Dog Food

A Raw Dog Food Diet Can Be Good for Your Best Friend

Monday, December 12th, 2011

A Raw Dog Food Diet Can Be Good For Your Best Friend

A raw dog food diet means feeding the pet food free from all commercial type fare. The products at the supermarket almost always have preservatives, colorants and other additives. They are not really suitable for dogs.

If we could return our dogs to their natural way of eating, they should be healthier, live longer and enjoy a better quality of life. Some natural dog food recipes are available. They list raw meat, grain, vegetables, beans and fruits like pear, apple and oranges as acceptable ingredients in a balanced meal.

Even though dogs are natural meat eaters, some people may decide that it is dangerous to feed a dog raw meat. This is because the raw meat may contain bacteria. Experts say that a vegetable only diet is fine. So is a raw meat diet, provided the meat comes from a trusted source. Vegetables are easier to digest and may solve problems associated with the bowel.

A natural diet is considered richer in proteins and minerals as well as vitamins and carbohydrates. This is because there is no heating. Cooking can change the composition and nutritional value of food.

An advantage of switching to the natural product is that the dog will eat what nature intended it to eat. Just as processed groceries full of additives are not good for humans, they are not good for dogs. Unfortunately often that is all you will find in the supermarkets and often even at the vet. Dogs eat it only because of the flavoring added to it. Coloring is often added, not for the dogs, but for the human buyers. The animals could not care less about the color.

Then there is the question of itchy skin. If a dog is forever scratching with no evidence of fleas in the bath water, there must be another reason. That can often be found in its diet. You may be surprised at just how fast this problem can disappear with something that is natural in the food bowl.

Sometimes allergies can make a dog’s life difficult. It may look like a skin problem or ear infection. Often this is not the case. Feed the animal the stuff it needs and the allergy will disappear. When it eats the correct balance of vitamins and minerals you will no longer have to spend money on supplements.

If you plan to breed dogs and feed them only a natural diet, start the change for the female dog long before introducing her to a male. Feeding your female dog this kind of diet prepares her body for the period of pregnancy. It also helps her to get used to the raw food. Changing the diet after she is already pregnant is not recommended.

A natural diet is easier for the dog to digest because their digestive system was designed to deal with it. No so the case with additives, and colorants. You will notice an improvement in the health of the animal when it develops a thick shiny coat. Natural fare will also quickly take care of most bad breath problems the pet may have. Even the teeth will be healthier and cleaner. In general, many aspects of the dog’s health may improve with a raw dog food diet.

Jamie is a dog health practitioner who strongly is convinced that converting your pet to raw dog food is the best decision you can make for your canine. Discover more about raw dog food.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jamie_Lansley
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Myths About a Raw Dog Food Diet

Saturday, December 3rd, 2011

Myths About a Raw Dog Food Diet

Introduction

There is much controversy that surrounds a raw dog food diet. Experts on forums and most veterinarians will warn you that there are serious health consequences and the risks of bacterial infections when serving your dog raw food recipes.

But are these warnings valid?

Myth #1 – Risk of bacterial infection from raw food

One of the most persistent myths about raw food diets is the danger of bacteria such as salmonella and E. Coli. But let’s face it, dog’s routinely eat items that would send any human to the emergency room: garbage, other dogs’ stools, roadkill. For goodness sakes, they spend an inordinate amount of time licking their own behinds!

Here as in many other misconceptions about canine nutrition, we confuse a dog’s digestive and immunity system with our own. The truth is that dogs have powerful stomachs and a digestive system that can handle much more bacteria than we can. In addition, their immune systems are built in such a way that bacteria does not impact them in the same way.

Expert veterinarian and noted author, Dr. Richard Pitcairn comments in his book on canine nutrition that in the 15 years of recommending raw dog food diets to his clients, he has never encountered a case of E. coli or salmonella.

The folks over at Leerburg Kennels, who know a thing or two about breeding dogs and whose dogs are used in law enforcement and competition, have been feeding their dogs raw food diets for over 45 years. Again, nary a whisper about salmonella infections.

Veterinarians and dog nutrition

The truth is that most veterinarians have little training in canine nutrition. If they did, they would stop recommending commercial pet food which consists primarily of grains. This type of food is extremely difficult for your dog to digest, leads to a host of allergies for many dogs and is responsible for over-eating, diabetes, weight gain, and numerous other problems.

