There is no universally best food for all pets; the key is finding what works best for your individual pet.

When pet owners ask us about the best or most popular food, we emphasize that there is no one-size-fits-all answer. We have a better question, “What is the best food for your dog or cat? Let’s find it together!”

We present to you the concept of Three checkboxes:

1. Consciously choose food for your pet: What is important to you? Consider your values and priorities.
2. Find the food that they love: If they don’t eat it, nothing else matters.
3. Make sure it works for them: Look for signs like great stool, a shiny coat, healthy weight, and good behavior.

If you can check these three boxes, you have something that is not just good enough but very good. Continuously assess and adapt based on your pet’s changing needs to ensure they continue receiving optimal nutrition.

Economics teaches us that we only buy products when we perceive their value to be equal to or greater than their price. This perception is influenced by various factors, including the inherent quality of the product, promotional efforts, cost, and ease of access. The perceived value is multifaceted, and while the components are the same, we all have our own unique mix of them and that changes over time too.

If to understand what truly makes a product worth purchasing means looking at advertisements and TikTok trends — by all means. It is not important where you get the information. What matters is how you process it. By evaluating products based on principles that resonate with you, you ensure that the choices you make offer genuine benefits and contribute positively to your pet’s health and well-being, fitting your life, not somebody else’s.

How to Consciously Choose Food for Your Pet

Consider these values and see if we missed anything important:

1. Ingredients: Do you read ingredient lists? Can you understand every ingredient on the label? Does it matter to you? What about your own food?
2. Manufacturer and Origin: Is it important who makes the food and where it is produced? Do you prefer locally made? Do you trust established brands? Does the company whose brand is on the front of the bag actually produce the food?
3. Safety: Would you consider buying a brand that has multiple recalls? One recall?
4. Availability: Is the food easily available? Can you order it with a click of a button?
5. Variety: Does the food come in different flavors for rotation and different sizes for practicality?
6. Ethical Considerations: Is humane treatment of animals involved in producing the food important to you?
7. Sustainability: The sustainability of the ingredients and ecological packaging are increasingly important to eco-conscious consumers. Sustainable practices contribute to the overall ethical profile of the brand.
8. Cost: Evaluate the cost of the food and how it fits into your budget. While premium products often come at a higher price, they might offer better quality and health benefits.
9. Storage: Do you have space in your pantry or freezer for the food? Practicality in storing the food is essential for maintaining its quality and convenience.
10. Brand Reputation: Trustworthy brands with a history of quality and positive reviews are often more reliable choices.
11. Customer Reviews: Feedback from other pet owners can provide insights into the product’s effectiveness and overall value.

By considering these factors, you can make informed choices that best suit your pet’s needs and your own values, ensuring their health and happiness while fitting seamlessly into your lifestyle.

Key Takeaways

1. Individual Needs Matter: There is no universally best food for all pets; the key is finding what works best for your individual pet.
2. Three Checkboxes: Ensure the food you choose for your pet is consciously selected based on your values, loved by your pet, and meets their health needs.
3. Perceived Value: Understand that perceived value is influenced by the product’s quality, promotional efforts, cost, and ease of access.
4. Critical Evaluation: Look beyond advertisements and trends, and evaluate products based on principles that resonate with you to ensure they fit your pet’s needs and your lifestyle.

Practical Advice

1. Read Ingredient Lists: Always check the ingredient list on pet food labels. Ensure you understand and are comfortable with the ingredients included.
2. Research the Brand: Investigate who makes the food and where it is produced. Trust in brands with a strong reputation and transparency about their manufacturing processes. Check for any past recalls or controversies associated with the brand.
3. Observe Your Pet: Monitor your pet’s reaction to the food. Good signs include a shiny coat, healthy weight, solid stools, and consistent energy levels. Keep a food diary for your pet to track their reactions to different foods over time, making it easier to identify what works best.