity to stay strong and healthy. Every day the digestive system is faced with challenges, so if the gut is strong it can overcome digestive challenges more easily. 
 
This is why we use our P.B.F. Prebiotic Balanced Fiber blend in all of our foods. Our formulas include a variety of quality fibers to help create gut health for your dog or cat. During digestion, the prebiotics and fibers in our P.B.F. blend get all the way to the large intestine (or colon) and ferment. This fermentation produces “Short Chain Fatty Acids” (SCFA) specifically Butyric Acid, Acetate, and Propionate. These are very beneficial to health, for example, butyric acid supports the health and healing of cells in the small and large intestine, and serves the natural processes of aerobic energy metabolism.  
 
While we have a focus on gut health and optimal digestion, we also understand that no single ingredient is the most important in a pet food. In fact, it is the combination of ingredients which contribute to the total nutrient profile and quality of a food. That’s why Lucy Pet starts with super-high quality ingredients, such as real duck, wild caught Alaskan salmon, pumpkin, quinoa, chickpeas, carrots, flaxseed, sweet potatoes, peas, duck fat, fish oil and more. Our Formulas for Life are complete and balanced for “all life stages”, which means they have been formulated for puppies through adult/senior dogs and kittens through adult/seniors cats. We pay particular attention to calcium and phosphorus levels, as well as the antioxidants and guaranteed levels of Omega 3 & 6’s. We also do not use any ingredients from China, including vitamins and minerals. This may all cost more to make but we feel it is well worth it, and consumers want a food they can trust. When you consider a pet food, look for a brand that is transparent about ingredients and where they are sourced, including the vitamins and minerals.
 
So when you look for a pet food, don’t be fooled by any brand that hyper-focuses only on the first ingredient or two. Those may be important, but they do not tell the entire story. Do not be fooled by brands that try to convince you that super-high protein is better. The fact is, there are no long-term studies on the effects of feeding a high protein diet to a dog or cat. In addition, some board certified Veterinarians believe that excessively high protein levels in pet food can cause stress on some vital organs and negatively affect a pet’s health. Informed animal nutritionists and animal physiologists will confirm that a dog or cat will not utilize excessive levels of protein, and it is simply unnecessary. This means that if you are buying a pet food with an excessively high protein level, you are paying for protein levels your pet will not utilize and there is a possibility it could be unhealthy for your pet. 
 
Lucy Pet strongly discourages feeding super high protein foods. We are guided by science and leading nutritionists who focus on the combination of ingredients in a formula to deliver balanced nutrition. Lucy Pet Formulas for Life with P.B.F. Prebiotic Balanced Fiber will provide your dog or cat with the right levels of protein, fat, fiber carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants to help your dog or cat have the best possible chance for a long healthy life. 
 
Visit your local independent pet specialty store and look for Lucy Pet Formulas for Life and get your pet’s gut health in check.