| Since the FDA recalled many major brands of dog | | | | unsafe substances. Now, while these have been |
| food earlier this year, people are asking, "is my dog's | | | | shown to be perfectly safe for your dog to eat, |
| food safe?" Well, the answer to that question just | | | | some research has show that the nutritional benefit |
| might be easier to find than you think. In fact, all you | | | | might be lower. The hot water used in the rendering |
| have to do is look at the what goes into the food, | | | | process can alter or kill the nutrients found in these |
| which you can find that by looking at the ingredient | | | | products. This means that your dog might not be |
| list. But what do you look for? How does that differ | | | | getting the best nutrients available. Now that we |
| from natural dog food like Innova Dog Food? Well | | | | have talked about the two most common ingredients |
| lets take just a quick minute and put some definitions | | | | found in dog food, let's talk about natural dog food. |
| to the ingredients listed on dog foods. Let's start with | | | | The ingredient list on natural dog foods, like Innova |
| the back-bone of the food, the meats that are used. | | | | Dog Food [ usually includes meat and turkey. Now |
| Many brands of dog food that you will find on your | | | | the main difference between this and "meals" or |
| supermarkets shelves contain animal by-products. | | | | by-products is that the meats are usually fresh and |
| Animal by-products are the leftover parts that | | | | have not been altered in anyway, hints the reason |
| humans don't generally eat. These can range from | | | | they are called natural. Since these meats are not |
| bones and lungs to livers. Since these are not used | | | | exposed to the rendering process, the nutritional |
| for human consumption, they are often sold and | | | | benefits are not lost. Another ingredient that is often |
| used for things such as dog foods. The nutritional | | | | found in natural foods are fruits and vegetables. This |
| benefits that your dog receives from animal | | | | actually adds many positive supplements such as |
| by-products really varies from batch to batch. | | | | antioxidants. |
| However, these have been shown to be safe for | | | | American's are expected to spend over $11 billion |
| your dogs to eat. Another very common ingredient in | | | | dollars on pet food this year alone. If you are like I |
| dog foods is something called "meals." | | | | am, you treat your dog like part of the family. Just |
| The term "meal" means that the products used are | | | | like family, it's important to know what you are |
| not really fresh, the have actually been rendered. | | | | feeding your dog. Take a little time and look at what |
| When something is rendered is it exposed to water | | | | is going into the food you choose, whatever that |
| at a very high temperature. This hot water is used | | | | might be. Making the right choice could mean a very |
| to rid the product of parasites, bacteria and other | | | | long and healthy life for your four-legged friend. |