Best Food For Dogs

Category: Great Dog Food

  • Dog Allergies and Your Dog’s Food : Why It is Important to Remove Corn

    If you are experiencing dog allergies, and your dog’s skin is itchy, red, and sore, you can easily find a solution by feeding food that does not offer one main ingredient : Corn.  Dog allergies can result in a large amount of symptoms, but the main problem that you will experience is a lack of a resolution to these symptoms.  The problem is that often dog allergies are related to nutritional levels, and a lack of good nutrition.

    The Dog Food Industry and Dog Allergies

    The dog food industry began in the 1940s with Purina’s invention of Dog Chow.  The company began to create all kinds of animal and husbandry food for farmers, and when farmers started buying the food, it was great food for dogs.  The food was often dried protein based food, that was the scrap or end points of the meat industry.  The best part of this kind of food was that corn was not the main part of the food, but just a stabilizer.  Today, we have many people researching how to treat dog allergies, but the reason is the problem is growing is there is more and more dog food that has moved from nutrition.  The dog food that a majority of dogs are fed, has a key ingredient that supports a long shelf life, and is inexpensive.  This ingredient is corn, and it is not the same corn as a hundred years ago.  The kernel is mostly starch now, and is a white fluffy sugar that can be easily dried and mixed with a small amount of protein for consumption.

    The corn addition has added great profit for the dog food industry.  Dog food mixed with only a small fraction of protein, needs a stabilizer, and corn is the most inexpensive option.  Most grocery and big box super food stores offer only dog food that is shelf life resistant for 2 or 3 years.  It is important that they purchase large palates of the food, and then that they stay on the shelf until purchase, and stay fresh.  The problem with this idea, is that the vitamins and minerals that may have existed at the time of manufacture actually are now inert.  The vitamins and minerals do not last for the time frame that corn lasts, and the protein in this shelf stable product, is actually oxidized easily over a few months, which is a perfect storm to create dog allergies.

    Dog Allergies can Be Solved with Nutrition

    Buy a dog food that has a short shelf life, and one that has no corn, and your dog will find that dog allergies are a thing of the past.  The nutrition solution can be the real solution, but it takes time to see the results.  Over a dog’s life, eating bad and shelf stable dog food, can offer some solutions for stores to see a profit, but it creates a really toxic situation in your dog’s cells and tissues.  When you offer new nutrition, and remove the corn based food, you are going to see a change in your dog, and sometimes the dog allergies will actually get worse.  This is really common, and do not stop your new dog food regime.

    Dog Allergies can Get Worse With Good Nutrition

    The reason your dog may see better nutrition cause more dog allergies, is the fact that your dog’s body will now release all the toxic elements that it was storing over the years.  Often when a new nutrition is offered, new vitamins and minerals will be so welcome to your dog’s system, that it releases all the stored meager value it was storing for a rainy day, and this release, will send out toxic stored chemicals as well.  It is not unusual for a few months of dog allergies to erupt during a new nutrition program.

  • Veggies and Meat for Your Dog

    Why are veggies and meat for your dog important?  Its the nutrition that both offer your best friend!The most amazing thing you can do for your dog is to feed him the right kind of food, and that does include meat and protein, but more than that, it includes some fiber and some minerals as well.  The best way to accomplish this, is to feed a mixture of protein and vegetables that will provide the best nutrition that you can ever hope to provide.  Natural food that is full of fiber, protein, and natural vitamins and minerals are the best offers for your dog.  Veggies can be a great snack for your dog, but offering low fat and raw meat for your dog is another way to ensure good health.

    Buy the Best Dog Food

    Your money may be tight, and you might be purchasing some very economical dog food at the local supermarket or the box store, and see that your dog enjoys it very much.  The truth is, most of the very inexpensive dog food is really just that, inexpensive.  It is usually loaded with less than adequate nutrition, and can be very difficult to allow your dog the right amount of minerals and essential vitamins for health and vitality.  Without the right ingredients, you are only filling your dog with fluff, and the most difficult of health issues will  not evolve or disappear on this kind of diet.  It is a recipe for disaster, and can only bring your dog more of a risk for health issues to evolve into real tragic consequences.

