| Many people today are as concerned about their | | | | will not voluntarily release this information. Kudos to |
| dog's health as their own. They want their dogs to | | | | those companies who do release the information and |
| live long, healthy lives. They prefer to limit additives | | | | who have committed to using fish meal without |
| and chemical ingredients. They like to know what | | | | ethoxyquin. Dog foods confirmed to be |
| goes into their pets food and where it comes from. | | | | ethoxyquin-free include Orijen, Fromm, Flint River and |
| For these concerned owners, an holistic approach to | | | | TLC Whole Life Dog Food. |
| feeding their dog is very appealing. But is holistic dog | | | | Instead of these artificial preservatives you should |
| food even a reality? | | | | look for vitamin C or vitamin E as a preservative, |
| In fact, holistic dog food does exist, even in | | | | mixed tocopherols, citric acid, or the herb rosemary. |
| commercial form. A number of dog food | | | | Holistic foods will also avoid using generic fats such as |
| manufacturers today practice a more holistic | | | | "poultry fat" or "beef tallow." Generic ingredients in |
| approach to dog food formulation. Companies such as | | | | general are a bad idea when it comes to selecting |
| Castor & Pollux, Eagle Pack, Flint River Ranch, | | | | foods for your dog. You simply don't know what you |
| Wellness, and Newman's Own, to name a few, all | | | | might be feeding your pet. |
| have strong reputations for producing good products | | | | Holistic foods also provide whole meat or meat meal, |
| that have many human grade ingredients. You may | | | | such as whole chicken or chicken meal, instead of |
| not want to eat their food yourself, but it is good to | | | | meat by-products or digest. The terms "by-products" |
| know that your dog is eating a quality food. | | | | and "digest" have specific meanings in the agriculture |
| In the case of more holistic dog foods you'll typically | | | | industry and allow the manufacturer to include parts |
| find that the foods have several named protein | | | | of the animal that you would probably not be |
| sources within the first five ingredients. Some holistic | | | | comfortable feeding your dog. They may technically |
| dog foods may be grain-free (though this is not a | | | | meet protein and nutritional requirements but they |
| requirement). Dogs are carnivores and many people | | | | are not the kind of healthy nutrition that you look for |
| feel that it is better and more natural to feed them a | | | | in a holistic food. |
| diet that has less grain in it since they don't need it. | | | | Holistic foods do not contain artificial colors or |
| Dogs do typically thrive on protein so a holistic pet | | | | sweeteners, or sugars. Your dog doesn't need to |
| food should have higher protein percentages than the | | | | have corn syrup added to his food. Coloring added to |
| minimum prescribed by AAFCO. Even elderly dogs | | | | dog food is entirely aimed at the buyer, not the dog. |
| can eat higher levels of protein than were once | | | | A good, healthy food should be tempting enough for |
| believed, unless they have kidney problems. | | | | your dog. |
| When choosing a good holistic dog food you will also | | | | When looking for a good holistic dog food you should |
| want to stay away from foods that have heavy | | | | definitely read the label. Many holistic foods will have |
| concentrations of corn gluten. Corn gluten is a typical | | | | fewer ingredients than other commercial dog foods. |
| filler product in many dog foods. It is a protein but | | | | This is because they keep their formulation simpler |
| dogs cannot process it very well and most of it | | | | and they have fewer artificial chemicals added. If |
| passes through your dog and is deposited as waste. | | | | your dog should have an allergic reaction or does not |
| The same is true of wheat gluten. Rice protein | | | | do well on the food, this will make it easier for you |
| concentrate and soy protein are also undesirable. | | | | to identify something in the food that you should |
| There is also a problem because these grains have | | | | avoid in the future. |
| been used so widely in many dog foods that many | | | | A word about novel protein sources since they are |
| dogs are allergic to one or more of them now. | | | | so popular. Many people like to buy exotic proteins |
| A good holistic dog food will also not have | | | | for their dogs because some super premium dog |
| preservatives in it such as BHA, BTA or ethoxyquin. | | | | foods offer them - protein sources such as kangaroo |
| Ethoxyquin is used to make tires and is believed to | | | | meat or emu. There really is no need to buy these |
| cause health problems in dogs. Ethoxyquin is a hot | | | | expensive protein sources for your dog if he does |
| button issue with many people since it is typically | | | | not need them. If your dog is not allergic to more |
| used to preserve fish meal. It is usually added to the | | | | ordinary sources of protein you should consider |
| fish meal before it reaches the dog food | | | | yourself fortunate and try to feed them. If you feed |
| manufacturer so the company does not have to | | | | exotic proteins to your dog when it's not necessary, |
| include it on the food label. However, it is still in the | | | | if your dog ever does develop allergies to some |
| food, even in small amounts. The USDA has asked | | | | protein sources, you'll be much more limited as to |
| dog food manufacturers to voluntarily reduce the | | | | your options when you need them. |
| amount of ethoxyquin used in dog foods. Some of | | | | Whatever food you decide to feed your dog, be |
| the better food companies now try to source fish | | | | sure to read the label. Don't be fooled by pictures, |
| meal that is not preserved with ethoxyquin although | | | | claims made in advertising or even what works for |
| you may have to check the company web site or | | | | your neighbor. There are many good holistic foods |
| even inquire of the company to find out if they do | | | | available. Gather the information you need and make |
| have ethoxyquin in their fish meal. Some companies | | | | a good decision for your dog. |