Pros and Cons of Commercial Pet Foods (Including Grain/Grain Free) for Dogs and Cats

Abstract

Commercial pet food in the United States includes a diverse range of products. There is a tremendous amount of variation among companies regarding the financial resources invested into producing their products, research, and marketing. Commercial pet food is a regulated industry at both the state and federal levels, and many of the same standards applied to the human food industry apply to pet food. Many foods that both pets and people consume are processed; however, the type and extent of processing do not correlate with the nutritional value. Commercial pet food does not meet the needs of every pet.

Keywords: Commercial pet food; Grain-free diets; Grain-inclusive diets; Misinformation; Processed foods; Regulation.