Homemade Dog Food FAQ's and Tips

If you are trying to decide if switching you dog to a homemade dog food diet, rather than a store bought commercial brand there are a few basic questions you should ask yourself.

1. Can any dog eat a homemade dog food diet?

Most dogs tend to adjust very well to homemade dog food. This is just another form of the same food that you have been feeding your dog, but much healthier and better for your pet. If your pet is sick, or needs a very specific diet due to disease or illness, I would make sure to talk to your vet before trying this method of diet.

2. My grandparents used to just give the family pets whatever leftovers there were after dinner every day. Is this okay?

No. Leftovers of our food will not be healthy for your dog. There will be unnecessary extras in the food that is not good for your pet such as butter or salt and spices. Also a homemade dog food diet consists of specific amounts of meat, vegetables and fruit, and also carbohydrates. A recipe for this must be followed.

3. Do I need to give my dog extra supplements when he is on a homemade dog food diet?

Yes. Certain necessary supplements are needed such as extra calcium, which can be given in the form of bone meal. This replaces the bones from a raw food diet that our dog's ancestors would get when hunting for food in the wild.

Also a multi vitamin made specifically for your dog's weight can be given every day. By following a prescribed homemade dog food recipe from your vet, or from a book written by an authority on dog nutrition, your dog should get the proper nutrition mostly from the home cooked food. Just don't overdo the supplements.

4. What is a carbohydrate that is considered acceptable for my dog?

Carbohydrates are an important ingredient in a dog's daily diet and you can use cooked pasta, rice, oatmeal, barley, or potatoes. The less refined the carbohydrate, the better, such as brown rice rather than 5 minute quick cooking white rice.

5. Isn't meat the only thing a dog really needs?

No. To balance out a dog's daily diet the meat portion is the largest, but carbohydrates and veggies and fruit must be added. These are also required and important ingredients.

6. Fruit? I've never heard of feeding a dog fruit. What's that all about?

Fruits contain large amounts of vitamins, minerals and vital energy, the same as vegetables. This adds extra variety and of course some sweetness to your dogs meal. Dried fruits such as apricots or dates can be used as special treats between meals in small portions also.

7. How do I know how much to make and feed my dog every day?

Just like a recipe book we use has ingredients and amounts listed for different meals, so do dog food recipes. Your dog is fed according to weight. There are many excellent dog food cook books available through the internet, at your library, or at your local bookstore that are written by specialists such as pet nutritionists or veterinarians.

8. Isn't it a lot of extra work? Some days I don't have enough time to cook for myself.

Yes, at first, until you get a set routine it may take a little extra time out of your regular time. Once you get going though, you can make the food in batches and freeze portions ready to thaw and serve. I usually spend an hour on the weekend making one week of meals, and this fits my schedule. If you really want to feed your dog homemade food, you won't mind the extra time, and you will be satisfied knowing your dog is getting the best nutrition and a healthier life.

9. Is it expensive?

No more than if you buy your dog a premium brand or organic dog food. In the long run, with reduced vet visits due to increased health, you will ultimately save money.

10. So I can feed all the same fruits, vegetables meats and starches to my dog that I eat.

Almost all with a few important exceptions. Grapes and raisins, along with onions and garlic can be toxic to dogs and should never be fed to them. There is also a list of other foods that should never be given to your dog such as chocolate or coffee, but they are not on the list of nutritious foods anyway. Just be aware of which foods are dangerous so you don't have an emergency run to the vet.

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Top Rated Dog Food, Worth of One More Bite

Have you ever scrutinized the ingredients in a commercial dog food promoted on national TV and consider if those were healthy or not? Some of dog foods on hand are so highly processed and contain extra preservatives. Like eating potato chips for humans, they aren't doing any better for our dogs. Dog food should prove that it can provide all the nutrients needed by your ever dearest pet. So, check if the dog food you shop at is top rated dog food.

The well-being of your dog should be one of your top priorities and you would not disagree that you also like to save money on the vet bills. Opposing to the popular belief, just any dog food will do, people often neglect the importance of choosing the top rated dog food for the improvement of your pet's health.

You might questioned the legitimacy of dog ratings and reviews found in the Internet, but as a dog owner, you want to go out of your way and try anything that will ensure the best quality care for dog. So, checking and exerting some effort to see some reviews and dog food ratings are so beneficial.

You could go for commercial dog food, however many will suggest to choose home made dog food since you have the chance to pick and prepare the food yourself. So, you should be on the ball about dog's diet through reading some dog food ratings and reviews.

Easy step to care of your dog's health is giving him fresh water and quality food at all times. In spite of common and misleading beliefs, all brand of dog food are not created in the same way as the other top rated dog food do.

When choosing dog food, check the ingredients on the package. Consider if the label states that it contain 'human grade' to ensure that this meet the high quality criteria. This means, that the meat in it is also suitable for human consumption. Unfortunately, most of the dog foods available out there are not 'human grade', that's why very few are included on top rated dog food list.

Choosing between top rated dog foods can be a difficult task, as they often seem highly regarded and thus trustworthy. In this case, a good indicator whether you're dealing with quality food or not, is whether the ingredients are carefully explained on the packaging.

Never buy grocery store-food that does not contain any nutritional information on it, it could prove damaging for your dog.

Many commercial dog foods are filled with corn gluten meal, corn meal and such just to cut down the costs of production. These ingredients are not healthy in any way for your dog.

Most top rated dog food includes major ingredients such as vegetables, meat-based proteins and whole grains. Foods rich in stated above "bad" ingredients can lead to serious health problems.

Feeding your dog with top rated dog food might cost you a lot, but will be cheaper in the end, prior to all the expensive medicine, vet's professional fee and operations when your dog's health become worse.

