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Read the Fine Print
The fine print states that the self-regulated pet food industry is tasked to abide by the Australian Standard for the Manufacturing and Marketing of Pet Food Standards (The Australian Standard AS5812). The RSPCA have detailed how the pet food industry is regulated here. And further information on The Pet Food Industry Association of Australia (PFIAA) recommended standards can be found here.
It should be noted by all pet owners that compliance with the recommended standards is not compulsory. However, companies that are certified in compliance with the standards are audited yearly by an independent third party. You can find a list of PFIAA members here.
What You Can Do
1/ Use Our Knoweldge
It is our duty as responsible pet owners to do this food-label-reading homework on behalf of companion animals. The Village Vets are trained to identify ingredients so give us a call, we know how hard this is and we are here to help. We have taken time to research nutrition options for your pets and only sell vet-recommended food at our practices.
2/ Report an Issue
If you suspect your dog or cat has become unwell from eating pet food or treats, be sure to check in with the vet for the welfare of your pet. You can report the problem to both the manufacturer and the Pet Food Industry Association of Australia (PFIAA) https://pfiaa.com.au who’s mission it is to promote and uphold standards of excellence in the pet food industry in Australia.
3/ Tell us about the Issue
Your vet is also able to submit a PetFast Report to the Australian Veterinary Association (AVA) which will assist the AVA to identify possible patterns in recurring food issues that might point to a cause.
It is critical for your pets health that a weight issue be identified and controlled. However there are many factors that affect how to do this safely and guarantee a good outcome for your pet. We know this is a complex area and we are here to help. Give us a call today and we can partner with you through this difficult area of pet management.
Sources
- Kirsty Andrews, Practice Manager, The Village Vet
- RSPCA Knowledge Base https://kb.rspca.org.au/knowledge-base/
- Vets Choice https://vetschoice.guildinsurance.com.au
- WSAVA https://wsava.org
- Pet Food Industry Association of Australia (PFIAA) https://pfiaa.com.au
- Australian Veterinary Association https://www.ava.com.au/
