| people today are as concerned about their | | | | companies will not voluntarily release this information. |
| dog’s health as their own. They want their | | | | Kudos to those companies who do release the |
| dogs to live long, healthy lives. They prefer to limit | | | | information and who have committed to using fish |
| additives and chemical ingredients. They like to know | | | | meal without ethoxyquin. Dog foods confirmed to be |
| what goes into their dog’s food and where it | | | | ethoxyquin-free include Orijen, Fromm, Flint River and |
| comes from. For these concerned owners, an holistic | | | | TLC Whole Life Dog Food. |
| approach to feeding their dog is very appealing. But is | | | | Instead of these artificial preservatives you should |
| holistic dog 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 |
| approach to dog food formulation. Companies such as | | | | tallow.” Generic ingredients in general are a |
| Castor & Pollux, Eagle Pack, Flint River Ranch, | | | | bad idea when it comes to selecting foods for your |
| Wellness, and Newman’s Own, to name a | | | | dog. You simply don’t know what you might |
| few, all have strong reputations for producing good | | | | be feeding your pet. |
| products that have many human grade ingredients. | | | | Holistic foods also provide whole meat or meat meal, |
| You may not want to eat their food yourself, but it | | | | such as whole chicken or chicken meal, instead of |
| is good to know that your dog is eating a quality | | | | meat by-products or digest. The terms |
| food. | | | | “by-products” and |
| In the case of more holistic dog foods you’ll | | | | “digest” have specific meanings in the |
| typically find that the foods have several named | | | | agriculture industry and allow the manufacturer to |
| protein sources within the first five ingredients. Some | | | | include parts of the animal that you would probably |
| holistic dog foods may be grain-free (though this is | | | | not be comfortable feeding your dog. They may |
| not a requirement). Dogs are carnivores and many | | | | technically meet protein and nutritional requirements |
| people feel that it is better and more natural to feed | | | | but they are not the kind of healthy nutrition that |
| them a diet that has less grain in it since they | | | | you look for in a holistic food. |
| don’t need it. Dogs do typically thrive on | | | | Holistic foods do not contain artificial colors or |
| protein so a holistic dog food should have higher | | | | sweeteners, or sugars. Your dog doesn’t |
| protein percentages than the minimum prescribed by | | | | need to have corn syrup added to his food. Coloring |
| AAFCO. Even elderly dogs can eat higher levels of | | | | added to dog food is entirely aimed at the buyer, not |
| protein than were once believed, unless they have | | | | the dog. A good, healthy food should be tempting |
| kidney problems. | | | | enough for 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 |
| Ethoxyquin is used to make tires and is believed to | | | | kangaroo meat or emu. There really is no need to |
| cause health problems in dogs. Ethoxyquin is a hot | | | | buy these expensive protein sources for your dog if |
| button issue with many people since it is typically | | | | he does not need them. If your dog is not allergic to |
| used to preserve fish meal. It is usually added to the | | | | more 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 dog food company does not | | | | exotic proteins to your dog when it’s not |
| have to include it on the food label. However, it is still | | | | necessary, if your dog ever does develop allergies to |
| in the food, even in small amounts. The USDA has | | | | some protein sources, you’ll be much more |
| asked dog food manufacturers to voluntarily reduce | | | | limited as to your options when you need them. |
| the amount of ethoxyquin used in dog foods. Some | | | | Whatever food you decide to feed your dog, be |
| of the better dog food companies now try to source | | | | sure to read the label. Don’t be fooled by |
| fish meal that is not preserved with ethoxyquin | | | | pictures, claims made in advertising or even what |
| although you may have to check the company web | | | | works for your neighbor. There are many good |
| site or even inquire of the company to find out if | | | | holistic foods available. Gather the information you |
| they do have ethoxyquin in their fish meal. Some | | | | need and make a good decision for your dog. |