Pet owners should ensure they know exactly what type of meat is used in pet food, it has been claimed.
Olivia Pires, store manager at Kriser's For Your Pet's All-Natural Life in Valencia, California, advised consumers to only purchase pet food which contains a named meat such as chicken or beef.
She told the Signal website: "Meal is rendered down meat, without water, that's ground. It still ensures adequate protein from a meat ingredient, but you want to know if it came from a chicken, a cow or what kind of animal."
The majority of pet food brands contain grains as the main ingredient, which Ms Pires claimed is not a natural component of a pet's diet, while many also contain preservatives.
"Your pet may seem fine on a certain food, but we're looking more long-term," she told the news provider. "A poor diet can cause lots of issues, such as obesity, diabetes and joint pain."
