Our dogs are our special friends, our companions. They rely on us to provide them with a loving home where they can feed safe, and they can get the best care we can afford. To do this, we need to feed them good food.
There are many opinions about dog food, what is good and what is bad. The media often provides us with huge amounts of advertising regarding just what is best for our pets. However, do they really have our dogs as a top priority or do they have their bottom line, as their priority? You decide after this brief review.
I believe we most often find ourselves at the supermarket, realize we need dog food, look for a name brand commercial food, check the price or see what is on sale, grab a bag and take it home. I have found that I have read the advertising on the label like 'nutritious', 'top quality', 'high protein', 'high energy', or any other leading slogan, and those slogans catch my eye. I feel that I am purchasing something good for my dog, and I don't take the time to read the ingredients because the slogans wouldn't lie. I feel I am an educated shopper because I have seen the ads in magazines or on TV. Most of the time, however, these supermarket specials are not the high quality dog food we are lead to believe they are and we should take the time to understand just what the ingredients really are.
In my research, I have discovered what some of the terms of ingredients actually mean. On the surface, they sound good; however, they are not as good as we think they are. Here are a few of the most common and important ingredients that we need to be aware of when purchasing good quality dog food.
Meat or Poultry: These sounds good, but ask yourself, "What kind of meat or poultry?" Meat and poultry are general terms without using any specifics, so you really don't know what is in the dog food. Is it beef, lamb, pork, chicken, turkey, geese, or duck or some other animal? Is this ingredient human grade or leftovers from some processing source? The meat source is unknown. Meal: Meat meal or poultry meal still does not specify the protein source. Meal means the water has been removed so you get a more condensed product, but the animal is not specified, and is the animal source palatable for our pets? If it says 'chicken meal', 'turkey meal', or some other specific animal meal, that is good quality. Rendered meat: These meats can be any meat from animals that are dead, diseased, dying or disabled. The animals may have some medicines or chemicals in them before they are processed. These should not be eaten by our pets. By-products: This term is misleading because you don 't know what the by-products are from. It could be hoofs, beaks, ears, etc. It is unknown. Not too edible! Grains: Grains are often fillers and they do not have good protein value for our dogs. Our pets need more meat, such as beef, chicken, turkey, salmon, etc. Grains like corn, wheat, corn gluten, or wheat gluten are not good for dogs because dogs can be allergic to these grains. Other grains such as oats or barley are okay. The grains, however, should not be listed within the top 4 or 5 ingredients. Animal fat: Again, from which animal? From fish and chips? Skimmed off of the top of a processing source? Dogs need fat, and chicken fat is good. Brewer's yeast: Brewers yeast is a good ingredient, but don't get it confused with brewer's rice. They are 2 different things, and brewer's rice is not very nutritious. Preservatives: What kind of preservatives? BHA or BHT are often linked to cancer. Vitamin C and vitamin E are good sources of preservatives.
You can do further research and make your own decisions. I was in a nationally known pet store recently, and they had several well known commercial pet foods that you would see at your supermarket, so don't be fooled. Read the ingredients.
Remember also, that a puppy food is often quite different from adult dog food, and puppies and dogs should not usually be fed the same food. They have different needs.
If you decide to change your dog's diet, do it over a period of 7-10 days so it doesn't upset his system. Slowly introduce his new food in small quantities, at first, with his current diet. Increase the new food every couple of days, and decrease his current food until you have made the switch completely.
Dry dog food is the most convenient way to feed your dog, and always have plenty of water available for him to drink. Using a combination of dry and canned food is a very acceptable decision, and you don't need to use the same brand for both. As long as you feel you are selecting good quality food and your dog likes the flavor, you have made a great decision! Changing occasionally to another high quality food for variety is also a good choice.
If you find a dog food that has human grade ingredients, you have found a quality product. Don't be afraid to check out the manufacture on their website. The price tag may be more, but you will have healthier dogs and fewer visits to the vet. Also, a dog eating a high quality dog food will not have a desire to eat as much, so you will save there. Your dog will have more energy, be healthier, and have a more beautiful, shiny coat.
Happy shopping! Your dog will appreciate feeling better and looking better. You will know you are providing excellent care for your special dog.
Disclaimer: I am not a veterinarian nor do I have any formal training in any medical field. This article is not to replace the advice of your veterinarian. I am only providing options and ideas that you may want to discuss with your veterinarian
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