| It's easy to get overwhelmed by all the "healthy" dog | | | | mentioned rule of thumb does not apply in the |
| food choices in the market, and it does not help | | | | reverse - it does not necessarily mean that if you |
| things that so much negativity has been said about | | | | can eat it, your dog can, as well. Chocolate, raisins, |
| commercial dog food products. Many dog owners find | | | | grapes, garlic, and onions have been found to be |
| themselves at a loss in choosing or preparing a good | | | | toxic to dogs, so it's wise to avoid feeding them |
| dog food diet for their pets, and often wonder if | | | | such foods. In other words, if you've been feeding |
| there really is a perfect healthy dog food diet out | | | | your dog pizza, it's in his best interests that you |
| there. | | | | never do it again. |
| It's really quite simple once you know what should go | | | | With this information, you then choose the type of |
| into the dog - the nutrients. Dogs need a mixture of | | | | dog food diet you'll be giving your dog. Basically, you |
| protein, carbohydrates, good fats, vitamins, minerals, | | | | have three options - commercial, BARF, or natural. |
| and water. Whether you're checking the label of a | | | | Commercial dog foods are those you find lining the |
| particular dog food brand or preparing his meal | | | | shelves of your pet store or supermarket - they're |
| yourself, making sure that your dog gets all these | | | | basically tailor-made to suit the needs of dogs in all |
| essential nutrients will keep you on the safe side. | | | | stages of their lives. They also come in organic form, |
| Next, you'll need to decide on the ingredients of the | | | | though a bit pricier. It's a good idea to choose the |
| dog food. Meat, vegetables, starch, and fruit are | | | | premium brands over economy, since the cheapest |
| good sources of the nutrients that dogs need. Meat | | | | ingredients are almost never the best for your dog. |
| products such as lamb, poultry, fish, and lean beef | | | | BARF stands for Bones And Raw Food, the diet |
| and pork are good choices - it depends on the | | | | some experts insist is the ideal diet for dogs, owing |
| availability. The same goes for vegetables - choose | | | | to the fact that this was what dogs ate while in the |
| what's most available, and go organic if you can | | | | wild. Despite the theory's validity, some questions |
| afford it. | | | | have been raised about feeding bones and raw meat |
| Good starch foods include brown rice, brown pasta, | | | | to dogs. It's best to approach this type of dog food |
| oatmeal, and potatoes. Stay away from the grains, | | | | diet with caution. |
| however, as dogs can not properly digest them and | | | | Finally, you can go between commercial and BARF |
| may have nutrients that dogs do not need. When | | | | diets and feed your dog a natural one. Natural dog |
| choosing starch foods, go for whole products so | | | | food diets involve cooked meat, fresh vegetables, |
| your dog can take advantage of the extra fiber, | | | | enough starch, fruits, and water - quite close to what |
| vitamins, and minerals. | | | | we'd eat ourselves. Despite the lack of scientific |
| There's a prevailing rule of thumb for dog owners | | | | proof, dog owners have claimed that feeding dogs a |
| these days that if you will not eat a particular kind of | | | | natural diet (40% meat, 50% vegetables, 10% |
| food, then do not feed it to your dog, either. Some | | | | starch, for instance) make them healthier, happier, |
| organ meats and byproducts (feathers and beaks, | | | | and live longer lives. |
| for instance) are included in some commercial dog | | | | Keep these tips in mind, and you'll make no mistake |
| food brands, and may not exactly be best for your | | | | about coming up with healthy dog food for man's |
| dog. | | | | best friend. |
| Another thing to remember is that the above | | | | |