Every dog is in individual. Each food is individual. The ingredients, the way it’s processed, the plant where it’s processed – all play a role in food’s quality. One dog might do well on one food, but another dog might need a different food. You need to try different foods to see what works best for your dog.
Positive signs to watch for:
– Shiny, healthy hair
– Clear eyes
– No itching or flakiness
– Firm and consistent stools
– Pink gums and clean teeth
Negative signs to watch for:
– Dry, brittle hair
– Red rimmed eyes
– Itching
– Flakiness
– Loose stools
– Red gums with tarter on teeth
Good food, which I believe is a raw or cooked diet, will eliminate allergies, keep a good weight, create energy, produce a beautiful coat and potentially prolong life, with less vet visits.
Kibble is a billion dollar industry and was created for the ease of humans, not the health of hounds. Most kibble companies care more about their bottom line than the health of the dogs who eat their food. You’ve seen the recalls, you’ve heard of the deaths from contaminated products. You must be the best advocate for your pets at all times. If you must feed kibble, buy from a company you trust. Buy from a pet store, not a grocery store. Read labels, ask question, do your research. Grain-free kibble is usually best. You want named meats as the first few ingredients on the label.
Raw and cooked feeding requires some knowledge and attention, particularly in the initial stages. Once you’ve worked out a food plan which does well by your dog and you can handle, then feeding your dog raw or cooked food consisting of proteins and fats, with minimal carbohydrates is an excellent way to feed.
An overweight or unhealthy dog will leave you sooner than later. You can control the amount of food he consumes and the quality of food, unless he’s been trained to open the refrigerator.
Reading Dog Food Labels
Not all foods are created equal. Labels, and the first ingredients listed, tell you a lot about food quality. Dogs don’t need a long list of ingredients. As opportunist carnivores, high quality proteins are most important, then good fats and a few digestible carbohydrates.
WORST
By-products contain parts of meat which are less digestible, and so are of lesser quality.
The word ‘Meat’ can mean slaughter house waste. Know the protein.
Corn and soy are cheap fillers and not very digestible.
Artificial coloring is for you, not your dog.
Chemical preservatives like BHA, BHT, ethoxiquin can be deadly.
High sodium, sugars, texture stabilizers (propyl glygates, glycols) are unnecessary.
BETTER
Dogs need meat. The first ingredient should list the protein source. If the second and third ingredients are protein sources, that’s even better. Chicken, turkey and lamb meal are meats, but weighed after moisture is removed. This makes for a more concentrated meat source.
Grains are not necessarily needed, if other sources of carbohydrates are listed. Kibble without grain can work for young and active dogs, with higher protein percentages. If grains are listed, look for digestible whole grains, not wheat and corn.
BEST
Meat. Good quality. Lots of it. Organic. If a label says Chicken, Turkey, Salmon, Lamb – this means the meat is clean, non-rendered muscle tissue, weighed before moisture is extracted.
Raw feeding or cooked meals can be very beneficial for dogs. Particularly ones with allergies or other medical issues.
For more information and links about nutrition and dogs, go to LEARN-FOOD.