Providing your dog with your chosen top rated dog food is worth a single or more bites of your dog. Making him contented and healthy should be your top priority since this is one of the most important factors of dog care. You should never go for something that will compromise your dog's health. Take time to read reviews and ratings to see which of those dog food brands meet the qualifications to gain status of top rated dog food in town.

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Why organic dog food for your dog?

In today's world more and more people are becoming environmentally conscious and that is the very reason why there is a rapid boom in organic food. Many people have come to realize the bad effects of commercial food to their health. Thus, a lot of them have changed their lifestyles especially their eating habits have changed to organic food. Many people who have gone organic can testify that they had better immunity to common illnesses. They have better complexions and they have fewer allergies. The health benefits of eating organic go much deeper than that.

This phenomenon had eventually influenced a good number of dog owners and convinced by the fact that they can improve their dog health by feeding them organic dog foods. They are holistic in nature and contain only natural ingredients. Organic dog foods are free from artificial colors, pesticides, artificial taste enhancer which can cause allergies in your dog.

Holistic food is that which will help in overall development of your dog such as health, strength,   strong immune system, dog's appearance etc. The demand and sales of organic dog food had recently gone up. As dog owners realized the ill-effects of feeding their dogs with commercial dog food, as much as preservatives-packed foods are detrimental to the health of human beings. This eco-friendly campaign of people these days was a product of people's desire for a healthy living. For dog owners, dog owners have come to know that dog foods found in the market are not the best option for their dogs. Instead, organic dog food is the key to keep dogs healthier. Although, the U.S. Department of Agriculture made it clear that the difference between organic and commercial foods is how it is produced and processed and not their nutritional content.

Wholesome ingredients in organic dog food are more appealing than chemicals preservatives or synthetic ingredients in many commercialized dog food have. Organic dog food contains natural ingredient and does not contain growth hormones, antibiotics, and artificial flavorings. Dog treats are made of organic whole grains while organic dog food made of chicken are only made of free-range chickens.  Because Free-range chickens are healthier has higher nutritional value since they do not rely on synthetic chicken feeds but on natural food found in their surroundings.

If you are planning of switching over your dog's diet to organic dog food, you have to consider the price of the same as well. Organic dog foods are more expensive than regular ones, so you need to go through your option again to check if they will fit your budget. One notable benefit of using organic dog food is that your dog will generally have more energy and a healthy weight. Since our healthy choice organic dog food does not contain dog food bulk-fillers, your dog will only consume what they need to maintain healthy energy levels and life functions to live a delightful life. They get satiated faster even if they eat fewer amounts of nutrient-dense organic dog foods. An organic diet can also improve the immunity of your pets considerably to keep himself away from many infections or illnesses. Since it is organic in nature and contains only natural ingredients, it is more digestible so dogs can easily absorb the nutrients. What you feed your dog will have an impact on how he looks, feels, and his daily activity. Somehow, by feeding them with organic food, you are ensuring them with long, happy, and healthy life.

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The Dog Food Conspiracy.Tips On How To Get Good Dog Food

Understand that arguably, the best ratios for a healthy dog's diet are about 40% meat, 50% veggies, and only about 10% grain or other carbohydrate. Choose pet food close to this ingredient ratio. However, this type of information is not available from the regulated part of the label (ie, guaranteed analysis or ingredient list).

Ensure that meat meal protein sources are high in the ingredient list. The meal is basically the pre-cooked meat, which ensures that it won't reduce down anymore during the cooking process. (It takes 5 pounds of the animal meat to make one pound of the animal meal.) You could look for three of the first five ingredients listed on the label as a form of protein such as chicken meal, lamb meal, venison meal. Although by-products can include chicken beaks, feet, bones, etc., reputable manufacturers will select ingredients processed to remove such indigestible material. However, as per AAFCO, animal by-products MUST contain the animals head, feet, and or intestines. Rarely, you may need to look for foods that exclude corn, cornmeal, and wheat, due to concerns about potential allergens. Although corn is not as digestible as rice and wheat. Grains can be a long-term source of energy and energy storage for dogs, but they can also be used as a cheap filler in order to boost the food's protein percentage. Watch out! Any grain you feed your dog should be used in whole form so that it supplies more fiber, vitamins and minerals. The best grains for dogs (when used in the proper percentages) are rolled oats, barley, quinoa, millet, and brown rice.

Often, low quality dog foods will list a meat ingredient first, which will be followed by several by-products and fillers. In this case, although meat is listed first, there are actually MORE fillers, which changes the ratio noted above.

A well-planned vegetarian diet can work for dogs, although dogs are omnivores by nature. Dogs need animal protein. Would a dog naturally be vegetarian? No. Most veterinarians and holistic practitioners agree that although a dog can survive on a vegetarian diet, they may not thrive on it.

Be aware that while preservatives may be necessary to keep the food edible, preservatives do not have to be artificial chemicals that might be cancer-causing agents. Avoid pet foods that use chemical preservatives BHA, BHT and Ethoxyquin. Vitamin E & vitamin C are great preservatives that are much better for your dog.

Choose Premium Brand dog foods instead of Economy Brand dog foods. The cheapest ingredients are rarely the healthiest ones.

Go holistic. Holistic foods are 100% natural and 100% nutritious. They contain human-grade ingredients. One holistic pet food manufacturer provides an free online video "The Truth About Dog Food" you can watch here. (Actually, the term "human-grade" is a marketing technique. As is "holistic". To be able to market a food as "human-grade" the food has to be run through a series of trials and tests that AAFC officiates. If the food does not pass ALL of these tests and trials it is actually illegal to put the term "human-grade" on the bag.)

