A common marketing slogan for many pet food companies is the concept of “Gourmet Cuisine”. The word “gourmet” is of French origin, and most commonly used to describe food or drinks in human cuisine. If a pet food is marketed as “Gourmet”, it’s easy to get confused about what this actually means. Does it mean that the food is a good choice for your pet? Is “gourmet” pet food always nutritious? Here’s a quick guide to the real deal behind pet food formulas which are marketed as being “gourmet”.
Did You Know?
The term “Gourmet” is actually defined as being a “cultural ideal” for how food should appeal to a consumer. This means that the actual definition of “gourmet” is vague, and often open to interpretation. The word actually refers more to the presentation of the food than the actual taste or nutritional content. For example, if you believe that pet food should contain artificial colors to enhance the visual appeal of the food, you would describe artificially colored food as “Gourmet”. A similar concept could potentially be applied to any pet food formula. This is why the term “Gourmet” is so commonly used in the marketing of pet food formulas.
“Gourmet” Quality
When choosing a pet food, it’s essential that you look past the catchy slogans, marketing hype and cute commercials. When it comes down to it, the real quality of a pet food lies in the quality of its ingredients. For example, since cats are what is called “obligate carnivores”, they need to be fed a diet that contains a high percentage of meat-based protein. A cat food that contains a lot of simple carbohydrates, grains and added sugar will not provide the best nutrition for your cat. Also, many pet food formulas use by-products, since they’re often the “waste” materials from manufacturing plants that process human food.
That being said, it’s essential that you actually read the ingredients of your pet’s food formula. Look for formulas that contain the same quality of ingredients as are used in human food preparation. Stay away from heavily processed pet food, or pet food that has chemical preservatives. Try to avoid feeding your pet a food that doesn’t fit with their nutritional needs. By using these tips, you can provide a nutritious, balanced and truly “gourmet” diet for your pet.
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