How To Choose Healthy Dog Food For Your Pet

Share this post :

Is healthy dog food a myth? You’ve probably wondered, since hearing about the recent dog food recalls. Pet lovers like you fear that their dogs will suffer like so many others that ate food containing dangerous ingredients - wheat gluten and a product used in the production of plastics.

If you’re like other dog owners, you’re taking a much closer look at those dog food labels. They claim to offer the top quality, balanced diet for your pet, but how can you know if it’s true? How do you guarantee that your dog eats only healthy food? Is it even possible to get healthy dog food from manufacturers now?

It has become tougher to find inexpensive healthy dog food. They use high levels of preservatives and take a lot of processing that destroys nutrients. Many use filler to make up the quantity but it does nothing for quality. The most common fillers are wheat and corn. Dogs don’t need corn. In fact, it can be slow to digest, giving your dog no nutrients whatsoever.

Corn and wheat can also trigger allergies in some dogs. Any grain product should include the entire grain so your dog gets all the benefits including fiber, vitamins and minerals. Look for rolled oats, barley, millet and brown rice as these will provide the best nutritional value.

When you read the dog food label, look for those with the best ingredient ratio, which is 40% meat, 50% vegetables and 10% grains. The items are listed in order of quantity. You’ll want to make sure meat is at the top of the list.

Watch out for meat by-products as this can include indigestible parts of the animals such as feet and beaks. Also, be aware of manufacturers who list meat as the main product, and then follow it with meat by-products. This alters the nutritional ratio significantly.

Did you know that Vitamins A and B make good preservatives? Look for labels and slipcovers that list these instead of the cancer-causing chemical preservatives BHA, BHT and Ethoxyquin.

Choose a good quality, reputable dog food rather than economy brands as the premium food will contain ingredients of higher nutritional value.

Keep in mind that your dog might benefit more from a specific type of dog food, rather than a one-for-all brand. While both types of food offer value, some dogs have additional needs. Factors include your breed’s inherited health risks, your dog’s activity levels and any other underlying conditions that require certain dog food nutrients.

If you want to ensure your dog receives only healthy dog food, you can make it yourself. There are many recipes available online and in dog recipe books. Run an Internet search and you’re sure to find a wealth of choices. Look for dog-related forums. People love to go online and chat about their favorite subject - their pets - and share recipes.

Knowing how to read dog food labels will help you to identify the best product for your pet, but you can’t beat homemade for your peace of mind and to provide the best nutritional and healthy dog food to your beloved best friend.

Sylvia Dickens is an award-winning journalist who is also a lifelong dog owner. You can read more dog training tips at http://ebook-haven.com/dogtraining.htm . Don’t forget to pick up your free copy of her latest booklet, “Unveiling the Myths & Mysteries of Owning a Puppy” at http://ebook-haven.com/PuppyGuide1.php

Read More

Pet Health Tips From a Professional Pet Sitter

By Mary Varricchio

As a professional pet sitter I have seen the most curious things from some of the pets I have cared for from utter joy & excitement to unbelievable sadness. The joy when I am on the ground with them playing and they were not quite sure what I was doing on their level. The sadness and pain they showed me to let me know they were at the end of their journey just by the look in their eye. I have traveled down many roads with a lot of these pets in 8 years and have learned so much from them. I follow all these tips while I am pet sitting and with my own pets.

Cleaning water and food dishes at each meal is important. For dogs, scooping up the poop, and then, disposing of the waste responsibly, litter boxes should be scooped daily depending on the number of litter boxes and cats. Litter box lids are sprayed down daily and scoops are cleaned, as well. Generally speaking litter boxes are washed out weekly and new litter is added. Liners should be replaced weekly.

Grooming or bathing is dependent upon the breed and the animal, of course. All pets love massages and combing. Whether bringing to the groomer or bathing yourself, knowing your pets likes, dislikes, temperament, coat texture and breed specifications should allow you to set up a schedule of regular grooming or bathing. I have found that if you make this experience a positive one they will keep on coming to you for their bathing needs. Bathing gives you the opportunity for a nice and warm massage which they will never forget for future endeavors. I have kept treats around just to let them know that they are doing so well of course, in moderation.