Some may consider this rule of thumb: If you wouldn't eat it, your dog probably shouldn't eat it either. (Think animal fat and added salt or sugar.) But there are some things you would eat (such as chocolate, grapes, raisins, white flour and onions) that are NOT good for your dog. Don't make the mistake of thinking all human food is appropriate for your canine. Canine and human nutritional needs and likes differ, such that what is appropriate and appealing for your dog may not be something you care to eat. In addition, some ingredients considered undesirable by US consumers (eg, by-products) are enjoyed by humans in other cultures.

Some More Tips

If you really want to know what's in your dog's food, try making your own dog food. It's not as hard as it sounds! There are plenty of recipes and meal plans available online, but beware. Really research what you're doing. Consult with your veterinarian to make sure the diet is well-balanced. A very helpful book is "The Whole Pet Diet" by Andi Brown, and she gives some good recipes. If you'd rather save time and pay more for the same thing, she also produces Halo Spot's Stew, which is her homemade recipe canned.

Every dog, like every human, has different nutritional requirements. It is very important you check with your veterinarian to determine what foods best meet your pet's needs.
A good way to see if your dog's diet is suitable is to check how it comes out the other end. No, you don't have to get too close to it, but as you pick it up in your poop scoop or baggie, check it for consistency and general appearance. A healthy dog's output should be firm and without any traces of blood or mucus.
When changing your dog's food it is important to switch gradually, as it is easier on the dogs digestive system, and reactions to the new food will generally be less severe. It is recommended that you gradually increase the amount of new food in the following sequence: 1/7, 1/3, 1/1, 3/1, 7/1, and 1; this being the portion of new food to old food (first change: a total of 8 cups of food [that would be one big dog!] with one cup of new food with 7 cups of old food). Each change should be gradual with several days (5 days to a week is best) between changes. All in all it should take a month or more. Even a 4-day transition can help avoid digestive upsets.
Sometimes you can't afford the very best for your pets, so it comes down to trying to find the best that fits your budget. Use what you've learned about ingredient labels to make the best decision.
Often, you'll find what seems to be a good dog food in almost every aspect, but it has too much grain. To help balance the ratios, try a grain-free canned dog food to supplement your dry food with. Dogs love canned food mixed with their food.

There are also many online programs which also claim to assist in providing accurate information on the proper nutrients which dogs require these days for a healthy lifestyle.

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Question by khrissy: How much dog food do you feed a jack russell and rat terrier?
I have 2 dogs, a jack russell and a rat terrier. We used to always make sure there was food in there bowels at all times. But then the jack russell started to gain a ton of weight. Now we follow the back of the dog food bag guideline. It is premium dog food. My dogs get normal activity, but now they act like they're starving, is this normal? My dogs are healthy otherwise.

Best answer:

Answer by Soccer Coach
Look on the bag. There is a weight chart that says what they should be getting.

What do you think? Answer below!

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Thinking about Nutritional Dog Food for your Four-legged Friend?

Providing your dog the healthy dog food he merits is one of the first steps to ensuring he's completely content under your care. Once you begin including well-balanced meals in his menu, he will immediately become a bit more lively and playful than he currently is. Once you have learned to prepare wholesome dog treats, you'll certainly be rewarded with the bliss of having a happy, vibrant loyal companion with you.

Healthy dog treats help

As a responsible dog owner, it's advisable not to feed your pet with unhealthy high-calorie, high-fat scraps off of your dinner table. A wholesome diet plan has the ability to promote a healthy coat and skin growth, build up powerful muscle tissue and bones, and make his eyes clear and vibrant. Simply by serving your pet the proper meals, you can actually prevent her from getting afflictions and give your pet the opportunity to live an extended life. Healthy dog food can also relieve intestinal complications. As long as your pet is eating the right food, he / she can grow to be healthier and stronger eliminating expensive, time-consuming trips to the veterinarian. On the other hand, a poor diet may weaken his body's immune system, affecting the puppy's internal organs, making your pet vulnerable to several inflictions.

Feeding your pet: Just what are the options?

Different types of pet food are available for virtually all variety of dog lovers. They're usually grouped into three categories: store-bought, hand made, and raw dog treats. Once you've found out about their advantages and disadvantages, it's easy to find a very good diet regime that meets your dog's nutritional needs. Commercially made dog snacks consist of package foods bought at the local grocery store. While they are not entirely characterized as wholesome pet food, many dog owners still favor this option due to the convenience it brings. Although they happen to be available in semi-dry, wet, and dry types, their dietary value is frequently not sufficient to fulfill your pet's needs. Uncooked puppy treats are likewise popular for many dog owners. They can be created as ready-to-package meals which you can easily prepare in your own home. This food alternative is known for its completely holistic ingredients and all-natural contents. Last of all, hand made foods for pets are great for those that wish to monitor every single aspect of their dog's nutrition. Many different recipes are available for pet owners who would like to prepare the most suitable snacks for their pets. An important feature about this option is that you can prepare them using whatever ingredients you've got in your house.

Is commercially made pet food the best thing for your canine?

Although commercially made pet treats are budget friendly, they're not exactly giving you the best bang for your buck. The vast majority of vets tend not to recommend most 'off-the-shelf' commercially-made pet food because of its low nutritional content. Feeding this to your dog on a long-term basis can lead to serious complications and countless health hazards.

Even the best dry dog food doesn't contain adequate nutrients for your pup's particular needs. Regardless of its fancy name and enticing ingredients, it is probably not worth the hefty price. A lot of store-bought dog foods have a substantial amount of harmful content and synthetic additives. Even so, not all types of store-bought dog food will harm your animal's health. Despite the fact that the finest pre-packaged snacks often aren't as healthy as natural and hand made puppy treats, you can still use them in conjunction with healthy dog food you can prepare at home.

