Dog Food

Benefits of a Good Dog Food

Wednesday, February 1st, 2012

Did you know that there are benefits to feeding your dog a good type of food? Sounds like common sense, right? What many people do not realize is that different types of dog foods are good for different dogs. If you have a puppy you do not want to feed it a food that is formulated for an older dog. On the other hand, if you have an older dog you do not want to feed it a type of food that is formulated for a puppy. Knowing where your dog is in life and feeding it accordingly can help you provide it with a long and happy existence. Do some research and know what is best for your pet in order to make it healthy.

Giving your dog the right kind of food will help it live longer, plain and simple. A dog is no different than a human in the fact that it needs to have a proper diet where it can get all the vitamins and nutrients that it needs. A dog that is provided with a well balanced diet will be strong and healthy. For young puppies that are growing up it is a good idea to give them the type of food that will help support growth and muscle gain. For an older dog you may want to focus on foods that support immune system function. Knowing what stage of life the dog is in will help you determine what type of food to feed it.

Ask your vet for suggestions regarding which type of food is most beneficial. Your vet will be able to give you a suggestion on certain types of dog food. In addition, they will know what the benefits of each are. Asking a few simple questions on your next visit will allow you to be armed with the knowledge required to keep your pet healthy. In some cases a vet may have food available for purchase at their office. Buying this food is recommended by many vets because they know and trust the brand. Furthermore, they are aware of the type of dog that you have and know that they will benefit from eating a good, healthy food that is formulated for them.

Try to look for suggestions online. Look around for information regarding your type of dog. You will surely be able to find information on the different types of dog foods that are best for your breed. Since each breed is different finding the best food for your specific type will allow the pet to be at its healthiest for years to come.

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A Consumer’s Guide to Good Dog Food

Sunday, January 29th, 2012

Providing the right kind of food to your pet can result in a healthy and illness-free dog. This is the reason why pet owners should be aware of what they need to be looking for in dog food so as to provide only the best for their beloved pets.

Begin with finding the best ingredients. Anything with meat may be good enough. But, what is even better is if you can find dog food that does not have fillers in them. Fillers are considered substances that add volume to your dog’s food but do not actually have any nutritional value. This also means that you are paying for food that your pet doesn’t really need. Some of them, grains, for example, can even be detrimental to your pet. The danger lies in the fact that grains are common causes of sensitivities among dogs.

Also, look into the vitamin and mineral component of the product. Generally, your dog will need high protein contents. This is especially important for puppies and adult dogs. Older dogs can have adequate amounts of proteins but don’t necessarily need extensive amounts of them as their activities are generally more restricted as compared to when they were younger.

Some products have vegetables in their ingredients. These are good sources of vitamins and minerals as well.

Choosing dog food with the right animal fat. Yes, fatty acids are healthy for your dogs. There are different sources of fatty acids that will be best for your dog. Flax seeds are common sources and they are rich sources of fiber. They also contain no or very low amounts of sugars. Furthermore, these are good calcium sources.

A more specific type of fatty acid is Omega 3 fatty acid. This is considered good for your dog’s health as it helps lower bad cholesterol levels in the blood. It also reduces the occurrence of heart disease and even arthritis.

Fats keep your dogs warm during the cold months. So, do make sure that you don’t restrict their intake of fats too much. But, do stick to the ones that are considered healthy.

Go commercial or home-made. Either way, there are advantages and disadvantages. When buying commercial food products, you get to take advantage of its convenience. You just open the pack and you can serve food to your pet already. However, careful attention should be given to these products. Pet owners should read the label and determine what components are present in each pack of food. You can only ensure that you have provided the right nourishment to your pet if you have known what vitamins and minerals were included in the pack.

Another way that you can make sure that what you give to your dog is healthy is by serving it with homemade dog food. This, however, can require much effort from you. This also requires that you have knowledge on what you can feed your dog and what food items should be avoided. The process of preparing the food can also be time-consuming.

Jerri Torres enjoys writing for Petflow which sells bil-jac and evo brand dog food as well as a host of additional products.

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The Best Way to Find Good Dog Food Comparisons

Tuesday, January 24th, 2012

If you’ve been trying to find some decent dog food comparisons, chances are you’ve gotten pretty frustrated on your search. After all, there are so many brands available on the market now that it would be difficult to do a fair comparison of all them. On top of that, many of the larger brands offer more than one style or type of dog food, which obviously further complicates the issue. So what can you do if you just want a fair and easy comparison?

To be honest, the simplest way is to make your own comparison. How do you do this? The easiest way is to ask some of your friends and coworkers what brands they recommend, and purchase the types of brands that they recommend. Sample one type exclusively for 3 to 7 days, and see if you notice any changes in behavior or mood. If your dog is getting all the proper nutrients they are going to be happier and more active, so it’s a very good sign if you noticed them getting more active when you switch between brands.

Make a very simple chart that shows the types of dog food, if your dog is used to it and reacted well while on the food, note your dog’s energy level on the chart. This way, you’ll have an actual indication of what is the best food for your dog. Of course, home made food is always going to be better for those who buy your dry dog food commercially, so feel free to add your own food to the test to make sure that is a healthy choice for your dog.

For 100+ free recipes just go to http://www.puppiestrainingmadeeasy.com/freestuff.html. You can also get a free report there of foods that are toxic for dogs, so you can be sure that your dog food comparisons are all safe.

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Pointers to Know Whether It Is a Good Dog Food

Monday, January 23rd, 2012

If you want to keep your dog healthy at all times then you’d’ better provide him good food. By giving your dog the right kind of dog food, you can be assured that he will be free from any ailments. In this article you will get to learn some pointers that would help you check whether you are really feeding your dog the right kind of dog food.

