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5 Tips For Choosing Foods With Good Nutrition For Dogs
5 Tips For Choosing Foods With Good Nutrition For Dogs
By Sylvia Dickens
When we talk about nutrition for dogs, we might think that one size fits all, but it's just not true. All dogs have their own specific needs and this should be taken into consideration when searching for the best food for your pet.
As with human food, there are some dog foods that are good and others that are not so good. Fattening foods, salty foods, sugary foods all contribute to health issues so you are wise to check that the dog food you choose is free of these elements.
Always consider that nutrition for dogs is just as important as our food choices are for us. You can help ensure your dog's nutrition is top quality by following a few simple steps.
Select good nutrition for your dogs based on your pet's breed, age and medical issues
Here are five ways to make sure you provide your pet with nutritional dog food.
1. Choose a premium quality dog food based on the nutritional dog food requirements specified by the AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control). Steer away from foods that list artificial preservatives and food coloring. Look for brands that list meat at the top of the list.
2. Semi-moist foods generally tend to be higher in salt and sugar than other types of dog food. Sugar and foods that tend to stick to the teeth can lead to tooth decay and gum disease, such as gingivitis and periodontal disease. It's best, therefore, to avoid such products.
3. Canned foods, which can be one optional as good nutritional dog food, consider that this type of dog food is approximately 80% water. While canned food is more expensive because of the amount needed to meet your dog's nutritional needs, dry food is more economical as it contains less water.
4. Nutrition for dogs at specific periods of life must be chosen carefully. If your dog has allergies and underlying medical conditions such as digestive tract ailments or diabetes, for example, it's best to have your vet recommend the best diet for your pet. Puppies require high-energy foods that aid the growing process and bone development. Adult dogs need non-fattening foods. Seniors generally are better served with nutritional dog food that is easy to digest.
5. Large breeds can be fed more economically with dry food, whereas small dogs will benefit from kibble because their teeth tend to be closer together. The compacted teeth are more susceptible to trapping food and causing dental disease. Kibble will help to remove or reduce the accumulation of plaque on the dog's teeth.
Good nutrition for dogs must take into consideration the individual pet, from the breed and size of dog to the dog's age and medical condition. Choosing a quality nutritional dog food can have a significant impact on your dog's overall health and longevity.
Get more dog care tips on Sylvia's Dog Nutrition site. Discover the dog nutrition secrets that can make the difference in your dog's overall health and endurance. The Healthy Dog Nutrition Secrets package, just released by award-winning journalist Sylvia Dickens, explains all about the dangers certain foods pose for your dog, includes delicious dog food recipes you can make yourself, a dog food report, dog care, and much more.
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Dog Food Conspiracy - How Does it Affect You and Your Pet?
Dog Food Conspiracy - How Does it Affect You and Your Pet?
By Romel De La Cruz
Only a few years ago, the dog food recall has made headlines. Many of the well-known commercial brands have topped the list of the recalls in the market. What manufacturers don't want their consumers to know are the ingredients they use to keep the prices low. But in turn, the drastic effects of this dog food conspiracy don't just affect the animals, but their owners as well.
It is a fact that most owners buy commercial dog foods for their pets simply because they are affordable. Another reason is that the vet may have recommended a specific brand knowing that the owners would give anything to keep their pets healthy. But slip-ups could happen especially when you don't understand the effects of certain ingredients in your pet's meal.
Some owners have switched to home-cooked dog food to ensure that their pets are getting the best nutrition. Some even claim that home-cooked meals are the best available today. It really comes down to what you understand and look out for especially in the food that you are providing for your pet. Dog food conspiracy issues may have died down in the recent years, but it is still possible that some manufacturers are still using fillers and harmful ingredients today.
What can you do?
The answer to this burning question is to be aware of what you are feeding your dog. But as mentioned earlier, it won't be an easy task of reading and understanding pet food labels. This is one of the hidden concerns in dog food conspiracy and manufacturers don't want you to know that.
It is true that it's difficult to choose and sift your options when it comes to the best foods that are commercially available. You can cook meals and still provide it with alternative dog food every now and then to balance your pet's nutritional intake. But with the many brands and types of dog food out there, it won't be an easy task of picking what's truly the best in the market.
