Thank you for reading Q&A with Dr. Q.! If you're a pet owner, I'm sure you're frustrated about selecting the right food for your pet. There are so many options with a wide range in quality, and just like food for humans, more expensive doesn't always mean better.
If a pet food is of good quality, that would naturally mean it consists of higher quality ingredients. A little more scientifically, whatever nutrients or protein sources are in the food are more easily digestible for your pet and they can process the nutritional elements they need.
There are ways to tell that you've got a good quality pet food by just looking at your dog or cat. Do they have a healthy, shiny coat? Are their weight levels good? Do they have energy? And yes, you even have to look at their poop. If it's firm, and they're not having excessive bowel movements, they're able to digest the food well. If your pet seems lethargic or unwell, or they're having issues digesting the food (such as vomiting or diarrhea), you'll want to first consult your veterinarian to make sure nothing more serious is going on, then seek the vet's recommendations for a higher quality pet food.
One of the biggest challenges of finding a high quality pet food is how much of it is hidden behind marketing. The popular brands, the flashy brands might not have those quality ingredients that are easily digestible. When it comes to your pet's nutrition, trust the experts, not the advertisers!