We’ve all heard the phrase “you are what you eat”. This, of course, is applicable to all living beings, and it is extremely important when it comes to nutrition for dogs and especially to ensure that they live a long and healthy life. When choosing their food be mindful that, unfortunately, a lot of dog foods contain compounds that cannot be metabolized by your dog, and can lead to health issues and, in some cases, cancers. Some food can also cause behavioral issues. Therefore, it is best to buy dog food that DOES NOT contain wheat, soy, corn, pesticides, chemicals, toxins, or GMO’s. Whenever possible buy the highest quality food with organic ingredients that have been sourced in the USA, Canada, Europe or Australia.
Kibble is an easy, simple and healthy product. Some people prefer to use raw food, which can be a good option for some dogs as it is minimally processes, is a naturally occurring whole food, and organic raw will have no pesticides or toxins. However, it is very expensive and messy. Be mindful of the spread of bacteria, especially if your dog loves to give you – and your whole family – big wet kisses on the face! There is potential to transfer salami from the raw food.
Consult your vet, or perhaps a holistic or integrated vet, that doesn’t sell any particular product. Do not be tricked into purchasing a commercial dog food with a picture of your dog on the front, unless advised to do so by a reputable show breeder or your vet. There is a great deal of marketing and advertising that goes into the outside of those bags – the more money spent on the outside of the bag often means there is less money going into the food inside.
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Propylene glycol
Propylene glycol is an ingredient in antifreeze. It is a burning, stinging, irritation and allergic reactions have been reported from ingestion or inhaling propylene glycol. It is potentially toxic to the liver and kidneys and should be avoided by pregnant women and infants. It is a common component of many inexpensive and low quality dog
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Natural and holistic definitions
The word “natural” insinuates that the food and ingredients are derived from natural ingredients. Since there is no actual legal standard any pet food brand can utilize the term “natural” in marketing their products. Remember that arsenic, lead, and other common toxins are naturally occurring. Yet, we would not want to feed our children and
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Organic
“Organic” is a very different and important distinction. Products that are organic may contain ingredients that are organic or the entire product may be derived from organic sources. One of our top rated dog foods is “organic” as defined by the AAFCO through its national organic program (NOP) which is a division of the US
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Sanitation
How often have we heard the phrase, “He’s a dog. They eat things. Some even eat poop.” Why then, do we worry so much about dogs having a clean water and food bowl? There are many reasons for this practice. When a dog goes outside and licks or sniffs something on the ground, typically his
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Glucosamine and Condrointants
Make sure you use the right formula and dosage specifically for the animal you are treating. For example, a synthetic glucosamine supplement made for humans may be completely ineffective because your dog’s body cannot absorb it. Animals and humans process medications and chemicals differently which is why acetaminophen can be toxic in dogs as can
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The odd things dogs eat
There are many reasons why dogs eat their own feces. One is actually tied to the puppies before they are even born. Just as a pregnant woman might crave odd combinations of foods, so can a puppy be preprogrammed to be hungry before it is even born. Sometimes when the momma dog is still pregnant,
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Ingredient sources
Sometimes you may buy the same food for years, and then suddenly your dog begins exhibiting strange behavior or has digestive issues. Some mid to lower end dog foods are often outsourced; a farmer might be providing the meat for a particular dog food one week and then a different farmer (source) may provide it
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BHA and BHB
BHA BHB are chemicals (preservatives) that extend the shelf life of food for many years These chemicals are known charsinians that can impact your dog physically, emotionally, as well as their behavior Can also cause inflammation in the tissues and can impact energy level Higher quality foods will avoid these preservatives and will instead use
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Dog Food Tips
There’s plenty of ingredients to look out for when choosing your dogs main source of nutrition. Here are a few dog food tips with ingredients to look out for: Wheat in Dog Food Wheat (gluten) is the #1 cause of allergies, poor digestion, behavioral changes and inflammation in a dog. Inflammation may occur in the brain,
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