Good Dog Food Advice

DOG FOOD ADVICE

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TABLE OF CONTENTS How To Pick the Right Dog Food ......................................................................3 Your Dogs Diet - Feeding Fables That Every Dog Owner Should Know........5 Nutritional Content Of Commercial Dog Foods ...............................................6 Dog Food for the Older Dog...............................................................................8 Could A Homemade Diet Be Best for Your Dog?...........................................10


Tips For Making Your Own Homemade Dog Meals and Treats ....................12

How To Pick the Right Dog Food


As the pet industry becomes larger, so do the pet owner's choices in dog food. So, how do you know if the dog food you choose is right for your pet? If you are like most dog owners, your goal is to keep your pet healthy while satisfying his appetite. But just like no two dogs are the same, there is no such thing as an ideal canine diet. Instead, owners should look take a studied look at their pets. Things such as species, activity level, age, and whether the dog is undergoing any physiological changes such as growth, pregnancy, or nursing should all be considered when deciding upon dog food. Consider Nutrients However, there are some basic rules of thumb. First of all, pick a high-quality dog food that is rich in nutrients, including energy, protein, essential fatty acids, vitamins, minerals, and water. Pay particular attention to the protein ratio. Typically, dog food with a 20 to 30 percent protein content is ideal. To ensure your dog's health, choose a dog food that is easily digestible. A combination of wet and dry dog food will promote healthy teeth and gums. And while it is difficult to turn down a cute and hungry dog, be wary of overfeeding. Overfeeding can lead to obesity, which can cause a number of health problems in your dog. How do you know if you've been overfeeding your dog? Just try to feel his ribs. If you can't feel them, it's time to cut back a bit! If your dog has special health or dietary issues you will want to make sure that the dog food meets your pet's special needs. Check with your veterinarian if you have questions. Or look online for pet retailers who carry dog food. Many of their sites contain excellent articles and other information that can help you choose the right dog food for your pet. High-Quality Pet Food Popular with Owners One of today's popular trends is an increase in high-quality pet foods. As pets replace children and dogs become a part of the family, people who pamper their pooches tend to do so at mealtime as well. Just about every major brand of dog food is coming out with a high-end line, and there are also many smaller companies devoted to the manufacture of high-end, fresh, and healthy dog food. These meals are not only nutritionally balanced, they are delicious and nice to look at. Some dog foods are incorporating human-grade ingredients such as pasta, rice, vegetables, tuna fish, and peanut butter. Others are all-natural or organic.

Even the packaging on high-end dog food is different. Pouring dry kibble out of the bag just won't do anymore! Many high-end dog foods are now packaged in see-through deli containers. These are attractive but also functional. Owners of small dogs who can't eat the entire 10 oz. portion at once can reseal the container to keep the contents fresh. For more advice on dogs and top-selling dog products visit Savvy Dog Lovers | Dog Supplies - where the best bones are buried.

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Your Dogs Diet - Feeding Fables That Every Dog Owner Should Know


Canine nutrition hasn't become as laden with diet fads as have human meal planning. But it has accumulated a number of myths which survive the ridicule of the veterinary profession. As you acquire a dog, your more experienced friends will shower you with advice, which may include some of the following affirmations: - "A clove of garlic keeps worms away" Garlic has enjoyed a reputation for centuries in the folk medicine of many cultures as an antiseptic, a treatment for high blood pressure, etc. But if your dog really does have worms, (and most of them do at one time or another), the quickest way to get rid of them is to have your veterinarian give him a specific worming medicine under his supervision. - "Raw meat makes a dog vicious" Raw or cooked meat is essential to a dogs nutrition. Fifty percent is the standard ration, and it may compare as much as 75 percent of his diet. If he is fed only meat, he may become high strung, not because the meat is raw, but because he is being given an unbalanced diet. - "A sugar cube dipped in coffee is good for a dogs heart" It is particularly good for his morale, because it probably means that he is sharing your after dinner coffee with you. Give it occasionally as a harmless treat, but not as a regular "medicine", and not as a heart remedy. - "Dogs cannot digest starch" They cannot digest uncooked starch, but they can cope with most cooked ones such as rice, whole wheat bread, and macaroni. However, dogs do not receive much nourishment from these foods. - "Sugar causes worms" Sugar is quick source of energy for dogs, as it is far us. Worms are caused by worm larvae. A puppy may get worms from his mother, and an adult dog may get them from infected food or drink, from the saliva or feces of an infected dog, or from swallowing fleas and lice which act as hosts to tapeworm eggs- but never from sugar. - "Raw eggs improve dog's coat" A raw egg yolk from time to time enriches a dog's diet. Cooked eggs are an acceptable substitute for meat in an emergency. But the best coat conditioner is far, especially unsaturated fat, rich in vitamin E, such as linseed and wheat germ oil. The eggs reputation as a coat conditioner is probably due to the fact that yolk is mostly fat. - "Milk causes diarrhea in an adult dog" Milk is healthy for all dogs. A bowl of milk with a beaten egg yolk and a couple of pieces of whole wheat toast or dog biscuits is a standard supper dish in many kennels. There are various causes for diarrhea, including internal parasites, indigestion, a change of diet, food

