How To Choose The Healthiest Food For Your Dog
Many people believe that commercial dog food is the healthiest food for their dog simply because the packaging says so. However, when looking for the healthiest dog food, you can't just pick a bag at random and assume that it contains all the nutrients your dog needs.
Studies show that the best ratio for a healthy diet for dogs is about 50% meat, and 50% vegetables. A dog does not require grain or wheat or any other type of cheap filler. Producers of retail dog food add grains so that they don't have to add as much meat, and to make your dog feel full faster.
When buying food for your pet, you need to take a closer look at the list of ingredients and keep the facts listed below in this in mind.
1. The dog food in question must contain no artificial colours, flavours or preservatives. While preservatives are necessary in order for the food to remain edible, chemical preservatives such as BHA, BHT and Ethixyquin can be harmful for your dogs. Foods that use natural preservatives such as vitamin E and C are a far better choice.
2. There should be no animal by-products in the food. By this, I mean animal parts that have been labelled as unfit for human consumption. These include: the heads, bones and intestines of the various animals, pig hooves and chicken beaks and feet.
3. Dogs are naturally carnivores, and they get the majority of the proteins that they need from meat sources. Therefore, it is important to give them food which has meat as its primary ingredient. Look for food that has meat as at least three of the first five ingredients. While dogs can survive on a purely vegetarian diet, they will not thrive on it.
4. Don't make the mistake of thinking that all foods enjoyed by humans are safe for canine consumption. "If you wouldn't eat it, your pet probably shouldn't either" works as a general rule, but there are certain everyday treats that we enjoy that are not good for dogs and can be toxic. These foods include chocolate, grapes, raisins, white flour and onions.
If you really want to feed your dog the healthiest dog food, consider making it yourself. There are many recipes available, showing you how to make tasty nutritious treats for your canine friend. These recipes have been formulated with canine nutritional needs in mind, so if you choose to go this route, it is important to follow the steps and ingredients set out in the recipe and not try to be creative and add your own ingredients. Adding your own ingredients may throw the nutritional balance off-kilter.
Studies show that the best ratio for a healthy diet for dogs is about 50% meat, and 50% vegetables. A dog does not require grain or wheat or any other type of cheap filler. Producers of retail dog food add grains so that they don't have to add as much meat, and to make your dog feel full faster.
When buying food for your pet, you need to take a closer look at the list of ingredients and keep the facts listed below in this in mind.
1. The dog food in question must contain no artificial colours, flavours or preservatives. While preservatives are necessary in order for the food to remain edible, chemical preservatives such as BHA, BHT and Ethixyquin can be harmful for your dogs. Foods that use natural preservatives such as vitamin E and C are a far better choice.
2. There should be no animal by-products in the food. By this, I mean animal parts that have been labelled as unfit for human consumption. These include: the heads, bones and intestines of the various animals, pig hooves and chicken beaks and feet.
3. Dogs are naturally carnivores, and they get the majority of the proteins that they need from meat sources. Therefore, it is important to give them food which has meat as its primary ingredient. Look for food that has meat as at least three of the first five ingredients. While dogs can survive on a purely vegetarian diet, they will not thrive on it.
4. Don't make the mistake of thinking that all foods enjoyed by humans are safe for canine consumption. "If you wouldn't eat it, your pet probably shouldn't either" works as a general rule, but there are certain everyday treats that we enjoy that are not good for dogs and can be toxic. These foods include chocolate, grapes, raisins, white flour and onions.
If you really want to feed your dog the healthiest dog food, consider making it yourself. There are many recipes available, showing you how to make tasty nutritious treats for your canine friend. These recipes have been formulated with canine nutritional needs in mind, so if you choose to go this route, it is important to follow the steps and ingredients set out in the recipe and not try to be creative and add your own ingredients. Adding your own ingredients may throw the nutritional balance off-kilter.
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