Indeed, the information that vets receive in school is often funded by pet food companies and may even be supplied by pet food representatives as part of the curriculum. In addition, many veterinarians receive kickbacks and make a profit by retailing dog foods.

Myth #2 – Dogs will choke on bones

Another fairly widespread misconception about a raw food diet is that your dog will choke on the bones given in raw food recipes.

Uncooked bones, the kind that form part of raw meaty bone (RBM), are soft and are easily bent, chewed and digested.

A typical raw dog food serving for a 50 lbs dog would be 1- 1 1/2 cups of chicken necks or backs, for example. You could also go with pork ribs or turkey necks instead. If that isn’t one of the easiest dishes to prepare, I don’t know what is.

IMPORTANT: Certainly, COOKED bones are a different story. Indeed, these should NEVER be given to your dog. Cooked bones become brittle and can easily splinter causing injury or death. But a raw meaty bone is not the same as a cooked bone.

As a last resort if you are still not comfortable with giving your dog a bone, you can grind them. The important aspect is that RMBs are rich in calcium and fatty acids thus, you will not have to supplement these things in your dog’s diet.

Kent Simmons believes that homemade dog food recipes are the best thing that ever happened to your dog.

For more great information on a raw dog food diet or to learn more about homemade dog food recipes, visit www.recipes4dogfood.com.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kent_Simmons
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What Dog Food Is Best? a Philosophical Answer

Friday, December 2nd, 2011

Introduction

When looking for information on what dog food is best, whether in forums, chat rooms or simply through Google’s search function,there is no shortage of top 10 lists one finds. There are rankings for best organic food or best dry food, best wet food, best grain free dry food, etc. Ultimately, what lies at the heart of this need for information is a desire to know that we are truly providing the best nutrition for our furry friends.

Taking a Step Back

I have already written quite a few articles regarding the downsides of how pet food is rated or regarding the questionable ingredients in many dog foods. You can check those articles for more practical answers to the dilemma we face regarding our dog’s nutritional needs. In this article, I want to explore a philosophical answer to the question of the best dog food. Are you ready for the answer? Here goes, no one really knows what dog food is best and you should stop obsessing about it?

Your Dog’s Amazing Body

In the first place, your dog’s body is an incredible piece of complex biological processes. Your pet food manufacturer doesn’t understand it, neither does your veterinarian, neither does a nutritional dog food “expert” concocting different formulas of “balanced” diets. What we know is so incredibly small, compared to what we don’t know of this living, breathing, powerful friend we know as our dog. Trust me on this.

There’s No Such Thing as Balanced in Nature

Secondly, in nature, there is no such thing as a balanced meal. In the wild, some days there are plenty, some days there is little. But there is no stressing out whether a meal has probiotics, or all the right minerals, or has the right amount of protein. That is the realm of science, which tries to reduce everything down to formulas.

Of course, this makes owners stress over whether they are feeding their pets a balanced diet. And naturally, the “complete” pet food formula by dog food manufacturers relieves this type of feeding anxiety. Let us take care of your dog’s nutrition say the pet food experts. This is a heavy piece of wool they have pulled over our eyes.

What matters most in a dog’s diet is variety and consistency over time, oh and of course, natural ingredients for which you don’t need a chemist degree to decipher.

Deep Down You Already Know What Is Best

Finally, and this is perhaps my most important point, why are you searching for the highest rated dry pet food, or the healthiest dog food, or dog food rankings, when deep down in your heart you know manufactured pet food is not the best option for your pet’s nutritional health?

Why are you feeding your pet the same dry kibble, meal after meal, day after day, year after year, given the pet food industry’s track record and their questionable methods of making the food?

Do you honestly think you will ever get a truthful answer to your question of what is the best pet food when these manufactured concoctions make the top rankings?

Your dog deserves variety, your dog deserves fresh, whole ingredients whose name you can pronounce, your dog deserves less health problems, your dog deserves the very best nutrition you can provide. What dog food is the best? The one you lovingly prepare yourself.

Kent Simmons wants you to have a healthy and happy dog. He recommends only homemade dog food recipes.

For more great information on what dog food is best, visit http://recipes4dogfood.com .

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kent_Simmons
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What You’ll Find in Wellness Dog Food!

Wednesday, December 22nd, 2010

While some pet food manufacturers use every scrap of meat from animal renderings, Wellness dog food limits ingredients to only quality sources for what the animals need for good nutrition. A balanced combination of protein, grains for fiber and fruits for antioxidant protection are included in all varieties of Wellness dog food to help the pet remain healthy and active.