poisoning, certain contagious diseases- and sometime, but not always, milk. Knowledge and concern are important in feeding a growing puppy whose nutrition is the foundation of his future health. But common sense is all you need to feed an adult dog correctly, as his own experience will help guide you most of the way.

Nutritional Content Of Commercial Dog Foods


Did you know that most food that is fed to dogs today has extremely low nutritional content? If you feed your dog commercial dog food, you may be slowly killing your dog. Perhaps you think this is a little dramatic? Think again. If humans are fed a diet of unhealthy foods, they probably won't show any adverse signs for quite some time. But fed over many years, people will become sluggish, sick, and eventually die from degenerative diseases much earlier than they would otherwise pass from this life. The same goes for dogs. All commercial dog food which is extruded (cooked) at very high temperatures cannot be anything but bad for our dogs, whose natural diet in the wild is mainly fresh, raw meat. Even after dogs became domesticated, and then kept as pets, for decades they were fed home cooked food and table scraps, before anyone thought of commercialising dog food and selling cans of mush, or pieces of highly questionable biscuit-looking food called "kibble". Dogs used to live longer than they do now. Examine baked and kibbled foods for the presence of burned spots on the biscuits. The presence of large numbers of burned biscuits indicates that the food has been cooked at such high temperatures that the nutritients are likely to be almost non-existent. On the other hand, if dry products are damp, soft or stale, it means that they have been improperly processed, become damp in transit, become damp during storage, or that they are old. Dry products that become damp quickly deteriorate from the action of mold and eventually bacteria. Sometimes the only indication that mold is beginning to attack a dry food is the musty odor smelled when a bag is opened. At other times it may be seen as a white, hairy beard or a bluish-green or black velvety coating over the food. Any food found to be moldy should be destroyed immediately and never fed to dogs. Does any of this sound like food you would eat yourself???

If not, then even though it's labelled as "dog food" and could possibly have some form of nutritional content (if you're lucky), why feed such substandard rubbish to your dog? It really can be harmful over the long term. Why else do you think so many dogs suffer from degenerative diseases like heart disease, cancer, kidney failure, and more? These diseases were previously unknown in companion animals. Now they're commonplace. And the increase in incidence of these degenerative diseases in dogs and other animals has occurred in direct proportion to the practise of giving pets raw food or table scraps, to giving them commercial pet food. The answer? Feed your dog a raw, or primarily raw, fresh food diet. The large part of the food should, of course, be meat. If you're not a fan of raw food, then by all means give your dog home cooked food, made from premium ingredients which you would use for your own food. Of course, you can give your dog all the fat and offcuts from the meat that you don't want. Dogs need some fat (unlike us!) And if you really need the convenience of a pre-prepared dog food, then go for a top quality dog food - NOT one of the commercial brands found on your supermarket, or even pet store shelves. Even many vets have no idea about correct animal nutrition, believe it or not, and promote commercial dog foods that are peddled to them as "premium" food, when they're nothing of the kind. How do you know what a superior quality dog food is? Check for both the ingredients and the method of cooking. The ingredients should be primarily meat - not meat byproducts, a small proportion only of grains of all types, and preferably some fresh vegetables, fruit or herbs. As for the cooking method - the lower the heat, the better. Don't go for anything that has been extruded (which is most kibble), or canned at high temperatures. If the method of cooking is not stated, then make further enquiries of the manufacturer, or go for one that does state the cooking method - freeze dried or baked are acceptable.

