Eating healthy has clear health benefits, but can malnourish wallets. At grocery stores the organic food aisle has higher prices than the non-organic areas. The key thing to keep in mind is while the price for non-organic is cheaper initially; the price of doctors’ visits and taxes spent paying for the disasters caused by chemical farming drive up the cost. Organic food purchases show that the public is beginning to understand that fact, but can ignore the need for healthy pet food, too.
The truth is most of the public considers a pet a part of the family. Pets should be eating as healthy as owners. Sales of organic pet food have multiplied tenfold since 2002, and increasing sales allow for a greater supply of organic dog and cat food and treats, according to the Organic Trade Association.
If sales continue to increase, one could only assume that more organic food for dogs and cats will be made available, which could lead to lower prices for those owners unable to pay the current high prices. Packaged Facts research shows that nearly half of pet owners would buy natural or organic food for their dog or cat if it were more affordable and two fifths would if it became readily available.
Similar to human food, organic pet food must also be USDA certified, the animal ingredients must be hormone- and antibiotic-free, and grains must be grown without the use of artificial fertilizers. Unfortunately, labels can be ambiguous.
"Pet food labels are notoriously confusing," says Dr. Jo Ann Morrison with Iowa State University's College of Veterinary Medicine. "Labeling laws could be more helpful."
Websites like shop4organicproducts.com can help. Ordering online can save time and money. Also, you can research special needs of a certain breed and dietary needs. The website offers environmentally friendly tips for humans as well. Morrison concludes to say that just because the pet food is organic that does not make it the best for your pet, the most important thing is maintaining a nutritional balance.