"Sirloin Steak Flavor" Did you catch it or has this pet food sales line caught you before? The trick here is 'Flavor'. This pet food sales trick is a common one - it implies the food contains steak. Yet when the food name says 'flavor' that is all it has to contain - just the flavor of sirloin steak. If it contained actual sirloin steak - it would cost three times more (at least) and would not say 'flavor'.

"Albacore Tuna Flavor" Wow, this pet food has the high priced Tuna Flavor. Not just Tuna Flavor, but Albacore Tuna Flavor.

"Big Meaty Flavor" I think you get the point.

"Meaty Taste" No mention of Flavor here...but it does 'taste' like meat.

"Made with Real Meat Juices" I'm pretty sure optimal nutrition comes from real meat - not real meat juices.

"New Colors and Shapes" Oh I hope this line hasn't hooked you. New colors? Animals that don't see colors don't care what new dyes are added to their food!

"Smart Nutrition" As opposed to Dumb Nutrition?

"Taste Guaranteed" Hmmm, the Taste is guaranteed to taste like what? Flavor?

"Now Better Tasting" Better than Sirloin Steak Flavor?

"Made with Real Meat" Unfortunately there are pet foods that are made with Fake Meat. Otherwise known as by-products, meat and bone meal, and meat meal on your pet food ingredient list. The official definition of by product is: "meat by-products is the non-rendered, clean parts, other than meat, derived from slaughtered mammals. It includes, but is not limited to, lungs, spleen, kidneys, brain, livers, blood, bone, partially defatted low temperature fatty tissue, and stomachs and intestines freed of their contents."

I hope this brief understanding of the tricks to pet food selling has helped you. Try not to read anything on a pet food label except the ingredient list, the best by date, and the guaranteed analysis. If you'd like to learn more about how to find quality foods and treats for your dog or cat visit the 'Paws Club' page at www.TruthAboutPetFood.com.