Dog Nutrition and Proper Dog Feeding
Proper dog nutrition leads to healthier dogs with less chance of injury. Providing the right diet for your dog is more than throwing down a bowl of dried dog food once a day. As a dog owner you should carefully select the best dog food and organic treats for your dog. Knowing what to feed and what not to feed your dog is also important. Click here for a list of bad foods dogs should never eat.
Currently you can find all sorts of dog food brands with different styles to lure you in. Regular, premium,
organic
and raw dog food
are just a few types out there. So what dog food works best? That is a tough question to answer. Dogs taste can very from dog to dog. You may have two dogs at home that could easily like different dog foods. To find the right dog food for your dog will take some professional advice from a veterinarian and trial and error on your part. You can start by looking at a few all natural online dog food sites to get a better feel for price and ingredients. Sites such as onlynaturalpet.com
has been leading the way for all natural pet products and strongly promotes healthy animals.
We are strong believers in organic and all natural products. Both have some amazing advantages not only for people but for your dog as well. Some people believe the only way to go for a healthy dog is raw dog food or home cooked dog food diet. It is hard enough to feed your family a healthy meal but to cook the dog's food as well can be very time consuming. The alternative is store bought dog food brands. The problem is if you are still using mass produced name brand dog foods with basic ingredients, mixed with chemicals and sprayed with pesticides, then you are missing the point of providing healthy food for your dog
Why Buy Organic Dog Food
Already organic products for humans have shown improvement over the quality, taste and health benefits. Have you ever cooked organic chicken versus non organic chicken. You can see a huge difference not only in taste but cooking times, texture, juices and even the smell is different. If you decide to buy organic products for your dog you will find many benefits as we did.
1 - Energy and proper eating control. Dogs with weight problems can be traced to either owners feeding there dogs to much or the wrong food. Weight issues can also be the result of the ingredients the dog is eating. Big name brand dog companies design the food to taste great for your dog. They can have fillers, sugars and products your dog does not need but their presence makes the dog food more appealing. Long term effects include weight issues, diabetes, organ failure, back ailment or hip dysplasia. Since organic dog food does not contain these bulk fillers your dog may eat less, stay satisfied longer and digest the food easier. This provides stable energy through out the day and controlled eating habits.
2 - Dog allergies and skin problems may be the result of the dog food they are eating. Organic dog foods do not contain the food additives, pesticides, flavor enhancer's and other non essential ingredients. The pure proteins have the least likely chance of a reaction with the dog's body and chemical makeup.
3 - Stronger immunity and health are also benefits of organic dog food. Nutritional value is the main reason why veterinarians will recommend premium dog food brands over regular brands. With organic dog food you have pure ingredients that are easy for the dog to absorb. The nutritional content can be greater than that found in premium dog brands. With more nutrients and easier to absorb ingredients, your dog will have the vitamins and minerals they need. Better food absorption and no fillers going to waste means your dog may relieve themselves less often, which means less poop scooping for you. Keep in mind that not all organic dog food brands are good options. Some low cost organic brands tend to have less protien as organic meats are far more expensive.
4 - There is often improved digestion found in dogs on organic diets. With non-organic products your dog is ingesting food not necessary for them. Corn, sugars and chemical additives can lead to less food absorption in the dogs body causing them to relieve themselves more. If you find your dog vomiting after meals, having excessive gas or messy stools consult your veterinarian. Also try switching to organic dog food. You may find your dog's diet is the main cause to their digestion problems.
5 - Having a long happy life with your dog is what we all want. A healthy coat, plenty of energy to exercise and a low risk of health problems are just a few of the benefits to switching from non-organic to organic. Again it all comes down to the ingredients put into the dog food. Next time you are online shopping for dog food, compare the ingredients you find in online organic dog food versus the food your dog is currently eating. Click here to view a complete list of ingredients you should avoid. |
Organic Dog Food Information
The organic dog food market is really starting to take off. Not all organic products are high end so make sure to watch out for low protein content and take precautions. As of now no dog food is 100% organic. Dog food is required to have added nutrients. These man made nutrients are not organic in nature, therefore making it impossible under the current regulations for 100% organic dog food products.