    The most kind and supportive thing you can do for your dog, and all of your pets at home, is feed them the most natural and healthful food that you can afford.  It was not so long ago, that all of our dogs, cats, birds and other pets ate what we ate.  We prepared a home cooked meal, and the dog was anxious at the end of the meal, for their share of the food.  The scraps of the meal were given to the dog, and often if a hunted animal was prepared, we gave the dog a raw bone, or some of the less than scrumptious parts of the kill.  The reality of this situation is that this was actually closer to best nutrition for our dogs, as the dog would have eaten this way in the wild, and the raw meat, and scraps of vegetables are exactly what a dog needs for good health.

    Now, with the advent of pet food companies, the regulations are often fairly relaxed on what a pet food company can include in a pet food, and they often fill it with many less than best choices like corn, potatoes, rice or even some by-products like chicken feet, beaks, or even feathers.  If you are buying a meat “meal” you are feeding your pet these ingredients.  It is not healthy, and lately, they have realized that even some forms of the chicken are exposed to arsenic, which is in the cheaper chicken feed.  The chain is not built on health, but on cost control, and this will only cost you dearly in the future.

    Cost of Food will Result in Health and Vet Care Costs

    The reality of the inexpensive food choice, is that you in fact, will be spending more money than you would like to spend, in the area of veterinarian care in the near future.  When you feed a corn based pet food, or a food that is “cheaper” you are risking some of your wallet in the future to be spent at the vet.  The terrible outcome of allergies, joint problems, digestive and nervous system issues, and scarier health concerns like cancer and terminal disease are possibilities.  It is impossible to link all of the health issues that you may result with by your choice of food, but there are many times where the change of food can result in a better outcome.  For this reason, the connection between poor nutrition, and increased vet care costs seems to be valid.  The choice is yours as a pet parent, and if you are willing to spend a bit more on the front end of your pet’s food, you will most likely see a great result with any health issue you are experiencing.

    Think of it this way, if you run your body to the ground, and you keep going and expecting your body to produce, but do not offer valid minerals, proteins or vitamins for healing and health, your body will pull from the tissues and cells to find vitamins and minerals to keep you working.  If you are not adding minerals and vitamins to the overall needs of your busy body, you will feel sick, tired and will not be able to see good results from your health.  Your overall life will suffer as a result of the lack of support from your nutrition.  The same thing follows for your dog, and many dogs today are suffering from allergies and do not see good results in health.

    For this reason, the most important thing you can do as a good pet parent, is buy nutrition that is real.  The food that you should look for is something you can recognize, and a food that you would be sure was actual meat, vegetables and provides the necessary vitamins and minerals.  The ingredients should be easily understood, and if there are words that you are  not sure about, do not buy that food.  Organic is a great way to go, as the standards are higher for this kind of process.  Take the field to your table for yourself and your pet, and you will save money in the long run.

  • Dog Food Nutrition

    Dog food nutrition starts with ingredients that do not host any preservatives or chemicals.  The reason that chemicals, additives, and preservatives are added, is to preserve the dog food on the shelf, and keep it ready for you to buy, when you need it.  The problem with this remedy, is that the preservatives will be a major health issue in your dog’s life.

    Toxins and Your Dog’s Liver

    If you are looking to keep your dog’s life healthy and happy, be sure to understand the process that a chemical food will take on your dog’s body.  Your dog is a small and very susceptible organism to toxic and heavy chemicals.  The fact that dog cancer and other digestive illness has risen over the years, is due in part to the chemicals in dog food.  The unhealthy path you will follow, leads right back to a chemical filled dog food.

    The hardest part, is that the market place is often very easily deceptive, and can use the word natural or healthy whenever and wherever they choose.  Be sure to keep your eyes open, and read the ingredient list on your dog food bag with awareness.  No chemicals, no ingredients, you can not understand.  If you have a question, there should be a phone number on the bag, and you can call to see if the food is really a good choice.   If the reasons and description are enough for you, you may have found a good food to choose.  If you can not get a good feeling from the call, you should move on.

    The fact that chemicals and preservatives cause poor nutrition, are not limited to the fact that often chemically laden dog food has few nutrients to offer as well.  If a food sits on a shelf for long, all anti-oxidants are lost in the time they sit waiting to be consumed.  Nutrients added, are often slim to none in this case.  The reality of the situation is that the dog food nutrition needed is not really offered, and your dog could have a poor health outcome.

