Vet Techs Pushing Certain Dog Foods
As a vet tech it can seem like all sales reps want us to do is to promote their brand of dog food. Often times it seems like a clinic is defined by what kind of dog food it promotes. Vet techs are the ones who get asked about what type of dog food a client should feed their dog, and by only recommending the clinic brand you can be doing a disservice to the client.
Big cans, little cans, heavy bags and cute packs, soft foods, dry food, semi-moist, candies, biscuits, chewies, people-like crackers and gourmet bon-bons…
Today’s dog owner is confronted with a bewildering array of food for his pet.
In 1953, the National Research Council compiled and published nutritional requirements for dogs. The NRC is a federally established scientific body whose basic function is gathering research data.
After World War II, the pet food industry in the United States began an enormous expansion. Already a highly competitive business, pet food manufacturers quickly found themselves in neck to neck competition for a piece of this multi-million dollar a year business.
In order to survive and successfully compete in the market, pet food manufacturers knew that they must provide a dog food which was:
1) Nutritionally complete; containing all 26 nutrients that the National Research Council said that does need.
2) Palatable so that the dog would enjoy eating the food.
3) Easy and convenient for the customer to handle.
4) Economically competitive in the market.
Pet food manufacturers have established laboratories and hired nutritionists and food technicians to select those ingredients, which, when combined, will provide the sufficient nutrition to meet NRC standards.
As vet techs we are often put in the position of educating dog owners about proper nutrition. Just by knowing a few nutritional basics you can help the client make the right choices.