Many of the less expensive pet foods utilize all of the parts of meat and eat byproducts in their foods, allowing the inclusion of products that may include added hormones and potentially diseased animals. Wellness dog food does not use animals in their dog food with questionable health, which could possibly contain allergens, animal fats, soy, wheat and other products that may be hazardous to canines.

By using only quality protein sources, Wellness dog food promotes strong muscles and the grains included promote healthy fiber and provides energy for the pet. Antioxidant protection for the dog’s blood health is included with fruits and vegetables and the inclusion of omega 3 and 6 fatty acids provide for the animal’s skin and coat. Many dogs can develop joint problems but Wellness dog food contains Glucosamine and chrondroitin to help healthy joints and taurine help prevent heart problems in pets.

No Room For Bad Foods In Wellness

With all the nutritional products packed into Wellness dog food there is no room for fats and processed foods. It contains no meat byproducts or rendered animal fat, white rice, dairy, egg or soy products that can have ill effects on many dogs. Wellness dog food products respect and promote the overall health of all canines and only products proven to be beneficial to the well being of the pet is included in the food products.

Artificial flavorings and artificial colors have no place in a dog’s food, and are not included in any variety of Wellness dog food. Only fresh meats are included and the fruits and vegetables are not left over from other processes and dumped in the food just to save them from being thrown away. Anything that does not meet the high standards for quality to be included in the company’s dog food ends up in the trash or in another company’s products.

Most families view their dog as more than a faithful companion and many treat it like a loyal member of their family. Feeding it the best products they can is important to the animals health and well being as well as to the family’s peace of mind.

How to Avoid Feeding Your Poodle Tainted Dog Food

Wednesday, December 22nd, 2010

The primary ingredients in your pet’s food does not have to be bad for it to cause tainted dog food. All it takes is one ingredient to be less that acceptable for an entire production run of tainted dog food to be shipped to outlets worldwide. Since pet food manufacturers do not make each ingredient in their product, any one of the separate components can be tainted and will affect the entire product.

It is sometimes difficult to find the source of tainted dog food as evidenced by the recent outbreak of deaths and illnesses caused by tainted pet food. If any one of the ingredients, including the main source of meat, is tainted, it will have detrimental effect on the entire batch. For example, if something enters the food supply of one of the meats that may not be a problem for that animal, it cause tainted dog food if the additive is fatal to canines.

Apple seeds for instance, can cause cyanide poisoning in dogs, but is not harmful to chickens, If a chicken has eaten apple seeds and ends up in the dog food, the cyanide may still be present causing illness and possibly death to the dogs. In the most recent incidence of tainted dog food, wheat gluten was thought to have been tainted, causing the problems with tons of pet food. Many organic pet foods do not use wheat in any form in their products, due to the adverse reaction to the protein expected in many animals. However, some companies do use it as a protein source.

Protect Your Pet From Contamination

When a large, reputable supplier is a recipient of bad food ingredients it may be difficult to protect your pet from the effects of tainted dog food. However, checking the ingredients of all pet foods can help in the fight against that possibility. Making sure the ingredients supply the protein and grains needed for health of the pet can reduce the chance of your animal from being the victim of tainted dog food.

Many pet foods use preservatives along with artificial colors and flavorings to enhance the appearance and taste of their foods. Pet foods made with quality ingredients will not need these additives to convince your dog to eat the product and many should simply be avoided. While many less expensive brands of pet food are perfectly safe, made under the same strict guidelines to avoid the potential of tainted dog food, some of the lesser-known brands may contain products that are not healthy for the animal.

Why Solid Gold Dog Food Is a Good Choice for Your Poodle

Wednesday, December 22nd, 2010

While traveling through Germany with Great Danes, Sissy-Harrington McGill could not help but notice the longer life spans of the dogs in that country compared to those born and raised in the United States. The initial thought was the ingredients in the dog food they were being fed so when she returned to her native California, she began to experiment and in 1974 lunched Solid Gold dog food using her own natural ingredients formula.

For over 30 years the company has focused on pet foods containing no preservatives or saturated fat. Rice, barley and oats replace the wheat, soy and corn found in may other pet foods and USDA choice meats are the only ones used in the company’s pet food products. Solid Gold dog food also produces a line for natural shampoos and skin treatment for pets.