Uncooked puppy food: The right diet for puppies

Natural dog food is gradually becoming one of the fastest growing areas in the pet care industry. Produced from natural and unprocessed ingredients, these products will help your dog grow to be strong and robust. Quite a few health specialists actually consider raw dog food to be the healthiest dog food currently available. It seeks to replicate how dogs eat in the wild by attempting to keep their food free from additives, chemicals, preservatives, along with other fillers which can do them more harm than good.

Proponents of the raw dog food diet also recommend fruits and vegetables as two of the most basic elements of a wholesome meal. The raw meat ingredients incorporated in this diet plan are pork, turkey, salmon, and rabbit. Kelp, flax seed, as well as eggs are also valuable supplements for this diet.

Keeping tabs on your dog's growth with hand-made dog treats

You also have the option to prepare hand made food for your puppy. It provides you with total control over your pet's food regimen so that you know precisely what goes into every meal. You can also guarantee that your dog's food was made in a hygienic environment if you are preparing the meals yourself. Having said that, designing homemade meal plans will likely consume much of your time and energy. It will also present you with the additional burden of developing nutritionally-balanced meals. Although this option is a healthy alternative, you may not have sufficient time to monitor every little thing your pet eats day-to-day. Now that you have an understanding of your current options, you can begin preparing healthy dog food that will transform your dog's lifestyle for the better.

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Dog Food Aggression

Dog food aggression is one of those dog behavior problems that is difficult for us humans to fully understand. It just doesn't seem to make sense that your dog would consider you a threat to his/her food resource. I mean you gave him the food in the first place, and if you feed your dog's the same kinds of foods that I do, it's not all that appealing anyway!

But, what is your dog thinking?

If your dog glares at you, snarls, growls and positions himself between you and the food he is actually saying to you "this is mine, go away, find your own". He is basically telling you that he considers himself as the leader or alpha dog in your household. Dog food aggression (sometimes called canine possession aggression) is a dominance issue, it is serious and needs to be addressed immediately, it won't just go away.

We've all made the mistake of laughing and even encouraging our feisty little dogs when they first display the "cute" signs of dog food aggression. Don't fall into this trap! Food or toy aggression in dogs should never be tolerated as you never know when it can escalate into something more dangerous for you or a family member.

Why Does Your Dog Display Dog Food Aggression?

Canine possession aggression can be triggered by any number of factors but in most cases it can be attributed to one of these common causes:

- Your dog is desperate for this food, in his mind he doesn't know if or when he will get more food. Therefore he protects or guards his food, just like he would have done in a pack situation in the wild.

- Your dog may begin to see you as someone who is always taking good stuff away. He comes to view you more as a threat than a provider (you've got to turn this thinking around).

- Dog food aggression can be part of the general confusion regarding who the leader is in your owner - dog relationship. Often it is not an isolated incident, it's something you need to rectify.

- It's possible that your dog doesn't even understand that his dog food aggression is unacceptable behavior. In such cases there is an obvious communication breakdown between human and dog.

General Rules For Correcting Food Aggression In Dogs

- If your dog is directing his aggression towards other dogs the best solution is to simply separate them at meal times. Feed them in different rooms or in their crates.

- Involve all of your family members in this dog food aggression training.

- Take control of feeding time. You control the time and place of dinner time - own the food!

- Make your dog earn any food. Just simple tasks like sit or a down stay is fine.

- Make it clear to your young puppies that it's good to have people around when they are eating. If you do this from day one you will almost certainly prevent dog food aggression problems.

- If you encounter dog food aggression it is a good idea to feed your dog after you and your family eat. This again is a throwback to your dogs pack mentality where the alpha dog or leader of the pack (which is you) eats first - your dog will understand this technique.

- Don't let your dog "win" the food through his growling, this would reward the very behavior you are trying to eradicate. Don't bully or intimidate your dog though, it's much better to make him actually like having you around at meal time (follow the tips below to achieve this).

- Never respond to canine possession aggression with aggression of your own. In essence what this does is to lock you and your dog into a battle of wills. Your dogs next move will most likely be to step up his level of aggression to counter your action.

Dog Food Aggression Training Techniques

Firstly, be careful. If you believe your dog poses any real physical threat to you or family members I'd advise getting professional help. Speak to a professional dog trainer or animal behaviorist.

Below is a list of training techniques which could help your dog overcome his dog food aggression. Remember all of these techniques are designed to work towards reconditioning your dog to enjoy having you around anytime. Mix it up, show your dog who is boss.

- Hand feed your dogs, even stick your hands into your dogs bowl while he is eating.

- Stroke and pet your dog while he is eating and at the same time talk to him in a calming tone. All you are doing at this point is showing your dog that it is a good thing for you to be around.

- Stand at a distance your dog is comfortable with, then gradually reduce this distance over time. You can flick a few treats in (or near) the bowl as you slowly reduce the distance.

- Put your dogs bowl down with nothing in it, your dog will look back at you as though you are crazy. He'll then literally beg you to come over and fill his bowl.

- Feed your dog as normal but hold back a few pieces of his meal. When he is finished licking the bowl, he'll look back up at you, then you can come over and give him the remaining food.

- Drop a few of your dogs very favorite treats into his bowl each time you walk past it. After a while of this your dog will welcome the sight of you approaching the bowl.

- When your dog is eating, call him over to you, when he gets to you reward him, make it worth his while then let him back to the food bowl.

- While you are preparing your dogs meal put him in a down-stay or sit position, only release him from your command once you have put his bowl down. By doing this you are controlling meal time and establishing (or re-establishing) your role as your dogs leader.

- Work with another family member on this technique. Put your dog in his collar and leash and have him sit with your helper while you prepare the food. When you are ready release your dog and allow him his food. Again you are controlling the situation.

