| It is often confusing when you go to buy dog food | | | | fillers in each kibble. Avoid dog foods that list animal |
| to try to identify what is important on the label and | | | | or meat by-products as the main ingredients as these |
| why some foods are priced so much higher or so | | | | have almost no nutritional value for the dog. |
| much lower than the rest. It is important to buy a | | | | Since there is almost no way to know how much of |
| good quality food that meets your dog's needs, but | | | | the original ingredient is in the final result the |
| the quality of the food is not always guaranteed by | | | | information on the ingredient label is not as useful as |
| the price. Many of the very high priced dog foods or | | | | it may seem. The better information that is provided |
| "gourmet" foods are no more nutritionally balanced | | | | on the label is the actual analysis of the feed, which |
| than the premium foods offered by large or small | | | | is based on the final product and its actual |
| dog food companies. Typically the very low priced | | | | breakdown. |
| dog foods should be avoided as they are largely | | | | The analysis will list the crude protein, carbohydrates, |
| made up of filler type ingredients and little protein and | | | | fat, vitamins and minerals. Generally a dog should |
| very little nutritional value. | | | | have between 21 and 26% protein in the diet |
| What's On The Label? | | | | depending on their age and level of activity. The |
| The ingredient portion of the label must list all the | | | | more active a dog is the more protein they will need |
| food items and additives that are contained in the | | | | to sustain energy levels. Puppies and senior dogs |
| food. In most developed countries the items in dog | | | | should not be fed high protein diets as it can cause |
| food are controlled by a federal agency to ensure | | | | problems in puppies with bone growth and may |
| they are appropriate for consumption and are not a | | | | cause excessive weight gain in older, more sedate |
| danger to the animals. The substances in dog food | | | | dogs. |
| must by generally recognized as safe, or GRAS. No | | | | How much to feed? |
| diseased meat, improperly processed meat or | | | | If you are feeding a good quality premium dry dog |
| vegetable material or other items may be used in the | | | | food it is important to follow the feeding |
| food. | | | | recommendations. Poor quality foods will have you |
| The items listed on the ingredient portion are listed | | | | feed more and will lead to increased mess to clean |
| by natural weight at time of processing, starting with | | | | up. Premium dry foods usually are fed by current |
| the heaviest item and working down. That means | | | | body weight of the dog as well as the growth stage |
| that the meat is weighed in its moist, natural state | | | | of the dog. Be sure to feed the correct food for the |
| just like the soy meal or ground wheat will be listed in | | | | correct growth stage to optimize the benefits to the |
| their natural dry state on the ingredient list. Since | | | | dog. |
| processing removes most of the water, especially in | | | | If you are in doubt about the correct feeding |
| dry food, the first ingredient on the list may not be | | | | amounts or are concerned that your dog may be |
| the predominant ingredient in the final dry kibble. In | | | | gaining or losing weight due to the food immediately |
| reality most dry foods will list beef, chicken or meat | | | | seek the advice of your vet. Often rapid weight loss |
| as the first ingredient but on full analysis of the final | | | | or gain has nothing to do with the food but may be |
| dry ingredient there will be far more of the wheat | | | | a serious health concern or even a genetic condition. |