You should also be observant of your dog's physiology. Look for signs of allergies, change in eating behavior, over-all health and disposition, as well as other odd behaviors that are not normal. If you think that you are feeding your pet with the best foods, it is more likely that symptoms and changes won't occur. So you need to be aware of anything that is far from normal when it comes to your dog's disposition and health.
In order to be more informed, you need to look for detailed information about dog food conspiracy, its dangers, how to prevent it, and ways to improve your pet's health. You can gather as many information as you want from the internet. But if you can find a single but comprehensive compilation of information that tackles these issues, then take a look and find out how you can benefit from it.
If you'll find something that will provide you with enough information on the best dog foods and how to stay away from the bad ones, you should also check if it is for free or for a fee. Make sure to check for other offers that will benefit you and your pet without the extra cost.
Anyone who loves dogs will do anything to prolong and give them a quality. If you think you are not providing enough nutrition when feeding with commercially-available foods, think of the dog food conspiracy and look for the valuable information you need. This is the right time to provide the best foods to your beloved pet to give it a healthy and quality life.
Romel Dela Cruz loves to impart his insights and advice on a variety of topics such as the things you need to know about dog food conspiracy.
Is your dog getting enough nutrition from the dog food that you provide? Visit http://squidoo.com/best-dog-foods and find out how you can improve your dog's nutrition and which dog foods and ingredients you should stay away.
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Dog Nutrition - Learning the Difference Between Good Food & Bad Food
Dog Nutrition - Learning the Difference Between Good Food & Bad Food
By Kelly Marshall
Concerned your dog's food is lacking in the necessary nutrients for optimal health and daily energy? Not sure how what to look for in a quality dog food? Read on!
For Starters, Learn What the Labels Mean
Association of American Feed Control Officials set guidelines for foods labeled "completely balanced" or "nutritionally complete." These foods meet the nutritional requirements for either maintenance (adult dogs) or growth and reproduction (puppies and pregnant or lactating mothers), as specified in those guidelines. The label must indicate the group for which it is intended.
Dry food is the most economical commercially available dog food. Dry food is more filling when eaten, because it is crunchy and takes more time to eat. The crunchiness of non-moistened dry food keeps a dog's teeth healthy by reducing the accumulation of plaque. The chewing action massages the gums for good oral health.
Canned foods cost more than dry foods, but if you own a small dog this price difference will be much less noticeable. However, if you are feeding a Rottweiler or Great Dane, then the cost difference will really add up. Canned foods are the go to choice for any dogs that are underweight or those recovering from surgery or illness.
Frozen foods are next up on the menu. Frozen foods have the same advantages of canned food products, such as a higher percentage of meat and vegetables, however, frozen varieties often contain even fresher and better variety of ingredients and therefore, typically costs a bit more than the canned foods. Both cooked and raw forms of frozen dog foods are widely available.
Watch Out For Human Foods
Many common and delectable human foods have the potential to make your dog or puppies very sick or in certain cases, ingestion of these could cause your pet's death. These foods need to be kept out of reach of your very special four legged friend.
1) Chocolate: Chocolate contains theobromine (a substance related to caffeine) and different types of chocolate contain different amounts of theobromine. Theobromine can cause vomiting, diarrhea, muscle tremors, seizures and irregular heartbeat in dogs.
2) Macadamia Nuts: A serving size as small as 2 teaspoons per pound of bodyweight can cause toxic signs. While the nuts are especially delicious to eat, they can cause weakness in dogs, vomiting, depression, and other signs. The agent that causes these symptoms is unknown.
3) Onions: A toxic dose of raw onions is about 1 to 5 ounces. Both raw and cooked onions contain a substance that ruptures the red blood cells, a condition, which can lead to severe anemia. Garlic can also produce similar effects, though not as severe.
4) Raisins and Grapes: While the toxic agent remains unidentified, these foods can cause kidney failure in some dogs. According to the ASPCA's Animal Poison Control Center, toxicity can occur following ingestion of quantities ranging from a single serving of raisins to more than a pound of grapes.
Kelly Marshall is a writer for Oh My Dog Supplies, the leading dog supplies site that includes helpful dog articles and informative dog tips.
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