Posts Tagged ‘Dog Foods’

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People are very aware of the nutrition that is contained in their own diet but sometimes we are not quite as aware of the quality of the food that we are feeding our pets. Dog foods are often commercial, high priced fillers that provide our best buddies with a full tummy and not much else. Sometimes the toxins and poor ingredients that are often found as the main products in commercial foods for dogs are doing more harm than good.

Pet owners do not mean to be ignorant of the facts, many of us are just trusting that well known names must mean that we are giving our best friends good nutrition. Sadly, this has proven to not be the case and we have recently seen pet food recalls and animals that have become severely ill when given foods that contain harmful ingredients.

Bad fats can lead to poor circulation and a weak heart, lack of good fats can give your pet a dull coat, and lack of proper vitamins in their diet can shorten their life and lead to poor overall health. Using cheap and unhealthy ingredients is a way for companies to increase their production and it allows the bagged and canned foods to last for a long time before the expiration date is reached. If you are one of the pet owners who assumes that one pet food is just as good as another, this information will open your eyes and your heart.

Unfortunately, most dog food products today contain the cheapest and poorest grades of grains, unhealthy and unsafe meat remnants and even artificial flavorings and preservatives that are not safe for humans or pets. Proteins and carbohydrates should be pure and of high quality to keep your pet healthy and happy. These are often only provided by using grains like bottom grade soybean, corn, and glutens. In fact, our own dogs can have natural allergies to these ingredients or they can develop allergies by being fed food that is not designed for their systems.

Many of the meat products used in our pet’s food are generated from dead or diseased animals and chemical additives. This leads to diseases, parasites, and illness in our furry friends. You should always check to see where your pet food was produced and manufactured. This requires some care because just because a state packaged the bag of food it does not mean that this is where the ingredients originated. We are all well aware of how many beloved pets succumbed to the pet food disaster that was sent to stores by oversea manufacturers who did not care about our animals’ lives. Products made by select American manufacturers should be high on your list of suppliers. You can check with your vet if you have any question about the quality of your pet food choices.

Our dogs need food that contains quality fiber, antioxidants, vitamins, protein, carbohydrates, and good fats. Are you thinking that these all sound rather familiar? It should, as it is very similar to what we humans require. Your dog has to depend on you to check things out for him, because he will try to eat what you give him, even if it is not good for him. A good, high quality dog food will contain quality meat, eggs, amino acids, vitamins, and even brown rice. These are all wonderfully good ingredients for your pet. Vegetables can be vital to a healthy pet diet and these will provide vitamins, antioxidants and a longer life for your dog. Look for a product that contains things like this as well as fruit. Some products are even beginning to add Lactobacillus Acidophilus for a healthy GI tract for your pet. These additives and ingredients will give your dog a healthy, shiny coat, clean breath, clear eyes, and a healthy body.

Pit Bull owners who love their pets obviously want to do what is best for them. They want them to have the best care possible and be happy. Part of providing the best care comes with providing the best nutrition. All of the different types of dog food produced can make deciding what is best difficult for owners. There are many selections that are very healthy and nutritional, while others are very unhealthy with little to no nutritional value. The most nutritional foods seem to be those offered by the larger companies, in part, because they routinely test for food quality and nutritional worth.

Out of all the different types of food available, dry food tends to be the least pricey. Many owners prefer dry food because they have several dogs and it costs significantly less to feed them. The quality and nutrition of dry food varies dependent on the manufacturer. One advantage to dry food is that it can be purchased in large quantities and stored for quite some time, allowing the owner to avoid trips to the store. Being able to store the food also helps the wallet, if you purchase it in bulk when it is on sale. Dry food also is easier to prepare for your dog, as all you do is pour it into a bowl. It also doesn?t smell bad, which is a plus for owners of indoor dogs. Storing dry foods for long periods of time may affect the nutritional worth of the food.

The semi-moist dog foods are usually made up of about twenty five percent water and meat products, making them very popular with most dogs, however, they are not very good for the dog?s teeth as they tend to be very high in sugar content. They are also high in preservatives and additives, which most owners would prefer to avoid. Semi moist food is usually the most expensive food to purchase. As with the dry food, it all varies with each manufacturer; ingredients, nutrition, quality, taste, are all different from brand to brand.