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Dog Food for the Older Dog What changes do you need to make to your dog feeding regime as your dog gets older? The changes you make to your dog feeding regime, and when you make them will vary depending on the age of your dog, and the breed of your dog. It is considered that the larger and giant breeds of dog age earlier than the smaller and toy breeds of dog. Your objective in managing the nutrition of the older dog is to enhance his quality of life, delay further ageing changes, and to extend his life whilst maintaining his optimal weight. You are also trying to slow down the onset of disease and improve immune function. Older dogs will generally be less active than younger dogs so as a rule will require a less energy dense dog food, unless of course the dog's appetite is reduced for some reason. Continuing to feed a dog the same amount of food with less exercise will inevitably result in obesity, a problem all too common in many dogs today. In the old dog obesity can be a bigger problem than in the young dog as there may also be concurrent arthritis and organ problems which will be made worse. A keen eye is needed to assess the energy needs of your dog as it ages, so be aware and switch brands if your dog's weight shows marked changes as it ages. For the older dog a good quality animal protein based on meat, fish eggs, milk or cheese is better than cereal protein. A balance needs to be struck between providing too much protein which may be a problem for dogs with renal failure (a common problem in older dogs), and providing too little. As ageing dogs tend to have less muscle and bone they will have less of a tissue protein reserve and need a certain level of protein in their diet to avoid a negative nitrogen balance. Your veterinarian is the best person to monitor your ageing dog's renal function and advise the appropriate level of protein in his diet. When your dog's protein intake is low due to inappetance, this can be increased by heating the food to increase palatability and release more aromas, and by feeding smaller more frequent meals and by supplementing with vitamins. Carbohydrates are mainly provided by cereals and legumes in the diet, and these are a cheap source of energy. Care should be taken with the sugar content of some of these foods Fats are essential in the diet to provide a vehicle for fat soluble vitamins, and are essential for the health of old dogs. However too much may result in obesity, so again moderation is the rule.

Fibre has a role too in the elderly dog as many are predisposed to constipation. Adding fibre in the form of wheat bran or cooked vegetables two or three times a week will help to keep your elderly dog regular! Most dog foods will have more than adequate levels of calcium and phosphorus for the older dog. There may be a case for reduced levels of phosphorus and salt in the diet. Some supplementation of zinc and vitamins may be helpful in the older dog, particularly the vitamin B complex. The main food types for the older dog are - dry, semi-moist or canned. Diet changes should be made slowly to prevent tummy upsets and diarrhoea. Be sure to have plenty of water available for your dog, particularly if fed a dried food, and also if kidney and liver disease is a problem. Reduced appetite in older dogs may be helped by feeding them 2 or more times per day with smaller portions so that they get their full daily requirement. There are many commercial senior dog food diets now available. It will pay you to thoroughly examine the different types to increase the life span and vitality of your older dog.


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Could A Homemade Diet Be Best for Your Dog?


A good formula for a homemade diet is one half cereal, rice, or kibbles, and one half meat, including its natural fat, with green or yellow vegetables added from time to time. Since they can be made to measure for each individual dog, these combinations would be ideal if they weren't to much bother. Aside from taking more time and trouble than the other methods, a homemade diet requires a sound knowledge of canine nutrition. Table scraps are definitely insufficient for modern pets who we want to thrive, not merely survive. They are often the direct cause of obesity and various allied skin disorders too. Dogs with unusually big appetites or with a tendency to obesity will keep their figures if you cut down on the starch and increase the vegetables, to the proportion of one meat, one fourth kibbles, and one fourth vegetables. Older dogs may need reduced protein to spare their kidneys the task of nitrogen elimination. Build your dogs meals around the foods that are highly recommended for dogs: Beef: (ground or chopped for puppies in chunks for adult dogs, raw or cooked. Dogs prefer their meat a little tough, and they need the fat found in cheaper cuts). Lamb and mutton Chicken Horse Meat Beef Hearts and Kidneys Beef Liver (no more than once a week, as too much or too often causes loose stools. Eggs, hard-boiled or scrambled (The yolk may be given raw, but not the white, which in its raw state destroys biotin, a useful vitamin in the dogs intestine). Rice, whole wheat, barley, oats, buckwheat While wheat biscuits or toast Carrots (cooked or raw, grated and mixed with his meal, or whole for chewing) String Beans, spinach (chopped or mashed) Cottage Cheese (excellent for weaning puppies) Unfermented natural cheese, such as Swiss and Edam Apples and Pears On the other hand, certain foods should be considered taboo: White commercial bread Cabbage (which causes flatulence and is difficult to digest) Potatoes (hard to digest and not very nourishing) Starchy Vegetables, such as dried beans Spicy dishes and sauces Uncooked egg white Processed cheese Pork (unless it is lean, well cooked, and served infrequently) Raw fish