As pet care products continue to increase in importance for pet owners, the Solid Gold dog food line of skin treatment, ear care and shampoos continue to make in-roads in natural pet care. Having a product to help the health and appearance of a beloved pet is a rapidly growing priority for many pet owners and the flaxseed oil and shampoos containing jojoba skin treatment and coat conditioner keeps the dog healthier looking and happier.

Artificial Products Have No Place In Solid Gold

All Solid Gold dog food products are made with all natural ingredients, from the freshest cuts of meat to the high quality grains, to insure the animal is being treated like a member of the owner’s family. No artificial flavorings or preservatives to alter the taste or the way the products help the pet nutritionally.

Whether Solid Gold dog food will extend the life expectancy of any animal is open for debate, but quality nutritional food is one factor that contributes to the overall health of the animal. Insuring there is no ingredients that can cause health problems in any animal is a priority of Solid Gold dog food, which is why it uses only the best products in the pet food.

In additional to its full line of pet food and skin care products, for animals that may need a little extra nutritional help, Solid Gold dog food also produces supplements to help the animal have all of the vitamins and minerals it needs for a healthy life. Balancing the dog’s vitamin C and phosphorous intake with no dairy products can be accomplished with many supplements from Solid Gold dog food.

Considering the Science Diet Dog Food for Your Poodle?

Wednesday, December 22nd, 2010

For nearly 70 years Hill’s Pet Foods has been formulating pet food products to help animals stay healthy and to protect them against develop additional problems throughout their lifetime. Being committed to pet health has led to the creation of Science Diet dog food that has been found to keep pets not only well fed, but also healthier.

Developed by a veterinarian to help a man’s guide dog through kidney troubles, Science Diet dog food takes into the account the belief that a dog’s general health is guided by its nutrition. Putting a new spin on the belief that people are what they eat, the theory that eating a healthy diet will make for a healthy dog, has been proven over the years. By feeding the dog a nutritional diet with ingredients known ti stave off many illnesses, Science Diet dog food is helping dogs grow older with fewer health troubles.

Like most foods, too much of a good thing can be hazardous and it is no different with pet foods as too much of any type can cause pets to become overweight. Even with the balanced nutrition of Science Diet dog food to supply protein for strength and grains for energy, when a pet consumes too much and has too little activity, weight gain is inevitable.

Different Ages Have Different Needs

From the time a puppy is brought home the nutritional needs will change and with Science Diet dog food the changing requirements are blended into the different types of food for different aged dogs. Additionally, the size and weight of the dog will also determine its nutritional needs and the folks at Hill’s develop the food for the different types of animals they count as their customers.

Any pet owner can find out from the makers of Science Diet dog food the amount of Science Diet dog food, or any of their other varieties that is right for their companion. While many animals will eat until they feel full, that amount may be too much for the breed, the age and the size. A proper nutritional diet also includes the right quantity to prevent the possibility of it becoming overweight.

Since animals cannot communicate with humans in words, their actions speak volumes and when a pet turns their nose up to certain brands of food, consider it a request for something with more taste. However, Science Diet dog food can reduce the need for them to communicate any feelings of ill health.

Royal Canine Dog Food for Your Poodle

Wednesday, December 22nd, 2010

For people who love dogs, owning one is a great thing to do. There are so many dogs living in shelters and no where near the amount of people to adopt them. When a person gets their dog from a shelter they will find that the dog tends to be very appreciative. Many people say that getting their dog from a shelter made it the very best dog that they owned. These dogs are usually very loyal and will love their owners every time they walk through the door. Getting the dog from a shelter does not mean the dog deserves any less care or love. Just as a rescued dog shows extreme love and loyalty the pet owner needs to show love though excellent care. One way to ensure that the dog has a long and happy life is to feed them properly. Royal canine dog food is a premium brand of dog food that will help keep a persons dog healthy with a shiny coat and sparkling eyes full of life.

Royal canine dog food is sold under the brands of Sensible Choice and KASCO. Royal canine dog food is made for three sizes of dogs. The first is for mini dogs that will only weigh less than twenty pounds. The medium dog diet is made for dogs that when fully grown will be from twenty pounds and up to fifty five pounds. The third dog food is for dogs that will weigh up to one hundred pounds.