Canned foods win the popularity bonus hands down. Canned foods offer a full meal in one can, which is often convenient for pet owners. They usually are made from animal by products, and contain more moisture than other dog foods. They often contain the least preservatives, and are the easiest food for dogs to digest. Purchasing canned food can be expensive, especially if your dog eats a lot, or if you have several to feed.

As with buying any food, it is always recommended to read the labels, so that you know what the ingredients are. You don?t have to buy the most expensive food for it to be nutritional; you just need to be a smart shopper. It is important not to feed your Pit Bull too much, and to make sure he gets a lot of exercise. If you are still confused about the type of food that would be best, your veterinarian should be able to help.

Many pet owners these days are opting to shift away from commercial dog foods and towards all natural dog food, often of the homemade variety. It’s not as hard as many think to move to a natural homemade alternative diet for your pet. You should consult your veterinarian prior to making changes in your dog’s diet. Your vet is a good source for your pet’s specific nutritional needs; they are familiar with your dog’s medical history and can make you aware of any special needs your dog may have for supplements, and inform you if there’s anything that should be avoided.

Vegetables may be added to your pets diet if you are making homemade food for your dog. This is not only economical, but healthy. Crush or blend vegetables before adding however, otherwise your dog will be unable to reap the nutrients of the vegetables. The reason for this is that unlike humans, dogs are unable to break down cellulose and thusly need their veggies pre-pulped.

Fresh meats should be a major ingredient in a homemade all natural dog food program. Start your dog with lean meats such as chicken. Organ meats may be added later in moderation; a high fat diet is no better for your dog than for you. Be sure to cook meats before giving them to your pet. Although your dog will certainly be willing to eat raw meat, cooking it will destroy potentially harmful bacteria that could cause health problems.

Keep your dog’s diet balanced. This is key to any diet plan, whether for a human or for the family dog. Typically, a dog’s diet should be comprised of a ratio of 40% protein, 30% starch and 30% fiber. Again, consult with your veterinarian. They can help you figure out a plan for an all natural dog food plan that works optimally for your dog. Your veterinarian may also be able to point you towards resources to help you plan a healthy diet for your dog, as well as having valuable advice about what supplements your dog may require.

One good piece of preparation for switching your dog to a homemade diet is to look through websites on the topic (and there are many to be found). These sites often feature recipes for your pet, as well as containing a wealth of information from other dog owners who have already made the switch to all natural dog food.

Feeding all natural will greatly reduce the physical and mental speed of premature aging in our pets, associated with a lifetime of poor nutrition. Several degenerative diseases, such as cancer, kidney disease, heart disease, arthritis, skin problems, bowel problems (such as Pancreatitis), and even diabetes have been found to either be hurried up or slowed down very much by what is eaten. Please keep in mind that by also feeding a properly put-together home-made or raw diet will provide these same benefits, and more!

You should also be aware that feeding an all natural or holistic diet can actually save you money in the long run. So your dog benefits and so do you.

Just like humans, dogs are also prone to allergies and complications caused by food intake. There are certain dog foods that are considered harmful and even fatal if eaten by your k9 fellow.

Take for instance, dog bones. We often associate dogs as animals who love eating bones, but did you know that such food, either cooked or raw, can be harmful? Bones are not an advisable diet for dogs because they can puncture their internal organs and result to obstruction, specifically in the digestive system, if not properly chewed and swallowed. It is more recommended that you let your canine friend eat soft and wet foods that are easy to digest. Bones are dry, harmful dog food that can cause an upset stomach and dyspepsia.

There are also some vegies and fruits that are detrimental to dog’s health. Root crops such as onions and garlic are some of them. These vegetables are very toxic and can damage the kidneys of your pet. Tomatoes are unsafe for dogs too. Experts say this citrus fruit can result to canine tremors and heart arrhythmias. Mushrooms are also toxic and harmful dog food, commonly instigating abdominal disorder, diarrhea, even coma as side effects.

Canines are also not allowed to eat chocolates and drink coffee. Why is that so? Medical findings reveal that chocolates and coffee can slow down the metabolism of your dog and can later cause serious illnesses such as heart diseases and kidney failures. Chocolates and coffee contain elements such as caffeine that are toxic and can affect the dog’s circulatory and nervous systems. Take note that the darker the chocolate, the more harmful it is.

