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Why Do Vets Recommend Purina? [Trusted or Not?]

Zack Keithy, our author, is a certified veterinarian technician (UC Blue Ash) for over 6 years (contact him here). The articles written here are based on his expertise and experience, combined with a review by our expert vet reviewers including Dr M. Tarantino. Learn more about us here.

Heres what I think: Vets recommend Purina due to their high-quality ingredients, adherence to nutritional guidelines, and scientific-backed formulas, among other reasons. Over the years, the company has also formed a close relationship with industry professionals, building a trusted bond as a result.

If you wanna know more and understand some of the key concerns about such partnerships, you wont want to miss the rest of this article.

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The Role of Nutrition in Pet Health

Nutrition is the cornerstone of your pets well-being.

Just like humans, our dogs rely on a balanced diet to thrive and live healthy, happy lives.

In this section, Ill explore why proper nutrition is so vital for your furry companions and why veterinarians play a crucial role in guiding pet owners toward the right dietary choices.

The Significance of Proper Nutrition

Proper nutrition is not just about filling your pets bowl with any available food.

Its about providing the right nutrients in the right amounts to support their growth, development, and overall health.

Here are 4 reasons why it matters:

• Growth and development: Nutrition is fundamental for puppies as they grow. The right nutrients help in bone and muscle development, ensuring your pet reaches its full potential.
• Energy and vitality: Good nutrition provides the energy canines need to stay active, playful, and full of life. It fuels their daily activities and adventures.
• Disease prevention: A well-balanced diet can help prevent various health issues in pets. For instance, the right nutrients support a strong immune system, reducing the risk of infections.
• Weight management: Proper nutrition plays a crucial role in maintaining a healthy weight for your pet. Obesity can lead to various health problems, but the right diet can help prevent it.

The Veterinarians Role in Guiding Pet Owners

Veterinarians are not just there for your pet when theyre sick; they are also your best allies in maintaining their health through nutrition.

Heres how they assist:

• Expertise: Veterinarians have extensive knowledge of animal nutrition. They understand the specific dietary requirements of different pets, from dogs and cats to birds and reptiles.
• Personalized advice: Every pet is unique, and their dietary needs may vary. Vets can assess your pets age, breed, size, activity level, and any underlying health conditions to recommend the most suitable diet.
• Monitoring and adjustments: As your dogs health evolves, so should their diet. Vets can monitor your pets progress and make necessary adjustments to their nutrition plan.
• Recommendations for special needs: Guess what? If your pet has special dietary needs due to allergies, sensitivities, or chronic health conditions, veterinarians can also recommend specific diets or supplements to address these concerns.

Understanding Purina

To comprehend why veterinarians frequently recommend Purina pet food, you need to first understand the brand itself.

Purina is a name that carries a legacy in the world of pet nutrition. Lets delve into the history, reputation, and diverse product lines that make Purina a trusted choice for pet owners and veterinarians alike.

A Rich History

Founded in 1894, the brand has continuously evolved to meet the changing needs of pets and their owners.

This long-standing history is a testament to Purinas commitment to delivering high-quality pet food products.

A Well-Established Reputation

When it comes to pet food, trust is paramount. Purina has earned its reputation by consistently providing nutritious, safe, and reliable pet food.

This reputation is not built overnight but through years of dedication to pet well-being.

I remember when my family had our first dog, I always see packs of Purina kibble around the house.

Years later, my parents told me that it was one of the most highly recommended brands from their vet friends!

Diverse Product Lines

Purina offers a wide range of pet food products, catering to various dietary requirements, preferences, and budget too.

These product lines include:

• Purina ONE: Think of this range as their entry level product for dogs. While it does share lots of similarity with Pro Plan, it has a smaller assortment and can be easily found in big box stores and even groceries.
• Pro Plan: Pro Plan is a premium line that focuses on optimal nutrition for pets, whether theyre active, aging, or have unique dietary requirements. You also get a wider range of formulas, and they can only be found at specialty stores or online.
• Purina Veterinary Diets: These specialized diets are formulated to address specific health issues in pets, and they are often recommended by veterinarians to manage conditions like diabetes, kidney disease, or allergies. Take note: this range can only be purchased with a licensed vet prescription.