Philosophy Of Royal Canine Dog Food

Many people are unaware of how royal canine dog food is researched. They have a philosophy different from most of the rest of the manufacturers of pet food. They believe that the dog comes first and the owner second. In other words, they make the very best food to help the dog be healthy. They have a motto that says “Respect the Animal.” Royal canine dog food works on five basic principles. The first is “No consumer surveys, only animal studies.” The second principle is “To improve our knowledge permanently.” The third principle from royal canine dog food is “Offer products with precise nutritional scientifically proven answers”. The fourth principle is “Reject anthropomorphism.” This means the difference of nutrients verses ingredients. And the final principle that Royal canine dog food follows is “Only the prescribers and specialized distribution outlets can bring the technical information to the customers.”

The bottom line is simple; buying premium dog food from royal canine dog food is showing how much a dog means to their owner. This food isn’t meant to make the owner feel good but will make the dog feel great and have a longer healthier life.

Recalled Dog Food: Who’s Looking After Your Poodle

Wednesday, December 22nd, 2010

If a food was making people sick, you’d want to know about it so you can protect your family, and for most people, this desire to protect their family members extends to pets. Just as food for people can have problems, there can be problems that lead to recalled dog food. If you want to be able to better protect your pets, there are a number of steps to take in order to determine when dog food is recalled and what to do after the recall.

The FDA’s Role

Just as with food for humans, recalled dog food is handled by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The FDA is the first defense against food contamination, since they determine what is safe to add to foods for people and pets alike. But when something does happen, the FDA receives consumer complaints and issues recalls, as well as studies recalled dog food to determine exactly what about it makes the pets ill. Alerts are issued both through the FDA website at www.fda.gov and often through news outlets as well.

Even after the recall, FDA scientists work to determine what the exact problem with the recalled dog food is. Once it’s discovered, the FDA uses this information to better develop their processes for inspection of food and works with the pet food industry to help improve their process as well. In this way, the FDA works to lessen the amount of future issues that would necessitate recalled dog food.

If A Recall Occurs

In March, 2007, the FDA issued encouraged pet food manufacturers to recall pet food that was reportedly leading to kidney failure in cats and dogs. Currently, the FDA’s investigation of why that recalled dog food is causing problems is still open, but current news updates on their site give updates on the status of the investigation. More important, their site gives instructions of what to do in a dog food recall.

If your dog food is recalled, you should stop feeding it to your pets immediately. Stores generally give refunds for recalled dog food, so go to the store you purchased the food at and ask for a refund. The FDA also instructs people to look for health problems related to the recall. In the incident mentioned above, the signs to look for are loss of appetite, weakness, and vomiting. So, in order to keep up on any new outbreaks of recalled dog food, your best bet for information on signs that your pet is suffering, what to do with the recalled dog food, and information about investigations of that food, is the FDA.

Raw Dog Food: Should Do It With Your Poodle

Wednesday, December 22nd, 2010

Dog owners often discuss the benefits of feeding their pet raw dog food as opposed to cooked or processed food. In the wild, raw food is what dogs had access to and this is what nature intended for them. Some argue that raw food can make dogs ill even poisoning them in extreme cases and although this can be true, the benefits of raw dog food against manufactured pet food that is later recalled is paramount. Pet food can easily contain contaminants that cause harm to animals and organic diets are often the safer option.

Raw dog food diets are more expensive but advocates claim that it saves a fortune on vet’s bills as it is basically a detox from their normal diets but if the food is not prepared hygienically, the result could be tarred with salmonella or e.coli. The good may outweigh the bad, however, as raw food has more nutritional value and uses ingredients that are of a suitable quality for humans. When food is cooked, a lot of essential nutrients beneficial to a dog are lost making raw food the perfect solution for dogs. Many of the pet foods on the market are processed and contain small amounts of meat and no real nutritional value. Raw dog food can be a wise solution.

Health Benefits of Raw Dog Food

Raw dog food is enriched with important enzymes necessary for a dog’s healthy diet. Animals raised on raw foods are often free of degenerative diseases and have an overall level of good health above those raised on processed pet foods. Many pet owners claim that visits to their vet stopped after switching to a raw dog food diet. In a similar way, wild animals are often healthier and free of illnesses that inflict humans. Feeding our pets cooked foods is going against what nature intended and harming them in the long-term.

Commercial foods contain artificial ingredients that our animal’s bodies cannot handle leaving toxins to accumulate in their blood as their internal organs cannot cope with the control of such a huge number of harmful waste substances in the body. This can affect their immune systems and leaves them susceptible to illness. Animals need the amino acids, enzymes and nutrients present in raw meat and even their coats are negatively affected by a lack of raw animal fat in the diet. Raw dog foods are natural ingredients that do not cause any undue stress on the system and allow animals to live long and healthy lives.