Facts About Dogs

Have you noticed everything that is going on regarding the commercial dog food industry?

With all of those recalls last year, dog owners are rethinking the type of dog food to give their beloved four legged friends. Have you given much thought to all science diet dog food? There is one main issued in the commercial foods and that is quality… Or lack there of. The commercial brands of food that we are feeding our dogs is causing them to get sick.

When it comes to the benefits of feeding your dog natural balance dog food, you are going to find many. Simply put, it is much more healthy for your pet – just like eating natural foods is more healthy for you. Natural foods do not have harmful chemicals or fillers in them which can cause illness and disease.

There are plenty of natural foods on the market that you can buy for your pet, but before you settle on a brand, you might want to talk to your Vet and see if they have something they recommend. Take note that dogs systems can be sensitive and if you change your dogs diet suddenly it can cause stomach upset and diarrhea.  So, if you are switching foods, you’ll want to add in the new food gradually.

So, what exactly should you choose for your pet to eat?

As you know, meat is known for being the main part of a dogs diet. Beef, in addition to chicken and fish are important to make that your furry friend is getting enough protein.  In effect, your dogs diet should consists of about 50% protein which should come from full meat products (not by-products).

As stated above, you can buy wellness dog food, or you can simply cook the foods for him yourself.  Dogs eat a very similar diet to humans so you could include some of your dinner meats along with some grains (oats, brown rice, pasta) and vegetables for a well rounded diet.  Dogs need a bit of extra fat for healthy skin and a nice coat so add some fresh fish oil to your pets meal.  Finally, don’t forget the veggies – green beans, carrots, peas, apples, blueberries, and spinach are all great foods to feed Fido – they’ll help provide him with vitamins and minerals for health and longevity.

Examples Of Natural Dog Food Recipes
A natural dog food recipe of commercial dog food may emphasize the vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and antioxidants contained in the food. Some commercial dog foods contain phrases on the dog food labels that indicate that the food has natural ingredients.

What Is Organic, Raw Dog Food About?
Organic raw dog meat should have no added chemicals or hormones, and should be of the free range variety.

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Dogs are more like humans than we realize and, believe it or not, there is a such thing as dog food allergies. Just like in people, dogs who are allergic to certain types of ingredients commonly found in dog food can exhibit any number of symptoms from skin problems to digestive problems to hair loss.

Actually, dog food allergies are one of the most common type of allergy for dogs. While most people tend to associate a food allergy with digestive problems, this is not true in most cases.  Commonly, a food allergy manifests itself through the skin with skin and hair problems in dogs.  So, if you notice your dog having any type of problem, you might want to consult your Vet to rule out as dog food allergy before you start him on a battery of expensive tests and medicines.

If you find that your pet has an allergy to a certain food, then it is very important for health reasons that you figure out exactly what it is. Once you discover the allergy, it is your job to make sure you pet does not eat that certain type of food anymore.  Luckily, this can be easily done, as there are special foods now that are made specifically for dogs with food allergies.

Generally, there is no cure for allergies. The only choice one has would be to avoid that certain type of food all together. Typically, dog food allergies are caused by dairy, beef, wheat, corn, soy and chicken which, coincidentally, are the most common ingredients in commercial dog foods.  If your dog has a food allergy, you need to eliminate these ingredients one by one in order to determine which one is causing the allergy, then you must seek a food that does not have that ingredient(s).

So, how do you know if your dog has a food allergy?

Some common signs that your pet may have allergies are sneezing, scratching and itchy skin, hair loss, ear infections, hot spots and skin infections. If you believe your pet is dealing with dog food allergies, then it is your responsibility to take action to relieve them of the problem. The first step is a visit to the vet who can properly diagnose the problem and outline a course of action.

Providing Relief from Dog Allergies
If your dog displays an increased incidence of bowel movements it may also be a sign of food allergies. In general, dogs have around one and a half bowel movements per day, whereas food allergies usually increase the amount to three or more daily.

New Dog Food For Allergies
Yet few dog owners realize that these often-painful allergy symptoms may be remedied simply with the right nutritious food.

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The debate over proper dog nutrition has been going on for quite some time with many different experts weighing in on the subject.  One of the schools of thought is that the best diet to feed your dog is a raw dog food diet.  Some say this is closest to the natural way that dogs are supposed to eat, but is it really a good choice for your pet?