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Purina Quality and Safety Standards

For me, this is one of the top criteria I look at when choosing dog food. Theres no way I would randomly pick up any kibble and feed it to my dogs, and I hope you have a similar mentality too!

However, theres no exact way to know how good a manufacturer is except to watch out for signs, such as:

• Stringent testing: Purina conducts comprehensive testing of ingredients and finished products to ensure they meet their high standards. This includes testing for contaminants, such as bacteria or toxins.
• Reaction to recalls: Unfortunately, there are times when accidents happen, and companies need to recall the particular formula in question. Ive seen firsthand how Purina handled these incidents swiftly.
• Traceability: The brand maintains a robust system for tracking ingredients and products. This allows for quick identification and removal of any products that may not meet quality and safety requirements.
• Compliance with regulatory standards: Purina complies with all relevant regulations and industry standards (such as AAFCO and FDA) to ensure their products are safe and nutritionally balanced.
• Transparency: The company is transparent about its sourcing, manufacturing, and testing processes, allowing consumers to have confidence in the products they choose for their pets.

Collaboration with Veterinarians

You might be thinking, so far I have only mentioned all the good stuff about Purina, making them seem like its the best choice for all dog owners.

Well, its not that simple, and I definitely want to point out another perspective.

The truth is, the company is unlikely to get to where it is today without an investment in marketing, and thats where vets come in.

Collaborating with veterinarians adds a layer of scientific expertise to pet food brands, and quite frankly, its a given that this partnership needs to exist.

On the other hand, there might be ethical concerns.

If the company is sponsoring vets or organizations related to vets, does that present a conundrum?

I think its a bit of both really.

We in the industry do need the support of corporates, while they can benefit from the backing of trusted professionals.

Where the line should be drawn is when it comes to the well-being of our pets, being transparent, and having independent opinions.

To strike a balance, I feel that these collaborations need to be driven by a shared commitment to improving the health and well-being of pets, rather than just marketing gains.

When executed ethically and transparently, such collaborations can indeed enhance the pet food industry and contribute to healthier, happier pets.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Do veterinarians recommend Purina?

Yes, some veterinarians recommend Purina, but not all. An ethical vet will only recommend a product based on several factors, most importantly, the specific needs of the individual dog. Purina is a well-established pet food brand so its not uncommon to see them being a recommended choice.

Should you trust Purina?

This comes down to individual preferences and how your dog interacts with the dog food. Purina is a reputable company so I would say that it is trustable. If you need more information, a chat with your vet and reading consumer reviews will help you out too. Alternatively, you can also check out our dog food comparison guides.

Is Purina better than Blue Buffalo?

I chuckle when someone asks me this as there really is no straightforward answer to it. It depends on what youre comparing and ultimately, what the needs of your dog are. However, both are reputable companies in the industry, so I would say that if your search starts with them, youre on the right track.

Are vets paid to promote certain dog foods?

In my experience, I have never seen a vet getting kickbacks or any financial incentives to promote certain dog food brands. Its highly unethical and is not tolerated by the industry. On your part, you should ask your vet why they recommend a particular brand (if it happens) and determine the level of transparency. And frankly speaking, selling dog food isnt really profitable from a clinics point of view.

In Conclusion: Why Do Vets Recommend Purina?

Well, some vets do recommend Purina, largely based on their positive experiences and also seeing firsthand the benefits its brought to patients, but its not accurate to say that all vets do.

Ultimately, the well-being of our furry companions should always be the top priority, and informed decisions about pet nutrition should be based on transparency, research, and a commitment to the best interests of our beloved dogs!

Hey! If you found this post useful, check out these dog care tips too:

Youve made it to the end, but I hope its not the end of our journey. We want to hear your voice! Share your thoughts, problems, suggestions, or anything related to your dog in the comments section. And dont forget to join our newsletter today too.

Why Vets Dont Recommend Raw Diets

Why Vets Dont Recommend Raw Diets

Raw diets are currently increasing in popularity. There are many books available which describe how to prepare them, and pre-made commercial options are readily available for purchase. Even so, many veterinarians are not on board with the hype. Both the World Small Animal Veterinary Association and British Veterinary Association discourage raw feeding. So why not?

