Pet food labels can be very deceiving. Avoid preservatives such as BHT, BHA and ethoxyquin and by-products at all costs. Dietary sources of antioxidants include broccoli, peppers, zucchini, nuts, seeds, barley grass, string beans, peas, wheat grass, potatoes, yams, mustard greens, broccoli rabe, honeydew, cantaloupe, parsley, mackerel, and salmon. Raw fruits and vegetables are best. Some animals find them more palatable if steamed or boiled slightly.
Cats often prefer vegetables that are diced or sliced very thin or mashed.
Some prefer their food pureed. Dogs are more apt to eat a piece of raw carrot or potato, cats to taste a piece of salmon or cantaloupe. I do recommend antioxidant supplementation for pets of all ages. A prime antioxidant formula will contain barley, alfalfa sprouts, spirulina, kelp, vitamin B12, amino acids, enzymes, vitamins and minerals. It is best that products do not contain starch, sugar, gluten, colorings or preservatives.