A buyer's guide pet products: with expert guidance from holistic vets, it's easy to make better nutritional decisions for your pet.(ask the holistic vets)

A major part of caring for your pet is providing the best possible nutrition--food and supplements. But how do you go about doing what's best for your pet when you are bombarded with confusing marketing claims from a bewildering multitude of products?

Better Nutrition to the rescue--we've consulted some of the nation's leading holistic veterinarians, all experts on diet and supplements. Here are their recommendations.

Q: What should pet owners consider when buying dog and cat foods?

a: Jean Hofve, DVM, Jamestown, CO: Feed your animals a variety of fresh, wet and whole foods (real meat, for instance) as much as possible. Kibble may be the most convenient for you, but it is heavily processed and very dehydrating (a particular problem for cats). Keep in mind that the word "natural" on a label doesn't mean a thing--any manufacturer can make this claim, and there are no regulations attached to using the term. A lot of pet food labels list "human-grade" ingredients. Again, this is a completely meaningless term. If possible, go for organic--it translates to better quality.

Roger DeHaan, DVM, Kings Mountain, NC: If you don't have time to prepare food for your pets and must feed them commercial kibble, be sure to buy high-quality products. How can you tell? The first ingredient listed on the package should be real meat (not "by-products," commonly found in cheaper pet foods). If possible, avoid foods with corn, soy and wheat. Any grain ingredients should be whole, ground grains. Pass up products with chemical preservatives, artificial flavors and dyes. Also, keep in mind that canned foods have been associated with hyperthyroidism in cats, possibly due to chemicals from the inner lining of cans. In most cases, unprocessed meat works best. Some additional tips:

* Add warm water or chicken broth to kibble.

* Replace about 20 percent of kibble with 1-2 raw egg yolks three times per week.