Dec
18
Filed Under (Dog Food Healthy Tips) by admin
John Nolan asked:


Copyright (c) 2008 John Nolan

With so much choice available in supermarkets, there is growing concern over what the best dog food is. Dog owners want to find a healthy option as well as saving money on their dog food. You may spend a lot of time researching the best deals, but do you ever think about what the standards are for them that is sold in this country?

Like anything else, they are regulated by legislation in most countries throughout the world. For example, in the USA all manufacturers must comply with the regulations of the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act. The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) is careful to monitor manufacturing standards including the ingredients that go into all brands. In the UK, and some countries of Europe, the European Pet Food Industry Federation (FEDIAF) regulated all pet food. This includes guidelines on the manufacture of the food, its labeling and its advertising.

Whilst the ingredients are monitored, this does not mean that what being sold in the United States is monitored specifically on its nutritional value to our beloved pets. In fact many manufacturers are even able to add chemicals to their food which are known to contribute negatively to an animal’s health. Not only this, but different ages of animal suit different types of food. Advertising campaigns from the major manufacturers can aim their food at the wrong age of dog, meaning that your pet may not be getting the nutrition that it really needs.

Veterinary research shows that many ingredients of pet food, both in the US and in Europe, can be harmful to animals and call for a strengthening of standards to control the inclusion of additives. Until this is regulated, what can you do to ensure the health of your dog and to make sure that what you feed him is what he needs?

When purchasing them, always be sure to read the label carefully. This will include a list of ingredients, where the top food ingredients will be listed. If you notice that cereal is top of the list this means that what you are buying is mainly made up of ground cereals which are not great for nutritional value. You may also notice several chemicals on the ingredients list, so be wary if there are a large amount or do some research into the effects of these chemicals.

You can also do some research on the internet, reading about the development and manufacture of your favorite brands. Note if they were tested on other animals, what the results were and read any advice about safety to your dog.

Once you have carefully checked the available information you can also ask your vet any specific questions that you are still unsure of. Those this may take a little time, it is extremely important to ensure that your pet lives healthily for as many years as possible. Be diligent when it comes to shopping for dog food and you will soon learn what is best for your pet.



Ramon
Oct
06
Filed Under (Dog Food Healthy Tips) by admin
dog food
Richard G M Taylor asked:


Dog owners are faced with a difficult choice when comes to the right food for their dog. Many owners simply do not know what makes a good dog food and assume that the higher priced brand must be better. Others will take the opposite view and see no reason to spend extra on a premium brand dog food. Of course we are not just talking about canned dog food. Dogs tend to prefer the moist, juicy food contained in a can but it is important for them to also to chew on hard crunchy dog food such as dry kibble and dog biscuits. Obviously the nutrition is important and that will come mostly from the choice of canned dog food but a dog’s dental health is also important and therefore their diet should contain a balance. Mixing canned dog food with dry kibble or biscuits may be the answer if your dog does not like to eat the dry food separately.

Good quality dog food should contain top quality nutritional ingredients and should offer a balanced diet of high protein such as fresh meat or meats and unprocessed grains, vegetables and fruits. It should contain natural preservatives and be low on fillers such as corn, soy, brewer’s rice and wheat bran.

In general terms, you get what you pay for. However, that is not always true and dog owners should learn about the best ingredients and read the label to ensure that those ingredients are there. You will find at the lower end of the price range, the dog food is low on nutrients and will recommend say 6 measures per day instead of maybe 2 or 3 measures of good quality premium priced food. So you can see that there can be a false economy in buying the cheaper food, most of which will pass straight through the dog and leaving the poor animal hungry for more. So the message here is read the label for ingredients and feeding instructions.

Finally, it is important to monitor your dog’s health. As with humans, healthy eating leads to good health. Eating junk food will cause obesity and other health problems. Look at your dogs teeth which can usually give an indication of poor diet. Regular check ups with your local vet will also point to any dietary problems.



Wendy