We all know that our four legged friends are natural hunters. However, due to domestication, they no longer go out and hunt their own food. Today, they fully rely on their owners placing the food in their bowls each and everyday. Therefore, there is no longer a reason for your furry friend of yours to search for raw meat anymore. But is this really the best thing?

Some people swear that a raw food diet is the best thing to feed your dog.  Why give your dog this type of diet? Well, if you think about it, when they are living in the wild, what do they eat? They eat raw meat, of course. They have no way of cooking food they find and there is no factory manufacturing dog food pellets out “in the wild”.

So what is a raw dog food diet?

A raw dog food diet consists of natural foods as close what they would get in the wild as possible.  Raw meat, cooked whole grains, ascorbic acid, one teaspoon of oil, kelp powder and vegetable puree is considered a perfect nutritional meal for dogs by some. Of course, since you are providing the food, you can improve a little on what your dog would actually be able to hunt for on his own and feed him some things (like cooked oats) he might not get in nature, but which help balance his meal nutritionally.

There are many benefits to a raw dog food diet. For example, it is healthy for your dogs digestive system and immune system. It will give your pet cleaner gums, teeth, healthier skin and a coat that is smoother. And it will also give your pet more energy.

There is no denying that this type of diet is a whole lot better for your pet and dogs seem to like it too! If you start your dog on a raw food diet, you will see a lot of changes in his appetite, his bad breath will go away and even his stools will be easier to deal with. All in all, this is a good choice of diet for any dog!

Ingredients of Raw Food Diet
The raw food diet contains a large amount of protein from raw meats, raw bones, eggs, dairy products, supplements, fruits and vegetables, and eliminates processed and commercial foods which usually have grains as their main ingredients.

Grain free Raw diet Dog food preparation ***HomeMade Dog Food***
Here is my take on dog food preparation. If it bothers you to feed this raw, you can blanch the veggies and cook the meat, but don’t include the superfoods (spirulina, kelp) or vitamins or supplements until you’ve allowed it to cool.

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Have you ever taken a look at the ingredients listed on a bag or can of commercial dog food? If so, depending on which brand you looked at, chances are you wondered how it could be healthy. Sadly, the truth is that most commercial dog foods are no healthier for your pet than a bag of potato chips is for you. So, before you allow your dog to take another bite of that chow you have been giving them, you should read this article on choosing a healthy commercial dog food.

Commercial dog foods are a great convenience but what you are gaining in convenience, you might be losing in the health of your pet. Luckily, there are some commercial foods that are nutritious too. When push comes to shove, you should make sure the food you are feeding your dog is the best out there. This will require you to do your research on the subject. Not only should you familiarize yourself with the ingredients, but you should also familiarize yourself with the brands that are available.

The first thing you need to do is understand what the best ratio of food components is for your dogs diet. For example, it should be about fifty percent meat, ten percent grain and about forty percent fruits and vegetables. When you choose a pet food that is close to this ratio, then you have probably chosen a food that will meet your dogs nutritional needs.

As you are looking at the ingredients, you should make sure that meat meal protein sources are at the top of the line. Basically, meal is meat that has been pre-cooked. When you are looking at low quality foods, you will generally find a meat ingredient first. That meat ingredient will be followed by a number of fillers and by-products. Yes, meat has been listed as the first ingredient, but there are more fillers and that changes the ratio, so you want to avoid anything that has a lot of by products or fillers listed.

When choosing a commercial dog food, preservatives are necessary in order to keep the dog food from going stale. However, those preservatives should not artificial chemicals. Did you know artificial chemicals could cause cancers? In fact, you should avoid any foods that have chemical preservatives such as BHT, BHA and Ethoxyquin.

Typically, healthy commercial dog foods are going to be more expensive, but your dog may actually eat less of them since they are not loaded with fillers that have no nutritional value and, therefore, it takes less food to meet his nutritional needs. You want to look for foods that are natural and/or organic as these will be free from toxins. Feeding a healthy commercial food to your dog may cost a bit more, but you will be paid back with lower vet bills and a healthy dog that lives a long life.

Problems With Commercial Dog Food
Many dog owners have concerns about the ingredients and nutritional value of commercial dog food. The poor quality of the protein content and the presence of chemical preservatives are common problems with manufactured dog food.

How Dog Food May Affect Your Pet’s Health
Today there is no way to concretely determine the health consequences of commercial dog food and grain based diets.

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