When you think of healthy dog food, you think of something that will taste good and will give your dog all the nutrients he needs. There are a lot of dog foods out there with all sorts of ingredients, some of which might not be all that healthy for them. Below is a look at some of the ingredients that might be in your dog’s food and what to look for to make sure you are giving him the best food possible.
The first thing that is listed as common ingredients is meat. Dogs get their nutrition from this but the problem is that it also is a high source of fats. Some breeds are actually advised to avoid these high fat meats.
The next common ingredient is starch. Many dog foods do not contain enough fiber to help their digestive systems work properly. Adding fiber to their diet can help them lose weight, keep their digestive systems in good shape and make them healthier.
Meat and corn by products are not good for dogs. They should only be fed as treats and your dog will enjoy them. Another mistake that many owners make is to feed them an over amount of protein. If they eat too much then they are at risk for getting a muscle wasting disease called muscle atrophy.
It is important to look for items on the label of your dog food that are based upon whole grains. The reason for this is that dogs can only get the benefits of the whole grain if they are eating the whole grain first. Most dog foods are designed to keep the dog satisfied for longer periods of time by providing him what he wants. Whole grains provide a change of pace that your dog will enjoy.
It is also important to feed your dog what he needs, not what he wants. Giving your dog what he really needs is important because it will give him more energy and make him better behaved. Be sure to go by the quantities that are listed on the container or on the manufacturer’s website and see what he needs.
Many people also assume that all dog foods sold in a pet food store are created the same. While this is true of the major brands, there are still plenty of other products available. It is best to learn what is common with the types of foods that are sold in your area and to compare what is being offered to your dog.
Though meats and grain products can be given to your dog as treats, they should never be the main part of his diet. Too much protein can cause him to gain weight. He may also suffer digestive problems because of the excessive amount of fats in his food.
If you have not noticed already, there are now more products that are labeled as “organic”natural.” This is not necessarily a bad thing. However, it is important to realize that the words “organic”natural” should not be confused with the word “healthy.”
In many cases the natural ingredients used to create these products are not always completely natural. While some companies want you to believe that the main ingredient in their organic dog food is oats, the fact is that sometimes it is corn meal. Corn meal, for example, is more of a filler than anything else.
As with any diet recommendations, consider the labels when making this choice. If the only difference between the two choices is the word “organic”natural” then the word has no bearing on the quality of the food. Only the main ingredient matters, and the best natural products should be listed on the label along with the name of the main ingredient.
The bottom line is that healthy is good, especially for your dog. No matter what the type of diet you are giving your dog be sure to check with the American Association of Feed Control to see what the safe amounts are. If you are feeding your dog high quality healthy dog food, he is sure to love you for it.
