| Organic foods, whether it is for humans or pets, is | | | | much more relaxed regulations in order to be |
| talked about everywhere. Organic gardening, organic | | | | considered "legal". Looking for the Organic symbols |
| ingredients, organically grown - why such the hype | | | | mentioned above is one great way to feel confident |
| these days and is the higher price of organic foods | | | | that the food is regulated and safe. These Organic |
| really justified? Should I consider organic pet food for | | | | regulatory bodies are an external layer of protection |
| my dog? Is store-bought, commercial dog food really | | | | that ensures the dog food is safe and is being |
| that bad? This article starts to shed some light on | | | | processed to a higher set of standards. Seeing these |
| these questions and shares information that is very | | | | symbols on the organic dog food packaging tells you |
| important to your dog's health. | | | | someone is holding this dog food to a higher standard |
| What is Organic? | | | | than our government. |
| The government defines organic as all organic food | | | | Understanding the dog food label ingredients can be |
| production and processing is monitored by a strict set | | | | tricky at best. Did you know that "Lamb & Rice |
| of rules and adheres to a minimum set of guidelines. | | | | Dog Food" and "Lamb & Rice Dinner for Dogs" |
| This applies to both human and pet food. To be sure | | | | are two completely different ingredient lists and very |
| the pet food you choose is really organic check the | | | | distinctive applicable regulations pertaining to their |
| label. Look for some of these of symbols - Organic | | | | ingredients and processing standards? You may have |
| Food Federation, Certified Organic Ingredients, and in | | | | already considered going to the "Premium or Ultra or |
| the UK, The Soil Association. If you see these | | | | Gourmet" offerings of your favorite commercially |
| symbols you can be assured the processing and | | | | purchased dog food. Well these can be misleading as |
| manufacturing of the dog food is tightly controlled | | | | well since the legal requirements for manufacturing |
| and is held to a higher standard than commercially | | | | these offerings are no different than what is |
| processed dog food. | | | | governed by the lower pet food offerings. Mostly |
| Unfortunately, standard (non-organic) commercially | | | | you are being tricked by clever marketing and |
| manufactured pet food is not held to these higher | | | | packaging. |
| standards. Ever wonder what goes into a | | | | In Conclusion |
| "by-product" which can be seen on many ingredient | | | | Do not be fooled by marketing or packaging or |
| lists of commercially processed dog foods. Typically | | | | clever catch-phrases on the commercially branded |
| by-products are made up of animal parts that are not | | | | dog foods. Be sure to look for the Organic Food |
| fit for human consumption, such as bones, organs, | | | | symbols mentioned above, these are your only |
| blood, fatty tissues and intestines. It's all the leftover | | | | insurance that a higher level of standards has been |
| parts processed into what is called dog food - | | | | imposed on the manufacturing and processing of the |
| meaning the commercially processed dog food you | | | | dog food. If you are wondering why the price of the |
| may be buying at the grocery store. Do you really | | | | organic dog food is higher than store bought dog |
| want to be feeding these leftover parts to your | | | | food, besides a higher level quality of ingredients, |
| dog? | | | | there is also a governing body watching over the |
| Regulatory Requirements | | | | processing of the food. They are your seal of |
| Pet food is not regulated under the same restrictions | | | | approval that the food your dog is eating is safe and |
| as people food. Commercial brand dog foods have | | | | nutritious. Isn't your dog worth it? |