Your dog’s health and well being is important to you and your family.
Not to mention keeping down the cost of veterinarian bills! So you need
to carefully consider the food that you give your dog. People sometimes
just pick the first dog food bag they see at the store. It’s easy to
overlook the importance of dog food but it is essential to pick the
right one for your dog.
To keep your dog healthy he needs plenty of fresh water and should be
fed good quality dog food in amounts just right to meet his energy
requirements. Always follow the guidelines on the dog food package for
recommended feeding amounts.
Picking a dog food
The first challenge in choosing a dog food is picking one that has
overall quality. The term that comes up a lot about dog food is human
grade. Human grade implies that the dog food is good enough for us to
eat. Many commercial dog foods are made from materials unusable or less
desirable for human consumption. Often the meat that is used in dog food
is of a quality considered unfit for humans to eat.
Major dog food companies try to provide balanced proportions of
vitamins and minerals for maximum benefit to your dog. Although you may
see that many brands of dog food have almost identical labels, a
reputable dog food company will provide an explanation for each
supplement and how it benefits your dog.
Always read the label to see what proteins, vitamins and minerals are
being provided to your dog. Try not to use store brand dog food they
may short change your dog on much needed nutrition.
Studies have shown that the primary ingredient in dog food should be
meat-based protein, not corn meal, flour or corn gluten meal. According
to reviews a better quality dog food results in a healthier coat, fewer
digestive problems and firmer stools. Pet-nutrition experts agree that
the best dog food is made from human-grade ingredients like meat, whole
grains and vegetables. Premium dog food is so important because good
nutrition is essential for a long, healthy life.
Types of dog food
There are many varieties of dog food to choose from. The three most
popular types of dog foods are dry, semi-moist and canned products.
Check the color of your dog food. Usually dog food made from natural
ingredients will have soft earth tones and contain no preservatives,
artificial colors and flavors.
Raw dog food is becoming more popular. More and more veterinarians
recommend feeding your dog with raw dog food. They feel that this is the
best choice and is the healthiest food for your dog. After all, you’ve
never seen your dog enjoy commercial dog food the way he enjoys a good
meaty bone.
Raw food advocates concede the diet costs more than traditional dog
food, but they argue it’s worth it. You may find that locating free
natural home made dog food recipes is not easy. Try making a mixture of
ground turkey, rice and carrot as your own dog food. Your dog will thank
you for it.
If you decide to go the commercial route, try and choose a good
premium dog food since it contains more energy and protein than an
economy brand. Unfortunately not all dog food brands contain high
quality and natural ingredients, so always check the label. It is best
if you seek advice from your veterinarian before deciding on which dog
food to feed your dog or puppy. He will know your dog’s dietary needs
and you will find that veterinary offices and feed stores often carry
excellent and natural dog food.
All Natural Dog Food
Many natural dog foods contain only fresh, natural and wholesome
ingredients for your dog. Not only are the protein ingredients
digestible, but the carbohydrates in the dog food are digestible.
Natural dog food has 100% nutritional value which is important for
healthy strong dogs. Chicken, egg and fish are examples of protein that
is provided in natural dog food. There are also ingredients in natural
dog food that really help the health of your dog’s skin and also your
dog’s coat. One of the main draw backs of natural dog food is that it
has a shorter shelf life and may spoil before it is used.
Dried Dog Food
A good high quality dry dog food will work out to be more economical
than the generic brands even though they cost more per pound. A vast
majority of dog owners go for dry dog food for its convenience and ease
of storage. The cheaper dry dog foods are made from soybean, corn or
rice, while many premium dry dog foods are made with all-natural,
human-grade ingredients.
Vegetarian dog foods
There are dog foods specially formulated for dogs that are allergic
to wheat, corn, and/or chicken. There are also vegetarian dog foods
marketed to owners who do not want their dogs to consume meat products.
Most vegetarian dog foods use soy as a protein source. If your dog has
allergies consult your vet before putting him on a specialized diet.
Conclusion
Overall it’s usually best to let dogs enjoy dog food and not our
food, even though they may prefer what we’re eating! Of course you can
feed your dog treats from time to time, every dog needs some TLC from
time to time!