| The food you are feeding your dog can have a | | | | prescription diets for various health issues. If your |
| major influence on his or her alertness, agility, energy | | | | veterinarian has recommended your dog be on a |
| level, and overall vitality and longevity. However, | | | | prescription diet, you need to discuss any concerns |
| finding nutritional information you can trust is not | | | | you may have regarding the ingredients. |
| easy. Veterinarians, for the most part, are not | | | | What you must ABSOLUTELY AVOID in Your Dog |
| required to take nutrition classes in school, except for | | | | Food: |
| the most elementary ones on animal nutrition. Also, | | | | There are 3 ingredients you "MUST AVOID in your |
| many popular commercial manufacturers provide | | | | dog's food, as well as your own food! They are listed |
| veterinary schools with their food, along with their | | | | on the package's label. Some very toxic chemical |
| own nutritional studies so vets become partial to | | | | preservatives are quite common in our breakfast |
| them. And, unfortunately, these are not always the | | | | cereal and in most "Premium Dog Food". Make certain |
| best or healthiest foods for your dog. | | | | you do not ever feed them to your dog or eat them |
| INGREDIENTS | | | | yourself! |
| Listed below are several ingredients you must avoid | | | | Here are the top three preservatives that you MUST |
| describing what affect they can have on your dog. | | | | avoid in your dog food: |
| CORN - is difficult to digest and a great many dogs | | | | 1. Ethoxyquin - a preservative that has been linked to |
| are allergic to it. There are certain commercial dog | | | | kidney and bladder cancer, and an increased incidence |
| food manufacturers that have been defending their | | | | of stomach tumors. The Department of Agriculture |
| use of corn, claiming it's a good source of | | | | has itlisted as a pesticide. It has been observed to |
| carbohydrates for dogs. But, what they have failed | | | | cause auto-immune response in some pets, and |
| to acknowledge is that corn metabolizes in dogs like | | | | promoted kidney, stomach, bladder, and colon cancer. |
| sugar metabolizes in humans. | | | | 2&3. BHA/BHT - BHA (butylated hydroxyanisole) and |
| If you feed your dog a diet based in corn, it can be | | | | BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene) are preservatives |
| compared to feeding your child a diet that's made up | | | | that are used to preserve fats in commercial dog |
| primarily of corn syrup. Your child will likely go through | | | | food. However, a considerable number of studies |
| spurts of energy first and then deep crashes, spells | | | | have linked them to several varieties of |
| of hyperactivity, distraction and lack of attention, and | | | | cancer...including stomach, bladder and thyroid cancer. |
| generally will not be very healthy. This too applies to | | | | And, they are also suspected of causing liver and |
| dogs that are on a corn-based diet. | | | | kidney dysfunction. |
| Additionally, corn may block your dog's natural ability | | | | 2. BHA - Causes squamous-cell carcinomas in rats and |
| to get serotonin into his or her brain. Serotonin is an | | | | hamsters, as well as enhanced stomach and urinary |
| important chemical that reduces stress and anxiety. | | | | bladder carcinogenesis. |
| There have been recent studies suggesting that low | | | | 3. BHT - Promotes urinary bladder cancer, and |
| serotonin levels can lead to impulsiveness, aggression | | | | suspected to increase thyroid cancer. |
| and other serious behavioral problems. | | | | If You Decide To Make Changes To Your Dog's Diet: |
| Corn can also act as an artificial stool hardener. One | | | | After you've read your ingredient label and have |
| of the quickest ways to tell that your dog is sick is | | | | decided to make a change, keep in mind that any |
| the consistency of his or her stools. If the ingredients | | | | diet change "MUST" be gradual!!! |
| in your dog's food are falsely making the stools firm, | | | | Your dog's digestive system will require some to time |
| you may delay seeking important medical treatment | | | | to adjust to the new food. If you change your dog's |
| for your dog. | | | | diet too quickly you may see various differences |
| If you're not sure whether you're feeding your dog a | | | | such as; vomiting, loose stools, diarrhea, refusal to |
| corn-based food, read the ingredients label and look | | | | eat or other digestive problems. |
| for corn, corn gluten, corn meal and corn syrup. If | | | | Basically, you should start feeding your dog one |
| any of these ingredients are there, then they are | | | | quarter of the new food with three quarters of the |
| most likely some of the first ingredients listed. | | | | old food. Do this for a few days, or until your dog's |
| Beware! You can really be fooled if you think you are | | | | stool is firm. Then increase the ratio to a fifty, fifty |
| feeding your dog a healthy "Lamb & Rice" or a | | | | mixture of both foods. And then after a few more |
| wholesome "Chicken & Rice" diet...it could still have | | | | days,t increase the ratio to three quarters new and |
| corn as one of its primary ingredients. So be sure to | | | | one quarter old, and then finally switch to a full one |
| check your label! | | | | hundred per cent new food. |
| Some dog food manufacturers also produce | | | | |