- Try the "Trade Up Method". What you do is take away the food or toy your dog is guarding, and replace it with something better. You can use an obedience command such as "give" or "leave it" to encourage your dog to release the precious resource he is guarding. You then take this resource (the food or toy) and give the trade up item to your dog. Once your dog has finished with the new item, you can then give back the resource you took away. This technique proves to your dog that he will receive something great for giving something up, it will recondition his thinking.

- Every time you are with your dog have him in a pinch or prong collar with a leash attached. Whenever he displays any signs of dog food aggression you immediately administer a correction to your dog by snapping on the leash. What this does to your dog is build a negative association to the act of his food guarding antics.

Good luck with your training efforts.

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The first (and only?) video shot on the PixelVision "KiddieCorder" by Fisher-Price - a toy black-and-white camcorder produced in 1987 that uses an AUDIO CASSETTE as its recording medium. Director: Jason Phillips
Video Rating: 4 / 5

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Is Raw or Cooked Dog Food a Better Choice for Your Pet?

Feeding dogs raw food is a topic that has been hotly debated a great deal by its advocates and critics. The real issue that needs to be the topic of conversation is processed versus fresh food for dogs and not so much whether the food is raw or cooked.

But because of the unique qualities that characterize each of our pets, there are probably as many distinct nutritional requirements as there are dogs on the planet. With that said, I believe that pet nutrition, in order to keep your dog healthy, should be based on some common sense principles.

Principle #1: Only feed your dog ingredients that are packed with nutrients of the highest quality.

Principle #2: Your dog's meals should be prepared in accordance with a precise formula so that the nutrition it provides is balanced and complete.

Principle #3: To retain as much of the nutrient value of the food as possible so that the nutrients are readily absorbed by your dog's body, serve it food that is processed as little as possible.

Principle #4: Another way to preserve the food's nutrient value and keep it from spoiling is to feed your dog immediately after the food is prepared.

I would really like to hear an explanation from anyone who does not agree with these common sense principles.

The degree to which your dog's food is processed (Principle #3) is at the heart of the matter. The main reason why fresh food advocates like myself dislike processed dog food so much, whether it is canned or dry, is that the high temperatures required to manufacture commercial dog food destroys the nutrients in it. To rectify this problem, dog food manufacturers add synthetic vitamins to the food, artificial chemicals that a dog's body has a hard time absorbing. "Organic" or "natural" kibble to me is an oxymoron, and I have a good laugh whenever I see those words on a dog food package because all of the valuable nutrients one would expect to find in organic or natural dog food are destroyed by the processing required to create commercial kibble.

Individuals who feed their dogs only raw food argue that any kind of processing, including light cooking, jeopardizes the food's nutritional value. On the other hand, critics of the raw food diet would argue that dogs who eat it are more likely to consume pathogens such as E. coli and salmonella that are often found in uncooked meat. There is probably some value to each argument, but when deciding which way to go, you have to consider what you are going to give up by choosing one diet over the other.

The digestive system of a dog, according to trustworthy experts I have spoken with, is quite capable of handling the normal quantities of bacteria that may be found in uncooked meat. On the other hand, a lot of those same experts will tell you that only a small amount of damage occurs to nutrients that are the most sensitive to heat when meals are cooked lightly enough to get rid of any harmful pathogens.

Therefore, you really don't have to make a choice between the two approaches. Each pet owners has to decide on his or her own what to feed their dogs.

A good rule of thumb to follow is to feed your dog food that has been processed as little as possible. Most dogs can handle eating raw food that has been subjected to no processing whatsoever.

But there are a few dogs who need to be fed cooked food because their sensitive digestive systems simply cannot break down raw food very easily. Nor should dogs that have a high risk of getting sick from pathogens be fed raw food, and this would include dogs whose immune systems are in a weakened state or who live with people who have weak immune systems. And then you have those finicky dogs who insist on eating only cooked food. The best way to go with these dogs is to serve them food that has been lightly cooked.

Approximately two thirds of our customers whom we surveyed report that they feed their dogs raw food, while a third of them serve cooked meals to their dogs. Not only did neither group report that their dogs suffered any health complications, but they also saw significant improvements in the health of their pets compared to when they were fed dry dog food.

Working up a lather over whether you should feed your dog cooked or raw food is unnecessary. It's absolutely okay if you feel more at ease serving your dog food that you have lightly cooked. Do your best to avoid highly processed dry dog food and, instead, serve your pets fresh food, whether you cook it lightly or feed it to them raw.

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Checkout Lane: How to pick the best dog food
VCA South Shore (Weymouth, Mass.) hospital manager Christy Hunter with some special diet pet foods sold at the hospital. Tuesday, Feb. 22, 2011.
Read more on Advocate Tribune

Gross footage of what's really in Pet Food from supplement maker K9-Rx.com. Some actual footage of a Rendering Plant and information that will turn your stomach! It'll make you think twice about the next bag of dog food you buy. www.k9rx.com

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Best Dog Food - Quick Guide

If you are a dog owner and you are searching on a ways to improve your pet's health then you should pay a closer attention on what your dog eats. A shiny coat, lean body and bright eyes are just some of the signs you look for to tell that your dog is indeed healthy. So if your dog does not have these traits then you have some work to do and for starters you should begin on the food that he eats.

How to find the best dog food that will make sure that your puppy or your adult dog will benefit from being healthy and strong? This guide will help you find the best dog food if you can adhere to the advice of many dog lovers that shared their experience in this article.

There are different kinds of dog food and to find the best dog food for your canine buddy it would be best to learn a thing or two about them.

Commercial Dog Food

Even though commercially sold dog foods claim that they are the best in the market, their flashy advertising does not guarantee that they are. Researchers have shown that some commercial dog foods do not measure up to the quality standards and some even have chemicals that can be hazardous to your dogs. In fact there have been incidents of dog food recalls in 2007 and 2008.

