| The basis for good health in our dogs is diet and the | | | | Canned foods consist of the worst junk parts of |
| key to good health is prevention. The more natural | | | | dead animals, along with poor-quality grains packaged |
| and fresh the diet, the more nutrients are available | | | | in such a way as to sound appealing. Most canned |
| for your dog's body to use in building a good immune | | | | foods are mostly grains, by-products, and |
| system which will in turn ward off illness and disease. | | | | preservatives with flavoring added. |
| Organic and natural dog food is the best way to | | | | · Try to avoid grains as much as possible. |
| start off your puppy's life to give him/her the | | | | Your dog will have a much healthier and longer life if |
| healthiest chances of long and happy life through | | | | you leave the grains out of his/her diet. Make sure |
| adulthood. | | | | that grain is one of the last ingredients listed on the |
| The remainder of this article will discuss the pros and | | | | package of the dog food you are purchasing rather |
| cons of using organic versus non-organic dog food. | | | | than one of the first. Always avoid any dog food |
| There is a common misconception that organic dog | | | | that has corn in it, dogs have a very hard time |
| food is more expensive than non-organic | | | | digesting corn and will get sick from it over a period |
| (supermarket quality) dog food. This cannot be | | | | of time. |
| further from the truth, read the remainder of this | | | | · Choose a food that does not contain any |
| article before making that purchasing decision. | | | | by-products. A By-product is a fancy word for |
| Commercial Pet Food The first known commercial | | | | everything that really should be tossed on the |
| pet food that came into existence was first known | | | | slaughterhouse floor and is not fit for human or dog |
| as wet food or canned pet food. Dry pet food, or | | | | consumption. |
| what is known as kibbles, did not come into | | | | · Add cooked meat to your dog's dry food |
| existence until the 1950's. We have always been told | | | | or cooked or steamed vegetables to add flavor. |
| that feeding human food to our pet was not healthy. | | | | Be very selective in the foods you purchase and |
| Ironically, feeding the wrong type of commercially | | | | read the labels closely. There are many organic and |
| packaged dog food to your pet can be just as | | | | natural commercial dog foods that are good for your |
| unhealthy. Certain grades of commercially packaged | | | | dog so do not just settle for the supermarket |
| dog food may need to have additional supplements | | | | varieties. Look at the ingredients and make sure the |
| added to the food just to maintain the nutrient level | | | | healthy ingredients are listed first and the grains are |
| best for a dog's good health. The exception is with | | | | listed near the end. |
| the use of high-quality natural and organic dog foods. | | | | Need More Convincing? Because the lower-end, less |
| Many of the better of commercial organic dog foods | | | | expensive commercially packaged dog foods are |
| have added these to the dog food making them a | | | | usually so laden with grains and other undesirable |
| great choice for your dog. | | | | ingredients, your dog will have more frequent and |
| Ingredients Some of the things you will most often | | | | larger stools. The bigger the stools, the fewer |
| see listed on the label of your non-organic kibble or | | | | nutrients are being assimilated into your dog's body. |
| canned food are different types of grains. Dogs, | | | | All the junk in commercial dog food will eventually |
| however, do not fare well on grains because they | | | | take its toll on your dog's body, leading to a decline in |
| are carnivores and their bodies were not made to | | | | health. Your pet will also have more offensive body |
| digest grains. The reason grains are added to | | | | odor and doggy-breath when fed a lower-end |
| commercial dog foods is that they are cheap and | | | | commercially packaged dog food. |
| your dog can survive on them for a while before | | | | If you are planning to use the commercially packaged |
| health problems begin to manifest. Meat is often | | | | food method for feeding your dog, seriously consider |
| listed as the first ingredient in commercial dog food | | | | using a higher-quality organic or natural dry dog food. |
| which seems healthy at first glance. Unfortunately | | | | The initial higher cost for the organic dog food will |
| this meat has been cooked for so long that the | | | | pay off. In the long run, you will pay far more in |
| nutritional value is gone and the beneficial fats and | | | | veterinary costs and experience more behavioral |
| enzymes are no longer present. | | | | problems with your dog by feeding him/her a lower |
| Here are some guidelines to help you make informed | | | | quality food just to save a few pennies. Your dog |
| decisions for your dog when purchasing commercial | | | | also requires less volume of the organic and natural |
| dog food: | | | | dog foods because of the higher concentration of |
| · Avoid commercial foods that have chemical | | | | nutrients. If you start out with high-quality organic |
| preservatives such as BHT, BHA or ethoxyquin. Try | | | | and natural dog food you will save money and have |
| to choose organic foods that have natural | | | | a healthier and happier dog. |
| preservatives such as vitamin C, E and mixed | | | | Making the organic dog food choice for your pet |
| tocopherols. | | | | could not be an easier decision. |
| · Try to avoid canned foods altogether. | | | | |