Perfect pet food. Healthy animals without medicine
In the wild, cats consume about 47 % of protein and 33 % of fat. I regard these data as the targets to which we must strive to provide with nutrition our pet cats. However, there is no need to adhere these figures strictly, any amount that is close to them, will set pet food to feed of their wild relatives. Based on these data, we have created the recipes in such a way, that their food-value is between the minimum legal standards and norms of "wildlife", but nearer to the latest.
The protein content in recipes ranges from 32 to 59 %, and averages about 47 %, which is close to the standards in the food of wild cats in the wild. The fat content varies from 21 to 44 % and an average is about 35 %. For a healthy nutrition of an adult animal, any food component within this framework will be acceptable.
Perfect dog's food
According to recommendations of the AAFCO, the protein content in the industrial feed for dogs must be at least 26 % for adult dogs and 22 % for dogs of reproductive age and growing dogs (on previous recommendations the rate was 28 % of protein in feed for lactating). The minimum fat content should be 5 % (8 % for dogs of reproductive age and growing dogs). However, studies have shown that the fat content may be up to 50 % during wrong feeding.
There is a direct relationship between the amount of protein and fat in the diet. The more fat is in the food, the more there is protein. Between these two nutrients, metabolic interaction occurs, and the fatter food is, the less the animal consumes it to satisfy its hunger. For this reason, the body of the dog can be exhausted if to add vegetable oil or meat scraps into food, not to increase, respectively, the content of proteins, vitamins and minerals.
Dr. Ben E. Scheff from Cornell University (Ithaca, New York) has developed minimum standards of protein content in the diet of dogs, fluctuating in a range from 13 to 37 % depending on the fat content of food and special requirements. All proportions of protein and fat in our recipes meet or exceed standards of Dr. Scheff and the AAFCO.
How much should a pet eat?
I am sure that the main criterion for food should be the animal's appetite.
In nature, wild cats eat under a 28-hour cycle, or once every 28 hours. Therefore, if their domestic counterparts sometimes refuse to eat, or when they are fed not by their natural schedule, it is not strange.