  • Best Puppy Food Brand

    Puppy food is a keystone for great nutrition, and a healthy life ahead!  If you want to avoid many problems in the long run, be sure to look for the best puppy food brand you can resource.  Here is how to do this!

    Best Puppy Food Brand Ingredients

    • 100% Organic Protein
    • Green beans
    • Sweet Potatoes
    • Acai berries, blueberries, or organic berries
    • 100% organic EFAs or essential fatty acids
    • Squash, zucchini,carrots or celery
    • Garlic, vitamin C and a good mix of nutrients, with careful explanation

    This list is very generic, and many processors and manufacturers look for quality ingredients that they can find an include in their food, that offer value, and are available.  Of course, you need to read the labels and ensure that they all are complete and accurate, in terms of there should not be many unknown chemicals, or nutrients that you do not know what they are.

    The value of being able to find the best puppy food brand, as well, is that it is fresh, does not have a long shelf life, and is offered with a story on the bag.  Many people who are dedicated producers, are people who have lost pets to the poor nutrition dog foods in their past, and will have a reason why they are so passionate about their journey.

  • Prescription Dog Food

    Does your vet prescribe a dog food for your dog?  It is good advice to always follow your vet’s advice, but be sure to continue to find the right information as well.  Often, my vet would prescribe a dog food for our dog, and it would not be accepted by my dog, or it just didn’t seem to work for her digestive system.  If you are looking to have a good conversation with your vet about your dog’s food, be sure to arrive with some questions and information.

    Prescribed Dog Food Choices

    Sometimes, the dog food that is used for prescription, is very quietly full of corn, soybean, or rice.  Even white potatoes have been a main ingredient in this list.  The confusing part to this ingredient list is the fact that it is often hard to digest.  I have had good results with less carbohydrates in a time of stress, illness or injury, than the prescribed dog food choices offered.

    In most cases, a very lean protein, like venison or 100% organic chicken, will be better for your dog.  Even a green vegetable, like green beans, and some dried sweet potato, can be much better for the pancreas, the liver, the bladder and kidneys.  The dog in stress, should not be given any sugar or starch, as the glucose created can be hard to digest or manage.

    Be kind to your dog, and question your vet, so that you can bring the best results to your dog.  Clearly, in times of disease or illness, they may find the higher starches laden prescription foods, will be accepted by your dog more readily, so a mix could be considered, but working towards a holistic solution, will in the end assist your dog to actually solve the related problem, and be the great solution that you require.

    A genuine discussion with your vet, should be a way to actually try to find a solution, provide health and happiness, versus covering up the symptoms and problems that are occurring.  The keys to health all reside with appropriate levels of nutrition, interactivity with drugs and medicine, and great prescription dog food information.

  • Why Organic Food is So Important

    If you are feeding a puppy for the first time, are searching for great dog food,  search no further than a organic or holistic dog food choice.  The fact that they take the time to certify the ingredients of the product will, create a better result for nutrition.

    Great Dog Food is Often Organic Dog Food

    The reason that organic dog food holds good nutrition, is that the ingredients are certified to be labeled organic, and this creates more of a valid reason for the food to be controlled and safe.  In the pet food world, the dog and cat food industry is largely unregulated, but, if it is labeled organic, there are a series of rules that a company must follow to use this label.

    The rules are very strict, and are properly regulated by the USDA, and the FDA.  The uniform standards for labeling and processing of organic foods, have a series of rules that they must follow to use the label.

    • No genetic altering or radiation
    • No fertilizer
    • No Synthetic Fertilizer
    • No Pesticides in producing the product, or in the process of organic produce

     

    As well, some products can be labeled in the following manner:

    • 100% Organic is all organic in ingredients
    • Organic on the label is at least 95% organic
    • Made with Organic Ingredients must be at least 70% organic
    • Anything less than 70% organic can not have organic on the package, but may use the organic ingredients in the label ingredient list

    This means you must use the term organic as a true indicator of properly controlled items, and it will be important to rely on the label for good nutrition information.  If you use the list as shown above, you should be able to come up with some good options for your dog food choices, and bring great results to your dog’s food choices.