In choosing the dog food for your pet, you have to look at the label. Ensure that you are not buying dog food that is mostly made of grains and fillers. You have to be sure that the commercial dog food you are purchasing is of good quality and manufactured by reputable dog food makers.

It is also best to consult your vet for expert advice or recommendations. They're the ones who know a lot about pet nutrition and their take will take a long way when it comes to your dog's health. Sometimes vets advise pet owners to feed their dogs different combinations of dog food to meet their nutrition needs.

Raw Dog Food

This dog food group is gaining popularity as of this time. Raw dog food is believed to be the most natural dog food. In the olden days, this is how dogs thrive in the woods. Thus, this is the best way they get the nutrition they need and will therefore develop a strong and lean body.

Raw dog food is therefore recommended. However, it is necessary that you use fresh raw dog food to ensure that your dog will not suffer from eating rotten food.

Eating raw meaty bones is likewise good for your dog. However, never give your dog cooked bones. Cooked bones become brittle and thus may splinter and could hurt the dog as well.

Homemade dog food

If you are looking ways to cut off some expenses, homemade dog food is a cheaper alternative to commercially sold dog food. You can research on dog food recipes that will fulfill your dog's nutritional needs. Making your own dog food have a wide variety of benefits, one of these benefits is that you can be sure that what he eats is chemical and filler free.

When it comes to dog food recipes, there are lots of choices to choose from online resource sites. Just try these recipes and see how your dog responds. Experts say that the best dog food combination is mostly composed of homemade dog food coupled with a rare treat of raw dog food.

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Choosing the Best Dog Food

Browse any grocery store or pet food store to buy Dog Food and you will agree that trying to decide on what is best for your dog is an exhausting task. Scanning the shelves of products available, you are bombarded by foods extolling different health benefits as well as a huge range of prices. The pet food industry is a multi-billion dollar industry and pet food manufacturers are eagerly marketing for every dollar. Not only are they marketing us to death, but also developing new products to put in front of us. Those products include "dry", "canned", "semi-moist" and health targeted products such as "senior", "premium" and "gourmet.

So which food is best for your dog? Finding that out takes time and research. The truth is, the best dog food is the one that meets your dog's nutritional requirements, which vary based upon the dog's age, breed, body weight, genetics, and amount of activity... and one that fits within your budget. It is definitely worth consulting a veterinarian to get the best advice and nutrition plan for your dog. But for those of you that want to take matters in your own hands, you will find detailed below the most important things you will need to know.

Dog Food Labels

Susan Powter comes to mind when thinking about food labels. Remember this iconic infomercial star with the coined phrase "Stop the Insanity"? Her gospel about nutrition and the importance of studying the ingredients on the side of the packaging to distinguish the various elements and how each plays its role in overall nutrition, was novel at that time. It seems that this was the beginning of the mass movement to better nutrition, label reading and choosing products more carefully.

With all the recent pet food recalls, millions of dog owners have extended this scrutiny to selecting a dog food. But we can't pull from the Susan Powter gospel for this, because dog foods are manufactured under a series of different standards and regulations, put forth by the AAFCO ( The Association of American Feed Control Officials ). There are special labeling requirements that require all dog foods to have certain information on the label. So, in order that we can all make a proper choice for our dogs, we must know how to read and understand the dog food label.

The AAFCO puts out an official publication, on a yearly basis, detailing special requirements for dog food. Among all the different requirements, they request all dog food manufacturers to adhere to label regulations and must include on the package the following:

# Product Name
# Guaranteed Analysis
# Nutritional Adequacy Statement
# Feeding Directions

The Name Game

When shopping for dog food, what is the first thing you look at? The product name, of course. We've all walked down the pet food aisle and seen the product names jump out as us...calling us. Displayed in bold type and fancy fonts such descriptions as "With Chicken", "All Life Stages", "Duck Entree", "95% Beef", "Natural Dog Food". But what do these descriptions really mean? Is it just fancy marketing? The AAFCO has set forth rules that dictate how ingredients can be used in a product name.

95% Rule

# Applies to most canned dog food that consists mostly of meat, poultry or fish.
# Specifies that at least 95% of the dog food must be the named ingredient on the label, not counting water and preservatives added for processing.
# Counting water, the product must still consist of 70% of the product.
# If the name consists of a combination of ingredients, the two combined must equal 95%.
# The rule only applies to ingredients of animal origin, so grains and vegetables cannot be used as part of the 95% rule. So if the product name was "Beef and Brown Rice", the product would still have to consist of 95% beef.

25% or "Dinner" Rule

# This rule applies to many canned as well as dry dog foods.
# If the named ingredient, or a combination of ingredients, found on the label consists of 25% of the weight (but less than 95%) excluding water for sufficient processing.
# The name must include a descriptive term, such as "Dinner", "Platter", "Entree", or "Formula".
# If more than one ingredient is in the name, they must both total 25% combined, with each named ingredient equalling or exceeding 3%.

3% or "With" Rule

# Originally, this rule was intended to apply only to ingredients highlighted on the package, outside of the product name.
# It allows manufacturers to highlight minor ingredients.
# The ingredient must have at least 3% added.
# The rule now allows manufacturers to use the term "With" in the product name.

Be careful when reading the dog food label because "Beef Dog Food" and "Dog Food with Beef" are not the same. The first must have 95% beef, whereas the latter only needs 3%.

Flavor Rule

# A percentage of any one ingredient isn't required.
# The word "Flavor" must appear on the label in the same font size and color as the ingredient name.
# The flavor might be the corresponding ingredient, but more often than not, it's another substance such as "meal", "by-product", a "stock" or a "broth".

