Selecting The Best Dry Dog Food For A Healthy Pet | Print |  E-mail
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Written by Jolie Mitchel   
Thursday, 10 April 2008
Those of us who are dog owners were quite alarmed recently by the need for a mass recall of pet food. When something like this occurs, the best advice is probably to contact your vet. Another good idea is to begin a search on the Internet to see what the contents of various products are, to what extent these products are tested, and any other information that helps you choose a brand that is best for your pet.
by JolieMitchel


Those of us who are dog owners were quite alarmed recently by the need for a mass recall of pet food. When something like this occurs, the best advice is probably to contact your vet. Another good idea is to begin a search on the Internet to see what the contents of various products are, to what extent these products are tested, and any other information that helps you choose a brand that is best for your pet.

Many people are shocked to see some of the ingredients in the dog food they already feed their pets. The pet food industry is basically self-regulated and their only requirement is to adhere to the Labeling Act. This means that the food must show the name and address of the company that produces it, whether the product is for dogs or cats, the weight of the food, and the guaranteed analysis.

The enthusiasm shown by your dog towards its meal does not necessarily mean the meal is a healthy one. Ingredients such as wheat, sugar, soy and gluten as well as poultry by-products can actually be harmful to you pet and you'll want to eliminate foods containing these ingredients from your pet's diet to the greatest degree possible.

Look for a product that is field tested by the company which produces it. This is likely to be a superior product in terms of being beneficial to you pet's health. Bear in mind that the tests may be limited to the company's premier product so if you are considering a lesser grade product compare labels.

When you are looking at a dog food label, some of the ingredients to look for are: Turkey meal, Fish meal, Human Grade Ingredients Chicken meal, Lamb meal, Rice, Potatoes, Vegetables, and Sunflower oil. Vitamins and fatty acids are also good ingredients to have in dog food. Some of these include Vitamin E and Omega 3 and 6. These fatty acids ensure a healthy skin and coat for your dog.

Besides searching the Internet for comparisons of ingredients you can also search for results of tests and analyses and consumer reviews. This information can be very helpful in assisting you in choosing the best possible product for your pet.

Organic foods have been with us for some time and are steadily gaining in popularity. Now organic pet foods have begun to make an appearance on the shelves. The next time you are in the pet food aisle of your supermarket, look for the words "Natural" on the box or bag. Then read the label to check if the product is indeed organic or of a superior grade.

While it can be a little more expensive and somewhat time consuming, you can always make your own pet food. In doing so you have complete control over what goes into your pet's meal. Of course we're not talking about table scraps here but a combination of ingredients such as beef or beef broth, dairy products, vegetable oil, cornmeal or flour, or the ingredients mentioned previously. Your best friend will probably agree that it is worth the effort!

About the Author:

To find out more about dog food facts please visit ThePoochPlace.com and learn the secrets about homemade dog food recipe.



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