Standing in front of the shelves with all the various types of pet food in front of you, it can be daunting to choose the ideal food for your pet. Pet food manufacturers use different terms to indicate what you can expect from the food. There are no real guidelines as to what the terms actually mean, so we’ve tried to make sense of what the general understanding of the three main terms is.
The most important thing is to understand that some terms are nothing other than marketing language manufacturers use to sell their products. Don’t compare different brands’ terms and foods with each other, but rather compare the terms of the same brand of food to get a better idea of what to expect.
Nutritionists at pet food manufacturers spend lots of time researching, developing and formulating different types of food for their brands with the wellbeing of pets in mind. But they also understand that some pet owners need to stick to a specific budget when it comes to the food they buy. Therefore, the manufacturers develop a range of food – from that which is for pet owners who want only the best and finest ingredients for their pets, no matter what the price is, to quality food for pet owners who have to count their pennies. And this is ultimately what the manufacturers keep in mind when making food for your pet.
Super-premium
This is normally the top of the range for that brand. The manufacturer will use the finest of ingredients in the food to ensure the ultimate in ‘fine dining’ for your pet.
Premium
Premium food is normally one notch down from super-premium food. The manufacturer will still use the best possible ingredients, but might use slightly less protein, fat and other nutrients than in the super-premium range.
Economy
Food that is labelled ‘economy’ normally contains fewer functional ingredients than premium or super-premium food. Functional ingredients are those that are specially added to promote an animal’s health or boost his energy levels. Not all food that falls into this category is labelled ‘economy’, but this is normally the bottom of the range, or retail store brands. It is important to understand that economy food is still adequate for your pet’s nutritional needs, in most cases.
Bottom line
Always look on the label to see what the ingredients are and compare those with other brands to make the best choice. Keep in mind that marketing departments use words and designs to influence us as the owners to choose their brands. Try to look past the overall design, and rather scrutinise the ingredients in the food.
