The Importance of Doing a Dog Food Comparison
The food that you feed to your dog has much more significance than you may realize. There are literally hundreds of different brands and varieties of dog food, and it is important that you take the time to choose the food that is going to be best suited to your dog in particular. This is very important, and should be done when the dog is a puppy if possible, so that you can keep them on this same dog food for the rest of their life.
By doing this and keeping them stabilized on the same dog food long term, you will be ensuring they live the longest, healthiest life possible.
Dog Food Comparison
When it comes to choosing the dog food for your dog, there is really no way around it but to do a dog food comparison. Remember that the best way to determine the quality of your pet food is to carefully read and understand the label. There are a few questions that you will want to ask yourself when doing a dog food comparison by label.
This includes whether the food uses high quality ingredients, whether there is a quality meat source used as one of the first two ingredients, and if the ingredients are human grade. Just as you would with food for yourself and your family, you want to ensure that your dog is only going to be getting the freshest, healthiest and most natural ingredients.
Also in a dog food comparison you want to consider whether your dog is a puppy, adult, or senior, because this will play a major role in the determining of which food is going to be best for them. Also think about whether your dog has special needs or not, for instance if they are overweight or underweight. This is important because you will then want to feed them special foods that will help them get to an ideal weight.
A dog food comparison is going to be incredibly helpful to you, and will help you find the dog food that is going to give your beloved pet the longest, healthiest life possible. Also keep in mind that there are always new and updated dog foods being introduced, so you should always keep your eyes open to this in case a new one comes out that is better suited to your dog.
By giving them the right food and making sure they get plenty of exercise, your dog will be healthy and happy for years to come.
April 30, 2008
Benefits Of Using Organic Dog Food Brands
The organic wave has hit the shore and many are looking forward to more and more organic products every year. Organic food products not only cover food for people but also for companion animals as well. There are several dog food brands that have organic lines while some brands are really exclusively organic.
Dog food brands that are exclusively organic may be more expensive than other commercial brands but the benefits that you and your pet reap from organic dog food brands are immense. Dogs, like human beings, are also sensitive to the kind of foods and fluids that they ingest. Some dogs have even developed allergies pertaining to food that are reused or recycled as dog food. Other dogs are sensitive to eating other animals’ byproducts.
Feeding your dog organic dog food brands is beneficial because they usually contain food products that are organically grown and processed. This means that the dog food has not undergone chemical processing nor have no growth hormone additives that may alter your dog’s health. Other benefits of feeding organic dog food brands are getting the right weight and growth of the dog, reduction of skin allergies, reduce digestive problems and a better immune system.
Several dog food brands are very particular about the kinds of ingredients they put in their products. These are highly commendable companies that seek to make the world a better pace by providing products that are safe for the environment and for the animals these are fed to.
The Downside To Organic Dog Food Brands
There is actually just one downside to feeding your pets organic dog food. This downside is the cost of the organic dog food brands. All other organic products, may they be for humans or animals are really marginally more expensive than commercial products. This is because organic products need to be constantly monitored and the process is not commercial at all. It entails a lot more vigilance compared to other commercial products.
In spite of the rising cost of organic dog food brands and other organic products, people are leaning more and more towards organic products. The obvious reason for this demand for organic products is the concern that we have for our health and well being. We are also concerned with the welfare of our animal companions, which is why we prefer that they also eat organic dog food brands as well as use organic products applicable to them.
April 29, 2008
How to Choose Quality Dog Food
When searching for quality dog food it is vital that you read the label and have the knowledge to understand and interpret the information you find. When reading the label, look for the first fat or oil that is listed. All items placed above the first fat source are considered to be the main ingredients along with the first fat source. The other items shown on the label are typically added to the dog food for flavor, as preservatives, to aid in the processing of the food or for health benefits such as minerals or vitamins.
It is important that you check the ingredients for their nutritional value. However, due to the names the manufacturers use for food items it can be somewhat difficult to analyze the usefulness of the food substances. It is difficult to know what quality grade of food items they are placing in the foods as well as the quantity of the ingredients.
Surf Manufacturer’s Websites
The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) does not allow dog food manufacturers to place information on the labels regarding the quality of the food substances. It is important to read the information that is available on the websites of the various pet food companies and carefully read the information they provide about the quality of the ingredients they use in their products.
Protein
Protein is the most vital substance in your dog’s diet and you want to make sure the food you serve your pet uses quality sources of protein. Quality dog foods usually have a meat meal listed as the first ingredient on the label or a meat with the second ingredient being a meat meal substance. Meat by-products are not high quality protein sources. If the label mentions a specific type of meat meal, such as chicken meal this type of protein source is not inferior to whole meats. Avoid products that do not mention the specific animal the meat source comes from.
Regarding fats look for chicken fat, herring oil canola oil, sunflower oil, flax oil and other fat sources with specific names. See if the quality fats such as Omega three and Omega six are on the label. Avoid dog foods that contain nonspecific items such as animal fat, poultry fat, vegetable oil and other nonspecific fat sources.
Look for whole grains which may also be categorized as meal or ground and also look for fresh vegetables. Avoid products that are filled with too much grain fragments and flour. Also the quality dog foods are typically preserved with natural substances such as vitamins. When looking for quality food products that will keep your dog healthy make sure you examine the label and read information provided at the websites of the dog food manufacturers.
April 19, 2008
Hard To Spell, Easy To Feed Canidae Dog Food
Canidae dog food and Feliadae cat food are gourmet lines of pet food that features human grade food ingredients. Canidae dog food is not to be confused with Canine Caviar dog food, affected by the massive pet food recall of early 2007. Since food allergies are on the rice in pet dogs, Canidae dog food is not made with corn, wheat, soy or artificial preservatives that make up the bulk of ingredients in most other brands of dog food. Instead, they feature meat – what a concept in dog food!
The Difference
The most obvious difference between Canidae dog food and a brand like Alpo is the price. This is premium food, and consequentially carries a much higher price tag. Your dog will probably gobble Alpo just as willingly as Canidae. So, what’s the big difference? Alpo is junk food, made of sugar, salt and anything swept off a slaughterhouse’s floor. It is also loaded with “fillers” that make a bulk of the food that include hard to digest but yummy items like corn, soy and wheat.
Your dog will not be able to digest Alpo or other cheap brands of dog food as well as a premium brand like Canidae dog food, because there’s just not a lot the dig’s body can use. Believe it or not, your dog will poop a lot less when eating a premium brand of highly digestible dog food rather than junk food like Alpo.
Different Dogs Need Different Food
Man shall not live by bread alone and neither can dogs. Dogs have differing nutritional needs throughout their lives. Growing puppies and highly active dogs like police dogs need high protein, high calorie foods. Senior dogs, who are slowing down, don’t need the diet they had when they were younger. If you continue to give them this diet, they will get very fat and develop health complications from their excess fat.
Canidae dog food realizes this and helps you select the best nutrition for your dog, no matter what stage of life he or she is in. They have lines for puppies, adults, workers and seniors (PAWS). They even have a line for overweight dogs (don’t say “diet” around your dog – they seem to know what it means).
Canidae dog food comes in canned food and dry kibble. The flavors are chicken, lamb, turkey and fish. Beef and pork are considered too high fat and too contaminated by growth hormones to be of much benefit to dogs. Some dogs don’t seem to mind beef or pork, but if your dog develops a food or skin allergy, then high fat food will greatly aggravate their condition.