Here are some of the reasons many veterinarians will not recommend raw diets:

Raw food prep can introduce bacteria into the home

The surface of any raw meat can carry bacteria. Even commercially prepared pet foods have been shown to carry pathogens. They can also easily be spread around the home if we arent careful when preparing our pets raw food. Dishes used to serve raw foods have to be properly cleaned and disinfected after each use. Young children and immunocompromised individuals are at risk of falling ill even when very low numbers of infectious bacteria are present.

Bacteria found on the surface of raw meats can infect pets and people

Infections caused by bacteria found on raw meat can cause diarrhoea, hospitalisation, and death in both people and pets. Although it appears that cats and dogs are sometimes able to carry pathogenic bacteria without showing clinical signs, they are still able to pass them on to the people they live with. It has been documented that pathogenic and antibiotic-resistant bacteria are shed in the droppings of dogs and cats.

There are reported cases of raw diets causing illness in pets and people

One example was thoroughly documented and published in a scientific journal. In 2018, a raw cat food was linked with tuberculosis in the gut; a very rare form of the disease. One hundred and thirty cats throughout the UK were diagnosed with an infection. It was very likely that the cats picked up the infection from their commercial food as they lived indoors and were consuming the same batch of raw food. There were no other potential sources of infection identified. In the end, a total of five people in contact with the infected cats also contracted tuberculosis, with one requiring medical treatment.

Lack of evidence demonstrating the benefits of raw diets

Research investigating the true benefits of feeding dogs a raw diet is still in its infancy. Dog owners who feed raw diets often report a link between raw-feeding with improved health. This includes beliefs that a raw diet will make a dogs coat shiny, enhance muscle condition and improve teeth cleanliness. However, more scientifically rigorous methods would be required to draw definitive conclusions. Until then, it appears that the risks of feeding a raw diet are greater than the potential benefits they would provide.

Nutrient inadequacies in home-prepared raw diets

Many people have taken it upon themselves to formulate raw meals for their pets. Unfortunately, this can lead to many nutrient deficiencies and imbalances. Even the majority of published recipes have ambiguous instructions which make them inconsistent or are not formulated with a proper nutrient balance in the first place. When looking for recipes to cook at home, the best source is from a board-certified veterinary nutritionist. They will have the expertise to formulate a diet and can tailor the nutrient profile to closely match your dogs specific needs.

Conclusion

Every veterinary surgeon will adhere to the first rule of care: first do no harm. Many vets believe that recommending feeding a raw diet goes against this principle, especially because of the lack of research demonstrating the benefits.

At the end of the day, your vets recommendations will be made to safeguard the wellbeing of your pet while being mindful of any public health implications.

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References

• Dgi, J., Imre, K., Herman, V., Bucur, I., Radulov, I., Petrec, O. C., & Cristina, R. T. (2021). Antimicrobial Drug-Resistant Salmonella in Urban Cats: Is There an Actual Risk to Public Health?. Antibiotics, 10(11), 1404.
• Empert-Gallegos, A., Hill, S., & Yam, P. S. (2020). Insights into dog owner perspectives on risks, benefits, and nutritional value of raw diets compared to commercial cooked diets. PeerJ, 8, e10383.
• Morelli G, Bastianello S, Catellani P, Ricci R. (2019) Raw meat-based diets for dogs: survey of owners motivations, attitudes and practices. BMC veterinary research. 2019 Dec;15(1):1-0.
• OHalloran C, TrnqvistJohnsen C, Woods G, Mitchell J, Reed N, Burr P, GascoyneBinzi D, Wegg M, Beardall S, Hope J, GunnMoore D. (2021) Feline tuberculosis caused by Mycobacterium bovis infection of domestic UK cats associated with feeding a commercial raw food diet. Transboundary and Emerging Diseases. 2021 Jul;68(4):2308-20.
• Runesvrd, E., Wikstrm, C., Fernstrm, L. L., & Hansson, I. (2020). Presence of pathogenic bacteria in faeces from dogs fed raw meatbased diets or dry kibble. Veterinary Record, 187(9), e71-e71.
• Wilson SA, Villaverde C, Fascetti AJ, Larsen JA. (2019) Evaluation of the nutritional adequacy of recipes for home-prepared maintenance diets for cats. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association. 2019 May 15;254(10):1172-9.