Since, most of our pets are ground level be sure to keep the areas free from objects that they can swallow, chew or tear apart. This is their area so be mindful of the things that are on the usually lower levels of your home. Act like there is a child in the house always, and this will ensure your pets safety. I am always checking around the house for items that are on their level and could potentially harm them.

Exercise is the most important part of a relationship with our dogs, even just up the block. When walking your dog leashes and collars should of proper fitting for your pet and secured correctly for the dog walk. Collars must be snug and you should be able to put one finger underneath but not too loose which will cause many unpleasant situations for the pet sitter, the owner and most importantly the pet. Make sure their identification tags are up-to-date and attached to their collars.

Playtime with a ball or Frisbee or whatever their favorite toy is should be mandatory for keeping them and you young at heart. Playing with the fly fishing rod with your kitties keeps their minds occupied and releases some energy. Try getting down on the floor with them if you have never done this before and you will be surprised at their reactions. They love this form of play. Bow down with your rump in the air like they do when they are in the play mode and they will surely go crazy with joy (For Dogs - never tried with cats). TLC time is important as well, as most pets love this attention. Our pets have such few requirements from us and enrich us beyond all forms of measurement.

In conclusion, all these ideas are from being with many different types of pets over the years and caring for them like they were my own. Just implementing some kind of scheduling will ensure some great and hopefully more time with our loved ones. I have always been a pet lover and will continue to provide all pet related services to my clients and their pets.

Mary Varricchio has been a professional pet sitter for over 8 years and an owner for over 30 years. I have taken care of animals that are furry, scaled and feathered and have loved every minute of my time with them. I am a member of Pet Sitters Association and to which I have insurance through. I have many Pescapades or pet stories to tell you which, some will inspire and some will make you sad and everything in between.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mary_Varricchio

Read More

Pet Health And What You Feed Them

 

by: Lori Matthews

Since most Americans are more concerned about our health than we’ve ever been, we should have equal concern for our pets … especially regarding the ingredients in their food. In theory, we would want the ingredients in our pets’ food to be acceptable for human consumption. If byproducts are no longer tolerated in our food, why should they be tolerated in our pets’ food? We’re also starting to realize that our pets need daily supplements just like we do, in order to take care of their bodies for the inevitable woes of aging. In the span of an animal’s life, an early start at good health ensures less vulnerability to degenerative diseases, joints that are less likely to creak with pain and a healthier heart. We love our pets and we want them to live with us for as long as possible.

The very first thing we usually encounter as new pet owners is the issue of food. What should we snatch off the shelves and what should we run away from? Introducing a young animal to the world of food should be a very delicate and sensitive process. We must monitor closely how much food we give our new pet versus how much they are eating. We should be stringent about how quickly we increase the amount of food because we always run the risk of overfeeding.

It’s also important to be weary of dyes, chemicals, artificial preservatives as much as possible. For example, BHA … one of the most common synthetic antioxidant preservatives mainly used to prevent food discoloration and rancidity … has been found in scientific studies to cause stomach cancer in lab rats at certain doses. In lesser doses, the preservative doesn’t have a cancerous effect but there is no telling what BHA can do to the body in small doses over long periods of time.

Protein is crucial in a pet’s natural development. Look for foods with whole ingredients such as meat, eggs, fish and dairy rather than byproducts. Unbleached rice is also one of the most digestible carbohydrates and supplies a wonderful source of energy for your pet. Corn and wheat, on the other hand, are much harder to digest. It’s also a really good idea to look for antioxidants. In recent years, we have become much more conscious of our antioxidant intake, so why shouldn’t we have the same attitude towards our pets? Free radicals also wage war on their bodies so let’s fight off those rascals so that we can all live longer together!

Treats can be used to enhance the human-animal bond and to reward pets on good deeds and behavior. They’re a fantastic training tool. Our whole philosophy on giving treats is that if we’re going to reward our pets, why not reward their taste buds, their minds and their bodies? The idea is to bestow treats with a purpose, not just a biscuit stuffed with artificial flavor and vacant calories. Did you know that there are edible dog bones out there made with so called “edible” plastic? The companies claim this is perfectly safe. Best believe there are plenty of bones out there with other questionable ingredients.

When you are feeding premium pet food, it only makes sense to feed wholesome, premium treats and bones.

About the Author:
Lori Matthews studies health, nutrition and wellness. Enjoys writing articles on health for both people and pets. Please visit quality premium dog food for more information.

Read More