The Ultimate Pet Food Guide

 After last year’s massive pet food recall, safe and high quality food is on every responsible pet owner’s mind. Opinions on pet food are everywhere, but with so much information who do you know to trust? I spoke with Liz Palika, author of The Ultimate Pet Food Guide, to find reliable answers for our burning questions.  

1. What inspired you to write the ultimate guide?

I began studying pet foods in the ‘80’s – seriously in the 90’s. Dogs with allergies, a dog with liver disease, and seeing hyper puppies in our training classes all lead to a serious study of pet foods. But the Ultimate Guide is my 7^th book regarding pet foods.

2. What are the most frequent misconceptions you hear from pet owners about pet food?

That all commercial foods are good for our pets; that advertising might be fact; that ‘people’ foods are not good for our pets.

3. What are key things to look for when evaluating the safety and nutritional value of commercial pet food?

Read AND UNDERSTAND the labels!! Know what the terms are; know what the ingredients are; and understand how these things apply to your pet.

4. Pet food is becoming increasingly expensive, how do you suggest keeping costs low while maintaining quality?

You are usually better off paying more for a quality food than you are buying a cheaper one with cheaper ingredients. You feed less of a quality food and it usually – in the long run – leads to fewer vet bills.

5. Do you have any time saving tips for busy folks who would like to cook for their pets but are constantly on the go?

              Cook once a week (or once a month) then freeze the foods divided in meals. When you feed one day's, take the next day's
out of the freezer and put it in the refrigerator.

6. What are your pets’ favorite homemade food recipes?

Kuba’s Fish Special is a favorite of my dogs.

Thank you Liz!

To learn more about The Ultimate Pet Food Guide visit LizPalika.com.(Disclosure: In addition to writing more than fifty books, Liz Palika has written multiple articles for PetDoc.com)

Inspired to start cooking?  Send us your favorite homemade pet food recipe and you could win an autographed copy of The Ultimate Pet Food Guide.  Send entries to rei@petdoc.com by June 30, 2008 for your chance to win!
Contest Rules: NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR CLAIM PRIZE. Open to legal U.S. residents 18 years and older at time of entry. All entries must be received by 11:59 p.m. ET on June 30, 2008. Winner will be selected by random drawing on or around July 1, 2008 and be notified by email. Winners agree to have their first name, city and state published on the PetDoc blog. Winners agree to hold PetDoc.com, it's owners, affiliates, subsidiaries, licensees, sponsors, and agents harmless from and against any damages arising from their participation in the contest, and the receipt or use of any prizes.