It is very important that you provide your dogs some good canine food. However the choices of these foods can be quite overwhelming. So to help you out I gathered some helpful pointers that would help you see whether you are feeding then the right kind of dog food or not.

Here are the pointers:

- It should have all the nutrients like protein, fiber, vitamins and minerals that would help them stay strong and active.

- It should not have a lot of grain fillers because these kinds of fillers have only bulk carbohydrates but very low in nutrients.

- It should be canned with moisture or if packed in plastic, it should be airtight to retain freshness.

These are just some of the most important things you need to consider when feeding your dogs. You can also talk to your vet if you are not sure which kind of dog food to give your dogs so as to avoid or prevent any health problems in the future.

Keep these pointers and you will surely help keep your dog healthy and free from any diseases that may cause them a lot of distress and troubles.

Click here [http://www.dogfoodtruth.org] and discover the dreadful ingredients that the dog food industry doesn’t want you to know about.

Matt Dilson

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3 Rules for Finding Good Dog Food

Sunday, January 22nd, 2012

How often do you think about what your feed your dog? Do you know what’s in it? Do you even know what is a healthy diet for a dog? Many dog owners think that the dog food that they are giving their dogs is healthy, but in fact, it’s not. Many people assume that if it’s healthy for a human then it must be healthy for a dog. While this is true to some degree, it’s not the case for the types of food dogs should eat. The following are three easy rules to remember when choosing dog food.

1. Many dog foods are filled with food unfit for anything to eat.

Pet foods originally began as a way for food processors to salvage food that was deemed unfit for human consumption. This would include animals that were sick, diseased, or dead on arrival. This also included spoiled or diseased grain and corn. When searching for a good dog food for your dog, be sure to see if it is USDA certified.

2. Remember that dogs are carnivores.

Many pet food brands advertise themselves as being healthy alternatives because they are filled with whole grains, corn, and rice. While that may be healthy for humans (there’s debate on this, but that’s a different article), it is not for dogs. Dogs’ digestive systems are short, straight, and are not able to efficiently digest grains. Dogs in the wild are primarily carnivores that eat fresh meat and shun most plant matter including vegetables.

3. Stay away from preservatives.

In particular watch out for artificial preservatives such as BHA, BHT, and Ethoxyquin. These chemicals are hard for anything alive to process and be the cause of many pet allergies.

Many dog food brands advertise themselves as healthy for dogs when in fact they’re not. It’s often best to look for brands that are made primarily of meat, do not contain artificial preservatives, and are USDA inspected.

Will Shepherd helps people find good German Shepherd breeders and writes about what dog food is healthy.

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What a Good Recipe for Dog Food Consists Of

Monday, January 2nd, 2012

What A Good Recipe for Dog Food Consists Of

A good recipe for dog food is one that includes meat, healthy grains and vegetables. Chicken and beef are good meat selections. Barley and rice are healthy grains. All vegetables, other than onions and fresh garlic, are suitable.

The goal is to meet the dog’s nutritional and caloric requirements. Nutrients keep our dogs healthy and calories give them the energy they need to be active.

A dog’s caloric needs vary with their age, weight and their level of physical activity. For example, a full-grown working 32 pound Border collie needs approximately 1450 calories per day. If the collie eats twice a day, then each meal should provide 725 calories.

More calories are needed during the colder months of the year. Dogs that are kept in a kennel outdoors need more calories than those that are kept inside.

Studies and surveys have shown that most dogs and cats in the U.S. are overweight or obese. The animals are typically fed commercial brands of foods, which are grain-based. The high carbohydrate load increases the animal’s risk of type II diabetes, just as a high carb diet would increase a person’s risk of the disease.

Overweight and obese animals have an increased risk of other diseases, as well. So, when you are comparing recipes for homemade dog food, be sure to consider the calorie count.

If the calories are too low, your dogs will not have the energy they need to be active. If the calories are too high, your dogs have an increased risk of becoming overweight, which is bad for their health.

Nutrients essential for your dog’s health include amino acids, which are found in protein rich foods. The Border collie in the example above needs 25 grams of protein per day, according to the US National Academy of Sciences. Recipes for homemade dog food that include 4 ounces of ground beef or 3 ounces of chicken breast would meet the dog’s protein requirements.

The Academy recommends 14 grams of fat per day for the adult dog weighing 32 pounds. Fish oil is a good source of fat because it is rich in heart healthy omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids. Olive or flax seed oils are also good choices. Remember to count the amount of fat in the meat or protein before adding extra fat.

Vegetables provide antioxidants and other essential nutrients. Many dogs like mashed carrots. A mixture of ground beef, mashed carrots, cooked barley and a few grams of fish oil is a simple recipe for dog food that your four-legged friends are sure to enjoy.

Help keep your dog happy and healthy by feeding your pet recipes for homemade dog food and there are a lot of guides to help you find a healthy recipe for dog food.

info@25foodrecipesfordogs.com

Charlene Appeal is a dog food recipes expert. For more great tips on a healthy recipe for dog food and recipes for homemade dog food, visit http://www.25foodrecipesfordogs.com

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What You’ll Find in Wellness Dog Food!

Tuesday, March 1st, 2011

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.

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How to Avoid Feeding Your Dachshund Tainted Dog Food

Tuesday, March 1st, 2011

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.

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

Tuesday, March 1st, 2011

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.

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Considering the Science Diet Dog Food for Your Dachshund?

Tuesday, March 1st, 2011

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.

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