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Many families consider their pets part of the family, so feeding the family pet healthy food should be part of the family dynamic. But how do you choose the best food for your pet to keep them healthy and active?

Here are a few tips to help you choose the food that will best suit your pet.

Read the ingredients in the food and the purchase the healthiest type of food that you can afford.

Choose a food that has the proper amount of protein for your pet. Age, activity and other factors will determine how much protein your pet will need. For instance, younger animals will need less protein than adults. Look for food choices that are labeled by age. For instance, choose one labeled puppy for your young canine companion. However, any food you choose should include protein sources such as lamb, beef or chicken. The protein should be the first ingredient on the list of ingredients.

Avoid animal byproducts such as chicken feet and bones that may be included in pet foods. Less expensive foods usually include these types of byproducts. More expensive food generally do not include byproducts. Ask your veterinarian for recommendations about higher-quality byproducts.

Check for and learn about preservatives. Almost every brand of dry pet food has preservatives. These preservatives can include artificial preservatives like BHT or ethoxyquin.

Choose whether to feed your pet dry or canned food, or even a mixture. Take into account that canned food is generally more expensive. However, both will provide your pet with a good nutritional balance, provided you have examined the ingredients.