| Every pet owner wants the best for their dog, | | | | Next, take a look at the percentage of a particular |
| especially when it comes to food and no one wants | | | | ingredient. There's no law that says a pet food |
| to feed their dog something that will damage their | | | | company has to list exact ingredient quantities, but |
| health. With all of the dog food brands out there | | | | they have to be listed in order from most to least, |
| claiming to offer the best in balanced nutrition, it can | | | | just like human food. The top five ingredients are |
| be hard to tell who's really telling the truth. Does the | | | | where we want to look. The first three should |
| food need to have a "natural" or "organic" label? Does | | | | include two or more named meats, not meat meal. |
| it need to include special ingredients or will regular | | | | Ideally, unless you're buying a food for allergic dogs, |
| commercial dog food fit the bill? Let's take a look at | | | | lamb shouldn't be the only protein source, either. Beef |
| the methods you need to use to choose the right | | | | is also not a preferred protein source, but shouldn't |
| food for your pet. | | | | rule out a dog food. Added animal fats, other than |
| Don't Skimp On Quality | | | | fish oil, aren't ideal, either. |
| It can be pretty tempting to choose the cheapest | | | | The first five ingredients may include grains, but they |
| dog food on the market. After all, to the human eye, | | | | should be specific grains, and the same one shouldn't |
| all that kibble looks pretty much the same. And we | | | | be used twice in the first five. So, while "brown rice |
| know that dogs don't really care about color or | | | | flour" is an acceptable ingredient, it loses points if it |
| shape. So, why shouldn't you pick the cheap food? | | | | appears along side "brewer's rice" in the top five. |
| It's not really a savings in the long run. Inexpensive | | | | Corn, either ground or whole grain, is usually a |
| dog food manufacturers tend to use a higher | | | | cheaper and lower quality grain than wheat, barley, or |
| percentage of fillers - grains and animal by products | | | | rice, and is less desirable. Wheat and soy are less |
| instead of meat. This means that your dogs aren't | | | | good, unless you already know your dog isn't allergic |
| really getting as much nutrition per volume. They'll eat | | | | to them. Extra salt should not be added, but doesn't |
| more, and are more likely to become fat, since fillers | | | | rule out a food completely. |
| offer calories, but not the same nutritive content. | | | | What To Look For In A Dog Food Brand |
| Plus, a poor quality diet can lead to health problems | | | | If these are the things you need to avoid in a dog |
| down the line - and we all know how costly it can be | | | | food, what should you be on the lookout for? |
| to take your dog to the vet. | | | | Organic meat sources are a plus, though regulation of |
| Identifying Quality Food | | | | what's considered organic in pet food is fairly loose. |
| So, we know that you need to look for a high quality | | | | Foods that have been endorsed by breed groups or |
| dog food that offers the nutrition your pet needs | | | | pet nutritionists are often a plus, as are foods that |
| without a lot of problematic fillers. But how do you | | | | are baked, rather than extruded. Dog food containing |
| find out which foods are really the best? There's | | | | vegetables (rather than grain sources) and fruit is |
| more to it than just buying the most expensive food, | | | | preferable to food that's mostly corn or other cheap |
| or picking a package that claims to be recommended | | | | grains. Ideally, animal sources should be hormone free |
| by vets. There are few certifications or rating boards | | | | and free of unnecessary antibiotics, and vegetables |
| out there for pet food. That means you need to | | | | should be organic or pesticide free. |
| look past the marketing and decide for yourself | | | | Barley is considered a better grain choice than others, |
| based on ingredients and production methods. | | | | as is oats. Flax seed oil and sunflower oil are also |
| What To Avoid | | | | good things to see in your dog's food. Specific animal |
| Fortunately, there are a few easy rules of thumb | | | | protein sources (chicken rather than poultry) are |
| you can use to determine the quality of a food. For | | | | good, too. However, remember that "chicken" is the |
| instance, all ingredients listed as "by-products" | | | | same as "chicken meal", though "chicken" would be |
| decrease the quality of a food. So do ingredients that | | | | different from "lamb". Glucosamine and chondroitin |
| don't have a specific source. "Meat" or "poultry" meals | | | | are desirable additives, as well. |
| are lower quality pet food ingredients than named | | | | When it comes to your dog's food, don't rely on |
| sources like turkey, chicken, beef or lamb. Generic | | | | someone else to tell you what to get. Take the time |
| stocks and broths are also indicators that the | | | | to look through the ingredients and see what pet |
| ingredients might be low in quality in this food. | | | | food is really made of. Only by being an informed |
| Preservatives can decrease the quality of a food, as | | | | consumer can you get top quality pet food and keep |
| well, and can cause allergic reactions in some dogs. | | | | your dog in great condition for years to come. Good |
| BHA, BHT and ethoxyquin are the most common | | | | food is what it takes to get a happy, healthy pet. |
| ones used in dog foods. Artificial colors can have | | | | Make sure you put in the effort to find it. |
| similar problems, and should usually be avoided. | | | | |