Guaranteed Analysis

The guaranteed analysis is the next component that needs to be on a dog food label. It serves as a general guide as to what the percentages of the main nutrients and other items are in the total makeup of the product. At the bare minimum, the guaranteed analysis must consist of the following:

# Minimum Percentage of Protein
# Minimum Percentage of Fat
# Maximum Percentage of Fiber
# Maximum Percentage of Moisture

Go ahead and look at your label at this point. See it there? Good. Now, if you have a can of dog food and a package of dry dog food at your disposal, take a look at both labels. After careful analysis you might want to ask, "Hey Michael, I notice when looking at both labels that the dry dog food has way more nutrients. I thought canned food had way more protein...what gives?"

Keep this in mind, as I have noticed this as well, that the amounts of protein and other nutrients stated on the labels appear to be less for canned versus dry, but looks are deceiving. The reason? Differences in moisture content. Canned dog food, on average, consists of 75% water, while dry dog food contains about 10%. So to make a true comparison of the nutrient levels, we need to put both types on the same playing field. To do this, we will be converting both products to dry matter.

To convert the nutrients, we need to dust off our calculators that we last used in high school, in order to perform a little math. (And you said to your math teacher, "I'll never use this in the real world!"), But I digress. Here's the formula we will be using: % Guarantee divided by % Dry Matter multiplied by 100

Example In one corner, we have a canned dog food that has a guaranteed analysis consisting of 9% protein, 6% fat, 1.5% fiber and 78% moisture. In the other corner, we have a dry dog food that has a guaranteed analysis consisting of 24% protein, 14.5% fat, 4% fiber and 10% moisture.

# Dry matter of canned: 100 - 78 = 22
# Dry matter of dry: 100 - 10 = 90
# Now we can do our calculations

Canned Dog Food

# Protein: 9 / 22 x 100 = 40.9%
# Fat: 6 / 22 x 100 = 27%
# Fiber: 1.5 / 22 x 100 = 6.8%

Dry Dog Food

# Protein: 24 / 90 x 100 = 26.6%
# Fat: 14.5 / 90 x 100 = 16.1%
# Fiber: 4 / 90 x 100 = 4.4%

So after were done, do you notice the protein? The canned dog food actually has 14% more protein.

Nutritional Adequacy Statement

You've seen it on the labels..."Complete", "Balanced", "For All Lifestages", among others. But how are these claims substantiated? What rules are in place to regulate such verbage? The answer is set forth, once again, by the AAFCO.

The Nutritional Adequacy Statement is required and is one of the most important aspects of a dog food label. This statement assures us that a product meets all of a dog's nutritional requirements. So how is a dog food substantiated for nutritional adequacy? They must use one of two ways:

Calculations

# The method whereby the dog food contains ingredients formulated to provide levels of nutrients that meet an established profile
# Calculations estimate the amount of nutrients either by an average nutrient content of ingredients or results of laboratory tests using standard chemical analysis.
# If it meets the profile set by the AAFCO, the label will carry a statement as follows: "(Name of product) is formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO (Dog) Food Nutrient Profiles for (specific life stage)."

Feeding Trials

# The product (or a similar product made by the same company) has been tested in dogs under strict guidelines and found to provide proper nutrition
# If it meets the profile set by the AAFCO, the label will carry a statement as follows: "Animal feeding tests using AAFCO procedures substantiate that (name of product) provides complete and balanced nutrition for (specific life stage)."

The Nutritional Adequacy Statement will also include a statement about which life stage(s) the dog food is suitable for. Two profiles are used. Below is a definition of each and additional information about other profiles:

# Growth/Lactation - A product intended for growing puppies, for pregnant dogs or lactating females.
# Maintenance - Suitable for any adult, non-reproducing dog of normal activity level, but may not be sufficient for a growing, reproducing, or hard working dog.
# Terms like "Senior" or "Formulated for Large Breed Adults" means the dog food meets the requirements for the Maintenance profile, but nothing more.
# A product that doesn't fit within the two profiles above must state that "This product is intended for intermittent or supplemental feeding," except if it is conspicuously identified as a snack or treat.

Feeding Guidelines

Feeding guidelines are very broad, to say the least. At a minimum, they should include instruction like "Feed ___ Cups Per ___ Pounds." But keep in mind that these instructions are very rough estimates. Most people feed their dogs way too much. In fact, 25% of all dog's are overweight...causing problems such as:

# Diabetes
# Arthritis
# Heart and Liver Problems
# Bladder Cancer

You should treat the guidelines as a place to start. Talk with your veterinarian about your dog food and how much to feed. They understand that nutritional requirements vary and, by knowing your dog, they will be able to recommend a feeding schedule based upon several factors including:

# Age
# Body Weight
# Breed
# Genetics
# Activity Level

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How Dog Food May Affect Your Pet?s Health

After starting a business focused on healthy dog products Distinctive Dog (www.distinctivedog.com), a new world opened up regarding the state of dog nutrition and what manufacturers do not tell consumers.

There is much debate when it comes to dog food, treats and pet nutrition. In the wild, dogs inherently hunted and consumed animals and plants. Their digestive systems were designed to break down raw meat while the enzymes present in the meat aided the digestion process.

Today, most domesticated dogs eat processed kibble containing primarily grains and refined protein sources. Once the meat source is removed, the remaining ingredients are mostly unnatural for the pet. Wheat, barley, rice, corn and oats are all man-raised crops that a dog would never eat in the wild. So how have dogs adapted to a diet consisting mostly of grains and processed protein sources?

To begin with, dogs are highly allergy prone animals. Wheat, corn, soy and barley are common culprits of allergies in dogs. The most interesting factor here is that most of these substances are not contained in the dog’s natural food chain.