Many commercial dog foods being sold in the market today also contain specific ingredients and chemicals that are harmful to dogs. Among these ingredients include corn, ethoxyquin, artificial color, dairy and beef fat. As much as possible, don’t feed your dog with foods containing these ingredients. They are not totally poisonous, but can pose health problems in the long run. Dogs can poorly digest dairy products and food with high fat content.

So if you are serious about the safety and health of your dog, be extra careful in feeding him and never ever throw harmful dog food on his feeding bowl!

The author is a dog owner connected to a company that provides a huge selection of elevated feeders, dog supply and pet supplies at reasonable prices.

Protein provides the basic building blocks for any diet that is meant to generate strong, lean muscle. But too many pet foods are loaded down with gluten, which adds heaviness and bulk that is harder on the digestive system but does not convert into naturally useful proteins. Rather than tax the digestion of a dog, many educated pet owners are instead switching from ordinary dog food to special gluten free dog food. It is easier for the dog to digest it is also better for the animal’s overall health.

Reputable brands of gluten free dog food provide all the necessary and essential amino acids, proteins, and other key ingredients that go into a balanced and nutritious doggy diet – without the potential harmful and physically taxing levels of unwanted gluten found in inferior dog foods.

These healthier dog foods might use, for example, healthy ingredients such as sunflower oil, fish, and fish meal that is rich in beneficial omega three fatty acids. Other main ingredients in better dog foods are chicken and lamb, which can be complimented by flaxseed, alfalfa meal, and various herbs such as rosemary.

Gluten is the elastic part of the wheat or other type of grain that feels thick and starchy. Many animals are sensitive to it, and because it is rather gummy in its texture gluten can be much harder to break down and successfully digest within the body. Gluten is actually commonly used as a powerful binder and thickener by manufacturers of products like soups and artificial cheeses. So some people say that eating it is like eating a paste or adhesive, and that has obvious drawbacks for your dog.

Some canines also suffer from diseases like celiac disease, and for those dogs gluten in any form can be toxic, creating an adverse reaction within the digestive tract. To avoid this kind of problem while also ensuring that your dog has a first-class diet, ask your local pet store to show you their gluten free dog food selections and offer recommendations for your pet.

We all know the dangers of eating junk food or living on a diet of foods that are processed. We know about them and most of us make a point to avoid them. We also make sure that our children avoid them. This is often because hyperactivity and an array of behavioral problems have been closely linked with the diets of sufferers.

What many pet owners fail to see, is that by feeding our dogs a diet that mainly consists of processed, poorly prepared dog foods or the equivalent of junk food, they may be causing many of the behavioral and severe illnesses that are found in dogs today. Basically, the diet that you are feeding your canine companion could not only be making him aggravated, hyper or plain old mean it could possibly shorten his life span.

A well balanced diet provides quality nutrition and in turn keeps the cells, tissues and organs healthy. This enables an animals’ immune system to stay in top condition to fight any invaders.

The same holds true for behavior. If you ate fast food and candy bars everyday, eventually it will affect your energy level and your mood.

Because we love our pets, this may be a little confusing for those who think that they are doing the right thing, say, feeding their pets dog foods out of the can. Admittedly, not all dog foods are bad. However, many are and contain ingredients that are difficult for your pet to digest and can make him sick. So how do you weed out the good dog foods from the bad?

In order to give your pet the best life, you must make sure that he has the best type of lifestyle, just like us humans. Before buying pet foods, check the label to see what is in the food. Basically, the first five ingredients are important. Foods that list 2 or more grains in the first 5 ingredients may have more vegetable protein than animal protein which means less nutrition and more clean up.

Canned food can also be full of preservatives, to keep the food inside from going bad. Dog foods containing preservatives should be avoided. Not only has the pet food been filled with preservatives that could cause your pet harm, the pet food has been boiled at high temperatures in the cooking process causing any of the useful nutrition found in the food to be lost anyway. Proper cooking of pet foods will ensure that no preservatives are needed to keep it fresh.

Keep in mind that canned dog food mainly consists of water so feeding a canned diet alone will not give your pet the proper nutrition they need to live a healthy lifestyle.

