| As a loving pet owner you want to feed your dog | | | | the companies put price before quality. With these |
| the best food possible. The healthiest dog food is | | | | foods a healthy dog up to thirty pounds will consume |
| always homemade. However, the following rating of | | | | nine pounds of chemicals in one year. |
| the nutritional adequacy of pet foods for your dog | | | | 5.) Top of the Line Name Brand Dog Foods: |
| will help you make an informed decision. | | | | These are the brands you might find in your |
| Seven Things You Should Know Before You Feed | | | | veterinarian's office. They feature higher quality |
| Your Dog: | | | | ingredients than the cheaper name brands but they |
| 1.) Meat and Nothing but Meat: | | | | still use artificial preservatives and chemicals. |
| Contrary to what people think dogs in the wild don't | | | | 6.) Natural Dog Food Products: |
| eat just meat. They eat the contents of the | | | | Many of these use vitamin C and vitamin E as natural |
| intestines, which includes vegetables. They also eat | | | | preservatives and they add chelated minerals and |
| the bones of animals which is a source of calcium. | | | | amino acids for better absorption. They are usually |
| The bones are always raw and dogs in the wild | | | | made with the finest quality ingredients. You want to |
| know which ones to eat and which ones to leave | | | | pick one with the lowest quantity of protein. Too |
| alone. Sometimes they don't eat the meat as the | | | | much protein can stress the immune system, kidneys |
| particular meat may not be edible but the content of | | | | and liver. Make sure they do not have any inferior |
| the intestines will include sources of proteins, like that | | | | products like "wheat flour" though. Read the label. |
| of certain other animals. If you feed your dog | | | | Wheat flour is really white flour, you want ground |
| nothing but meat and don't add the correct amount | | | | whole wheat or whole-wheat flour. |
| of vegetables and other nutrients found in fresh killed | | | | 7.) Homemade Natural Diet |
| animals then you are not feeding your dog a healthy | | | | The absolute very best food you can feed your pet |
| diet. | | | | is a homemade diet made with fresh foods. The diet |
| 2.) Semi-Moist Dog Food: | | | | does not have to be raw if you are uncomfortable |
| These diets are very high in sugar and they have | | | | with that. The food can be cooked, but not |
| chemicals, dyes, and other additives to make them | | | | overcooked. Meat can be medium rare and |
| last long on the shelf, give them color, softness and | | | | vegetables can be steamed. Chicken and turkey |
| an appearance that is pleasing to your eyes. | | | | must be thoroughly cooked. Fresh fish is an excellent |
| They look meaty...like real hamburger meat. Other | | | | choice. You can also use the very highest quality dog |
| than that they have no nutritional value for your dog | | | | food and mix it with broth, meat, chicken or turkey |
| and the diet is harmful. | | | | and add fresh vegetables and fruits. Pasta is O.K. but |
| 3.) Generic Brand Dog Foods | | | | no sauces, spices or salt. But, a little olive oil is good |
| Avoid these at all cost. They are often substandard | | | | for the skin. |
| foods and have highly questionable ingredients. The | | | | If you are going to feed your dog a homemade meal |
| cheap generic brand pet foods have been written | | | | it's always good to double check with your |
| about for many years in veterinary literature as being | | | | veterinarian first. Your vet has a complete record on |
| inadequate and poor in quality. They usually have | | | | your dog and will know if there are certain foods |
| severe mineral deficiencies. | | | | that your pet should not have. If your vet is not into |
| 4.) Name Brand Commercial Dog Foods: | | | | homemade meals for your dog, which is a rarity |
| For a healthy young dog and up to middle-aged these | | | | nowadays, then find a good holistic veterinarian to |
| foods are adequate but not the best. They are still | | | | work with. |
| loaded with chemicals, preservatives and dyes. Usually | | | | |