Corn is an inferior protein source and some experts contend that the dog’s liver must work overtime to extract useable protein, which in the process produces excess nitrates. These nitrates place extra strain on the liver and as some veterinarians will say, is one cause of premature aging.

Wheat, soy, barley and white rice have very little nutritional value and are used by manufacturers to squeeze more profit out of their products. As a fun experiment, place your dog’s dry food in water for about 10 minutes.  If it swells dramatically, it probably contains high amounts of these grains.

There are a variety of theories on the affects of processed dog food and dog treats on our pets. Veterinarian John B. Symes writes and speaks on the affects of gluten, casin from cow’s milk, corn and soy on otherwise healthy dogs. He is a “recovered” celiac and believes these substances are blocking nutrient absorption during the dog’s digestion process.

Many of these ingredients are used as filler in commercial dog food and when mixed with water, create a sticky substance. Symes points out that the dog’s digestive tract is not designed to break down these materials and the resulting partially-digested sticky material coats the intestines, blocking absorption of essential nutrients.

“Imagine that a German shepherd puppy begins eating a wheat, barley, corn, or soy-based diet from the moment it is weaned. If inadequate levels of calcium and vitamin C are absorbed, what are the chances that its hips, elbows, spine, and other cartilaginous structures are going to form properly? I would say "Not good". Most people familiar with dogs know that this breed has a reputation for horrible hip dysplasia. But, they also have serious allergies and other immune-related disorders. This, of course, is no coincidence. Once it is understood that the allergies form in the area of the gut that is being damaged or coated by the ‘glue’, it is easy to see why the trouble breeds like the German Shepherd, Cocker Spaniel, Shih Tzu, and others have their ‘genetic’ tendencies such as allergic skin and ear problems, orthopedic abnormalities, intervertebral disc ruptures, and cancers,” contends Symes.

Another way dog food and treat manufacturers cut costs is through the protein sources. Most dog foods contain protein sources labeled as “meal”, “digest” or “by-product”. These ingredients contain meat sources that are deemed unsuitable for human consumption. Rendering plants process dead animal and other matter for animal feed, and yes pet food. With virtually no government regulation, these often contaminated protein sources pass as our dog’s dinner.

One regulation on the books was written in the National Research Council’s 1974 publication, The Nutrient Requirement of Dogs. It states that all mammals (except humans) are legally allowable “meat” for rendering as long as they are not decayed. Some states have passed an additional standard excluding dying, dead, disabled, or diseased tissues.

Deborah Lynn Dadd in her book The Nontoxic Home and Office: Protecting Yourself and Your Family form Everyday Toxins and Hazards states, “Each year about 116,000 mammals and nearly 15 million birds are condemned before slaughter. After killing, another 325,000 carcasses are discarded and more than 5.5 million major parts are cut away because they are determined to be diseased. Shockingly, 140,000 tons of poultry is condemned annually, mainly from cancer. The diseased animals that cannot be sold are processed into animal feed.

Now, there is no way to substantiate the claims but I do know that there is no real way to truly know what these ingredients actually contain. In addition, the food is processed at extremely high temperatures during the rendering process which kills much of the nutritional value that may have been present.

When we begin to examine our dog’s diet, one only wonders why dogs are prone to allergies and health issues. William D. Cusick, author of Canine Nutrition & Choosing the Best Food for Your Dog states that nations with generations of dogs raised on commercial pet food have experienced canine longevity decreases up to 50 percent. In addition they have recorded increases in cancers, reproductive complications and other health issues. Hypothesized reasons include environmental pollution, pesticides, vaccinations, urbanization, fluoridated water and commercial pet food.

Cusick furthers his point by stating that in identical environments, humans have increased life expectancy while dogs have decreased. Moreover, in countries where commercial dog food is unavailable these decreases have not been documented. This point cannot be overstated. It points to the dire need for structured research to substantiate the empirical evidence and governmental regulation within the pet food industry.

Today there is no way to concretely determine the health consequences of commercial dog food and grain based diets. As a result of these concerns, many people choose to feed their dogs a Bones and Raw Food diet (BARF). These holistic diets provide a diet closest to what dogs eat in the wild. Our pet’s stomachs are designed to process raw meat and they receive live enzymes not present in cooked food.

Another option is home cooked meals. This can be a tricky option because some human food can be toxic for our pets. A good book on the subject is Home-Prepared Dog & Cat Diets: the Healthful Alternative by Dr. Donald Strombeck. Dog nutrition is different than human nutrition, so I recommend you check with your veterinarian before considering either a BARF or home-prepared diet.

At the very minimum, read and understand pet food labels and ingredients. Ingredient labels are listed in order of quantity. Locate products with minimal levels of wheat or wheat by-products, corn, soy or barley. These are fillers that can adversely affect your dog’s digestive system and if your dog is allergic, they can cause itchy and flakey skin, dull coat and hair loss. These grains should never be listed as the primary ingredient in your dog’s food. Also, understand protein sources and ensure that the protein sources you are providing your pet are high quality and not from rendered sources.

As a general rule of thumb, do not look for quality pet food at your local grocery store or pet store chain.  Specialty pet stores often have greater expertise and can help you find the right food for your pet. If you are looking for healthy dog treats, many companies including Distinctive Dog Bakery (www.distinctivedog.com), offer home baked dog treats free from wheat gluten, soy, corn and other harmful ingredients.

Lastly, consider supplementing your dog’s diet with enzymes and probiotics. Probiotics are friendly bacteria that help in digestion and the absorption of nutrients. They prevent harmful bacteria from growing and causing problems including gas, diarrhea and vomiting. Enzymes help complement probiotics during the digestion process. Adding an enzyme-probiotic mix to your dog’s diet can improve digestion, create better hair coats and increase immune function.

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