Organic dog food will be labeled as either organic or made with organic materials. If a label states "USDA Organic" then at least 95% of the dog food components are organic. If it states "Made With Organic Ingredients" then it is required to contain at least 70% organic ingredients. Always look for the USDA Organic Seal when shopping for organic products. If there is no seal they are probably advertising false claims.
Affects of a Poor Dog Food Diet
What ever type of dog food you decide to go with make sure you are providing enough nutrients for your dog. Breed, size and age are contributing factors to how you should select the right dog food. Poor dog diet can lead to many health problems such as dull coat and shedding problems, major organ failures, cancers, diabetes, hypertension, weak bones, digestive tract problems, messy stools, vomiting, eye problems and lazy depressive behaviors. The list could easily go on. The good thing is these are all easily fixable. Follow your veterinarians advice or switch into an organic dog food brand. See the major change in your dog.
The Affects of Commercial Non-organic Dog Foods
Be very careful when purchasing inexpensive convenient dog food. The price may look right now but you could pay for it later with countless dog health problems and trips to your vet. In some cases the content of these dog food brands are terrible, offering little nutritional value. They make large marketing claims how grains are important when they are not. They are often full of harsh chemicals, additives, preservatives, colors, dyes, toxins, and other useless ingredients. Animal by-products are often the sick or dying unwanted left over's from other food industries.
Very few of these companies are looking out for the well being of our dogs. Profit shares and their bottom line are the real goal for shoveling this garbage out to our pets. The sad part is not everyone will understand they could be potentially accelorating their dog's life. Who would believe these companies would be selling inadequate dog food? Most people believe they are doing the right thing and if they had done a little research they would change in a heart beat.
A great resource of dog food information and dog food safety can be found at The Dog Food Project.
How to Feed Your Puppy
Puppies require different food with certain nutrient contents for the first year. Many dog food companies, organic and non-organic offer puppy varieties in their line-ups. It is important to properly feed your puppy so that they can absorb the proper nutrition. When you first bring your puppy home you should continue feeding them the same food the breeder was using. Over the next week you can slowly introduce the puppy food you plan to feed them. Use the current puppy food in large amounts and gradually mix in the new puppy food. This will reduce digestive problems for your puppy.
Dry puppy food
is often a better choice for young dogs. It contains less water and salt preservatives found in wet dog food and can help eliminate dental problems such as plaque build up. When selecting the right puppy food, check the back for the ingredients. Cheaper dog food tends to have less high grade proteins and are often packed with fillers. Your puppy will absorb less of the cheap stuff and generate less energy. You also may have a constant puppy "pooper" on your hands with frequent trips to the "puppy bathroom". Higher grade or premium grades
of puppy food will contain better ingredients that are easier to absorb. Always check with a veterinarian to figure out the best puppy food to meet your breeds nutrition needs. Always supply your dog with plenty of fresh clean water, especially if you use dry dog food. The water will help in absorption and maintain a healthy dog.
Try to avoid feeding your puppy people food. People food often lacks in nutrients the puppy needs and can cause side effects like diarrhea.
Follow the recommended food amounts at first and monitor your puppy's eating habits. Do not force your puppy to eat more food to increase their size. They will grow at their own pace based on their genetic makeup. If your puppy's eating habits show signs of under eating than consult with your veterinarian. It is also recommended to follow a food schedule. Have your puppy eat after one of your meals or at a specific time everyday.
When using dog treats for training you should monitor how many you are using on your puppy. Your puppy should only consume about 10% of their daily caloric intake from treats. If you feel you are using too many treats for training then substitute treats with pieces of their dry puppy food.
A great source to view different dog foods and their ingredients can be found at the Dog Food Analysis website.