So let’s look at the things that should be avoided when buying pet food:

• No Preservatives. Avoid foods that contain chemicals in them such as BHT or BHA. If these preservatives are found anywhere on the label, give the food a miss, as these chemicals can be harmful to your pet.

• No by-products. By-products are the parts of meat that are unsuitable for consumption, such as the feet, necks and intestines of other animals. As you can imagine these parts of animals were not made to be digested by humans, dogs or any animals for that matter.

• Beware of grains. Soy, corn, corn gluten and wheat gluten are often used as protein sources; however, they are generally inferior and difficult to digest.

Give your pet the chance at life that he deserves, feed him with a good nutritious premium dog food, free from preservatives and additives that are not meant for dogs. A great way to decide what is suitable for your dog to eat is ask yourself if you would eat it? If your answer is no, don’t feed it to your pet.

Do you know that most commercial dog foods are garbage? Your dog is at a high risk of early death IF you are feeding it with commercial dog food. You have been literally lied to. And you are indirectly putting your dog at risk!

Do you know that many dog foods contain preservatives and chemicals that are known to cause kidney failures and cancers, even though the manufacturing companies do not list these chemicals on the labels? These harmful chemicals are added at the rendering plants before the meat is sent to the manufacturer. Manufacturers do not need to list these toxins that they didn’t add. These companies know that they are killing hundreds of thousands of dogs worldwide, but they don’t care! All they want is business!

Here is the next shocking secret. Have you ever thought of what goes into the pet food? Your dog’s food contains euthanized cats, dogs and other animals! Sodium Pentobarbital, the drug used to kill these stray animals, remains active during processing and it goes directly into your dog’s food! If Sodium Pentobarbital is lethal enough to kill an animal, imagine what it would do to your beloved pet dog!

To sum it up, most commercial dog food is unsafe for your dog! If you love your dog, you should learn how to prepare healthy dog food. Dogs deserve good food as much as we humans do, and the last thing that you want to do is to kill your dog with its diet!

Chief Veterinary Surgeon of Darling’s Real Dog Foods, Tom Farrington explains why it is so important to feed your dog a raw food diet.

In a time when more and more pet owners are concerned about what they’re feeding their pets, finding a nutritious dog food can be pretty complicated. Lots of products on the market claim to offer complete and balanced nutrition for your pet, but in many cases, this is just a marketing term used to sell the product. Unfortunately, such labeling doesn’t mean that every food is equally good for your dog, rather that the percentages of protein, fiber, fat, and moisture meet the minimum standards. While any food your feed your dog should have this kind of labeling, that’s not all there is when it comes to nutritious dog food. When you decide what the best food is, you have to start with the label.

First, rule out the least expensive brands in the store. It’s not that you have to break the bank to buy a good dog food, but that cheap foods use cheap ingredients. The lowest cost dog foods on the market will use a lot of fillers and low quality ingredients, making them a lower value, even though they don’t cost a lot per bag. A nutritious dog food will be more expensive than a grocery store brand in most cases.

Secondly, pet owners need to learn to read pet food labels. Avoid foods that have a lot of corn, soy, or wheat, especially if they’re high on the ingredients list. These are very cheap sources of plant protein, which are hard to digest for dogs. They’ve been linked to a number of health problems, like colitis and urinary tract infections. Of course, dry dog food always contains some quantity of grain. However, choose a nutritious dog food that includes grain further down the list and uses ingredients like brown rice, barley, oats, or other easy to digest choices. Some foods also include potatoes.

The bulk of any nutritious dog food should come from animal sources, since dogs are naturally meat eaters. Avoid cheap filler ingredients like meals and by products, which can come from already stripped animal carcasses. Also, if you see a generic term such as ‘poultry’, ‘fish’, or ‘meat’, avoid that food in favor of one that names the type of meat used. Whole, named meats are the most desirable, and should come first on the list of most nutritious dog foods.

Colorants and other additives are also problematic. They’re in many different dog food brands, but they’re only there to make the product appeal more to the human who’s buying the food. Look for a food that includes as few preservatives, artificial flavoring agents and coloring agents as possible. These chemicals can cause allergic reactions in some dogs, and are undesirable in a nutritious dog food. While there are good foods out there, you might have to do some research to find them. However, if you care about your dog’s health, it’ll be worth it in the end. A nutritious dog food will make your dog happier, feel better, and live longer.