Dr. Mike Sagman practiced restorative and sedation dentistry in Newport News, Virginia, for over four decades. Today, Dr. Mike Sagman is the owner and managing editor of DogFoodAdvisor.com, a popular website which provides information and star ratings for more than 1000 pet food product lines and brands.
Dr. Sagman offers the following advice to consumers searching for the best dog food.
1. Check labels. While pet food labels can be difficult to read, they also help reveal hidden secrets about quality of the food inside the package. Avoid any foods that feature anonymous meat, generic by-products or chemical preservatives. Further, research any preservatives you aren’t familiar with.
2. Consider all dog foods but favor major brands. Many people distrust large brands, often believing that smaller brands take more care to produce safe products. However, in a recent study, the website discovered that even though smaller companies account for just 7% of the pet food and treats sold, they’re responsible for 83% of all the product recalls.
3. Look for testing. Research the pet food to determine if it was subject to nutritional testing prior to release. Pay particular attention to feeding trials and laboratory analysis.
4. Research product design. Pet food manufacturers are under no legal obligation to have vets or animal nutritionists involved in a product's design. Many dog foods are actually designed by amateurs. So, take the time to contact the brand in question to determine who was responsible for a dog food's formulation.
