Pets: Your furry friends on four legs rely totally on you to keep them healthy.
But an Action News Jax Investigation found the food you pay extra for because it's natural, may not be as "natural" as you think it is.
Peri Hall makes sure her energetic lab Jenny Lynn eats well.
“I'm looking for mostly grain free, hormone free,” Hall said.
Go to any local pet store and you'll see the same word over and over on pet food: “Natural.”
"It is a new media term that has been picked up and has grown a lot of popularity," said Dr. Stan Hill with the Jacksonville Humane Society.
Hill knows exactly what pets need and what you'll find on your pet food label.
We went to several local pet stores and analyzed 13 major name brands that say "natural" on the label or use "natural" in its marketing. More than half admit to using meat by-products; others don't say at all, and by law they don't have to.
We found only five pet foods that declare they're by-product free. Our investigation also discovered that lower-cost brands sold at dollar stores contained the highest levels of corn, wheat and meat by-products.
Hill said while corn and wheat are natural, steer clear if it's the primary ingredient.
“It means you probably don't have adequate protein source to it and particularly if you're looking at cat food. Cats really don't need carbohydrates at all in their food,” Hill said.
Rice is a better option -- but it still shouldn't high on the ingredient list. Miller said meat by-products sound worse than they really are.
"It is a protein source. It may not be the best protein source. We would rather those are in smaller portions quite honestly," Hill said.
The message: don't be misled by the “natural” label on pet food.
“I don't believe a word of it,” said pet owner Pat Meredith.
Also, check to see if your pet food carries the Association of American Feed Control Officials designation, which is considered the gold standard for animal food. If the product follows AAFCO guidelines, it's considered safe for pets.
Hill also advised pet owners to stay away from the refrigerated section at pet stores. He said those products are often labeled as raw and could pose a health risk to pets and the people who handle the food.
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