Category Archives: Food

Food

The Best Dry Dog Foods

When you are looking for high quality dog foods, and in particular dry dog foods, you need to be really diligent about looking at the ingredients that are included in the food. In fact hypoallergenic dog food solves many problems when you are looking for a very good quality food.

The next item that should get your full attention is the preservatives or lack of preservatives that are used. The manufacturing process for dry dog food in particular requires baking at high temperatures.

When this takes place many of the preservatives used can under go a change in their chemical makeup. Generally this is not for the better. There are studies that claim when high heat is applied to the preservatives they can become very harmful to a dog’s liver and kidneys.

The best dog foods do not use corn, wheat, soy, dairy, or bone meal. These are all considered filler items that are used to bulk up the food. They are also designed to make the dog feel full and yet they lack vital nutrients and vitamins.

Fillers are mostly carbohydrates and dogs in a natural wild state would not eat very many carbohydrates and their digestive systems are not designed to handle large amounts of carbohydrates. The end result of consuming these can be the development of food allergies and other illnesses.

The best dry foods will have little or no fillers. Their main ingredients will be salmon, organic chicken, lamb or venison. Brown rice and fruits will be used as the carbohydrates. They will also have very little in the way of chemical preservatives. The natural preservatives are vitamin A and vitamin E. Foods preserved with these however have a much shorter shelf life and can become spoiled much sooner that foods that use artificial preservatives. For the best results buy the less preserved food and shop more often for it. It maybe inconvenient but it will vastly improve the quality of your dog’s food. And check out the hypoallergenic dog food isle.

There you have it, look carefully at the ingredients, the preservatives and the protein sources that are used in the dry dog food and then make your choice. There are many good brands on the market and many misleading labels.

Food

How To Find The Right Dog Food

For those with dogs, food is among the biggest needs that must be well taken care of. Your furry friend has nutritional requirements that should be met. Of course, you would want to strike a balance between providing food that he likes and food that is good for him.

Today, you will be overwhelmed by the many dog food options in the market today. To help you determine the best options and fully understand the importance of good food, experts have shared some tips for buying the right dog food.

A Simple Guide To Buying Food For Dogs

Feed by nature – Dogs before were wild so they mainly eat live animals. This means that they consume raw animal meat and bones, organs, tissues, and hair. They also consume plant matter in small amounts. But today, domesticated dogs have evolved to be carnivorous, while also eating those fit for omnivores.

Puppy to adult – Puppies certainly need to feed on their mother’s milk, similar to any kind of mammal. At approximately 8-12 weeks of life, they will start weaning off the milk and begin eating solid food. As your puppy becomes an adult, you will find that there are different kinds of food that they must eat to ensure good health. It is highly recommended that you take your pet to a reliable vet to gain valuable advice regarding good food to feed him based on his health status, age, and specific conditions.

Home-prepared or commercial pet food – Most pet owners are often faced with 2 options. You can either feed the dog raw or cooked meats or with commercial pet food from the store. Choosing which kind of food to give him will depend on the dog’s specific requirements.

Bear in mind that no two dogs will have similar dietary needs. Hence, it is very important for you to consult your vet about the right diet to follow. You will know that your pet is eating right if he has a normal energy level and appetite, fresh breath, clean teeth and ears, a glossy coat, no elimination issues, not itching, and an overall good disposition and attitude. If your dog is healthy, you will see that he is very happy.

Some Foods To Avoid

As much as you want your pet to eat nutritious food that he truly enjoys eating, you need to be very careful in not giving him foods that can be toxic. Some of the food you must not give your pet will include garlic, avocado, chocolate, raisins and grapes, coffee or any product with caffeine, citrus fruits, mushrooms, corn cobs, green or unripe tomatoes, salt and seasonings, and nuts.