Delicatessen meats Unboned chicken, rabbit and fish Cake and candy Alcoholic beverages Chocolate of any kind Which ever method you choose for feeding your dog, it is best to stick to it. Once he has become accustomed to a certain diet, he will be upset by any sudden change. The upset is apt to take the form of constipation if you change from prepared products to fresh ones, and diarrhea in the opposite case. If a change is needed, make it gradual by mixing the old with the new until his body adapts to the change.


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Tips For Making Your Own Homemade Dog Meals and Treats


Dog meals and snacks don't have to hard to make or take a lot of time. Many snacks can be grabbed straight out of your refrigerator and are much healthier than baked goods. However, there are a few things that I have noticed regarding many homemade dog food recipes that you should avoid doing. 1. Don't microwave your dog's food. Microwaving kills vitamins, minerals and nutrients. The radiation also alters the cell structure of the food. Scientific studies have shown that humans that eat microwaved foods have significant and disturbing changes in their blood cells. Microwaving has many serious side-effects, including altering the minerals in vegetables into cancerous free radicals. It's bad enough that we humans continue to use microwaves to cook our food... let's not subject our animals to it as well. 2. Many recipes that I've seen promote using beef/chicken bouillon cubes and/or canned beef/chicken broth. These products have very high and unhealthy sodium levels. Either use sodium reduced broths or better yet make your own. 3. Obviously, some sort of flour is needed to bind together baked dog biscuits. However, instead of using white flour, whole wheat flour and/or cornmeal in your recipes, substitute spelt flour instead. It's much more easily digestible for both humans and animals. Flour and cornmeal are hard for animals to digest and many are or can become allergic to these grains. 4. Don't feed your dog too many "baked" treats that contain flour and cornmeal. Opt for more natural, healthy, and uncooked treats (some recipes are listed below). Healthy Homemade Dog Food Recipes You can make up several days worth of dog food at one time or cook them up while you prepare your own supper. Here are a few recipes to try out: ***** Shepherd Pie 6 oz beef or chicken broth (low sodium or make your own) 1 pound ground beef, chicken or turkey 1 cup mashed potatoes 1/2 cup mixed vegetables (no onions or mushrooms)

Mix broth, meat and vegetables together. Grease casserole dish and pat mixture into dish. Top with potatoes. Bake at 300 degrees for 30 minutes. ***** Sometimes your dog may have a slightly upset stomach with possibly some diarrhea involved. The following recipe is a nice bland mixture that still tastes good and should help to solve your pup's tummy problems. 3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut up (either raw or cooked) 1 cup cooked brown rice 1 cup cooked carrots 1 cup non or low-fat cottage cheese Mix together and serve according to you’re dog’s size, weight and activity level. This recipe should be good for one large dog for 1 main meal or 2 smaller meals. If you desire, you can also add 1 tbsp of flax seed oil for added essential fatty acids. ***** Quick Dog Treats Dogs, like humans, like to have their snacks. The following two snacks are healthy and quick to prepare: ***** Frosty Cube Treats 1 large container plain yogurt (make sure it contains live acidophilus cultures and no sugar or artificial sweeteners) 1 cup ground carrots OR ground apples OR lightly cooked ground liver Mix together and fill ice-cube trays. Freeze. Pop one out for a treat when frozen. ***** Banana Mash 1/2 cup low fat cottage cheese 1 ripe banana, mashed 1 tbsp flax seed oil Mix together and serve for a nice, quick, healthy snack.





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