What Are You Feeding Your Dog? As silly as it may sound to some, a dog can really be a man or a women's best friend. We buy clothes for our dogs, jewelry, and even spend tons of money on dog training, but often times, we do not look closely enough at what we are feeding them. Unfortunately, whether the pet food you get is expensive or cheap, both can be just as unhealthy as the other. Nowadays, the issues that surround what you are feeding your pet can range from problems with food allergies to food that is harmful and needs to be recalled, or simply just does not have any ingredients in it that will provide a healthy diet for your dog nutrition. Let's first take a look at food allergies. You may be surprised to hear that dog's have food allergies just like we do. So it is very important that if you have to change their regular brand of dog food, to keep an eye out for any changes in them. The changes you should watch for are in their coat as well as changes in their behavior like being lethargic. When a dog is lethargic it means that they seem limp and lifeless, seemingly too sick to get up and move around. If you notice any issues like this after giving them the new food, you should consult with your Veterinarian to find out what they think you should do. More than likely they will recommend you keep them on a bland diet until they are recovered. But what happens when a food brand is recalled? We have all heard the headlines over the last few years about the pet food recalls. Some animals were just made sick by the food while others died. It is a very scary idea to not be able to trust the food you buy for your pets. However, with this onslaught of food recalls, the FDA is reported to be working harder to regulate the issue's surrounding these problems. What many people are turning to now in order to regulate what their pet eats is to make their own food. Yes, that is right they buy and prepare homemade meals for their best friend. And what's more, you will be amazed to learn that often times this alternative is cheaper in the long run. The reason behind this is because it will require less money in vet visits, and because what you make is more filling and healthy, your pet requires less of it. In fact, making homemade food is what many people who own hunting dogs have done for years. These pet owners know that their animal needs to be in peak condition and they know how to ensure this. Figuring out a balanced diet that you can make yourself is a great way to have piece of mind, and can be a much healthier way to feed your pet if you do it correctly. For idea's on good pet recipes, check online or ask your veterinarian.
Most people are completely aware of what commercially prepared dog food is actually comprised of, and you would be shocked to know the truth about some of the foods that are commercially available today. Your dog's health can suffer if you are feeding them the wrong food, and many commercially prepared dog food brands are simply not designed to keep a dog healthy, happy and active.
Dogs are infact carnivores. There are situations where they will eat other foods, but that does not mean that their stable diet should not be as carnivorous as possible. The first ingredient in the dog food that you purchase should absolutely be a source of meat based protein. If the first ingredient in your commercially available dog food is a grain or a vegetable then our advise to you is to switch brands. The first five or six ingredients should be primarily meat based protein sources, like chicken, beef and turkey. Fish or rice are moderately okay choices, but primarily you want to go for natural, meaty dog food when possible.
Your dog should be eating kibble primarily. Many pet owners will opt for canned wet food, mainly due to the convenience of it, and the fact that many dogs seem to prefer it. However, there is a reason why kibble is so important: It helps keep teeth clean, and healthy, and it aids in digestion. Wet food is a nice snack, but should not be the primary source of nutrients for the dog.
Some diets are better than others. Many people are beginning to get into the concept of raw diets, and the BARF diet which stands for Bones and Raw Food. While this is an ideal diet for a lot of breeds, it is not your only option. There are kibble brands out there that provide balanced nutrition, as they are created by dog food companies that are consistently updating their recipes and formulas in order to deliver the most efficient diets available based on scientific research and studies.
Are you ready to find a balanced nutritional diet for your dog? Check the label. Anything you buy for your dog to eat, you should check the label first. Just because there's vegetables and chunks of meat on the cover of the bag, that does not mean you are getting real, natural ingredients.
The ingredients should be primarily meat sources, and the grain sources should be adequately processed for maximum absorption by the dog's digestive system. The more artificial products and chemicals you find; the less healthy and nutritious the food should be considered to be. There are a lot of excellent dog food brands.
Your best bet is to shop around for different brands, flavours and types, compare the labels in order to get to know the ingredients, and find something that you really feel comfortable feeding. There's no harm in changing your dog's food if you find something better - Just make sure that you are always keeping your pet's best interest in mind.
Both Lizzie7 Novotny R.n.7 & Derek Rogers are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Lizzie7 Novotny R.n.7 has sinced written about articles on various topics from Dogs, Pets. Lizzie Novotny R.N. is the author of this article on . Find more information about. Lizzie7 Novotny R.n.7's top article generates over 2400 views. to your Favourites.
Derek Rogers has sinced written about articles on various topics from Leadership, Food and Drink and Computers and The Internet. Derek Rogers is a freelance writer who represents a number of UK businesses. For advice on pet food, he recommends Seapets, one of the UK's leading suppliers of