Dog Food

Pets Can Eat Raw Food Too

Sunday, January 29th, 2012

It’s obvious that organic, raw food is healthy for humans, but what about dogs? If you have pets, you should seriously consider buying them raw food. Pet food advertisements claim they offer your dog healthy meals with chicken and fresh grains, but are they really telling you the truth?

Commercial pet foods actually lack sufficient minerals, enzymes and vitamins for good health. Instead, they contain ingredients and additives that can actually harm your pet’s health. It’s not that different from human food. If you’re willing to take steps to make sure your family eats healthy, you should do the same for your dog.

You may think the junk in our food is bad, but just wait until you hear about pet food. It’s worse than fast food and processed foods. Beware that the following information can be disturbing for pet owners. Pet food can and does contain dead animal parts such as tongues, esophagi, nails, claws, feathers, beaks, tendons, lungs with pneumonia, and other diseased and cancerous meat. It appears nothing goes to waste and is instead sold for profit. These are all listed on the labels as byproducts.

There are other animal parts included in pet food such as bones and intestines. These dead animal parts are harmful for pets just as they would be for humans. Veterinarians say that feeding pets dead animal waste can lead to cancer and other diseases.

Surprisingly, there are also a lot of corn based grains in pet food. This seems strange since cats and dogs are carnivores. Just like in human food, there are a considerable amount of chemicals and flavor enhances placed in pet food which are toxic. Pets deserve better, especially since they are unable to make the choice on their own.

There is a solution to this problem. Pets can and should eat a raw food diet just like us. But what does this particular diet look like for a dog? If you do some reading and research on a raw food diet for your pets you’ll find a lot of information. There are several other articles and books available that will guide you through the simple process.

A raw food diet for pets may be different from a raw food diet for adults, but it’s a good idea for you to consider a raw diet for yourself too. The whole family should be eating healthy, including your pets.

Remember that the reason to eat a raw food diet is to give you the health that you deserve without worrying about all the impurities. Start learning today at Best Raw Food Plan by reading the information and watching the video.

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Should You Give Your Pet Grain Free Food?

Wednesday, January 25th, 2012

Having a pet at home is a huge responsibility and feeding your pet the right food is an important part of your responsibility. However, with so many brands of pet food available in the market, it is difficult to decide what is best for your pet. To make things even more difficult, a new trend in pet food emerges every few years.

Today, many pet owners prefer giving their animal friends grain free food. Giving your pet grain free food can be a good option for some pets but not for all pets. There are several factors that you must consider when giving your pet grain free food like lifestyle of your pet, their dietary requirements, activity level and their age. Therefore, it is important that you consider the individual needs of your pet before you decide on what food is best for your pet.

The trend of giving raw food to pets gained momentum after a study conducted by people who supported raw food diet. The study showed that both wild cats and dogs survived only on meat and rarely ate grains and other vegetables. Therefore meat was considered to be closer to natural diet of your pet.

Before you decide on what food you should give your pet, it is important to understand the advantages and disadvantages of grain free food. Most people who support giving raw food to pets don’t consider grain free food a bad option. However, they are of the view that it could be a problem for pets that are sensitive to these foods. Sensitivity to grains can cause indigestion, vomiting, bloating or even aggravate your allergies.

Grain free diet can benefit dogs and cats that suffer from diabetes and cancer. Also, animals that eat food that don’t contain grains usually have more energy and a better muscle tone than animals that eat grains. Most vets recommend that you give grain free food to pregnant mothers as it contains extra proteins and nutrients.

However, you must avoid giving raw food to animals that are old or have limited mobility as they may gain weight easily. Also, giving raw food to pets that are already overweight will only increase their weight. Another important aspect that you must keep in mind when buying grain free food is that is expensive when compared to foods that have grains. People who have a limited budget may find it difficult to buy grain free food for their pet.

Before you decide on what food is right for your pet, you must evaluate the needs of your animal friend. If you are unable to decide on what you must give your pet, it is best that you consult a vet.

There are many well-known manufacturers that make grain free food for pets. Pet food made by well-known manufacturers can be expensive and it is in your interest to use coupons when you buy these foods. For more information on Royal Canin Coupons, you can check out the website Royal Canin Coupons.

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What Are Dog Food Prices?

Saturday, January 21st, 2012

Dog foods should contain the essential nutrients a dog needs such as protein, fat, complex carbohydrates, beneficial fibers and supplemental vitamins and minerals. Some dog foods come in grain-free formula of fruits and vegetables, and may be mixed with raw meat and oil.

Basic dry kibble can cost somewhere from $150 to $300 per year for a 30 pound bag every one to two months. High quality dry kibble with holistic ingredients usually costs about $250 to $450 per year for a 30 pound bag every one to two months as well. Canned food or frozen raw food can cost $400 to as high as $1,000 per year for three cases of 13 ounce cans per month or for three of 10 pound bags of frozen raw food per month.

The costs are essentially based on the age, size and daily activities of the dog. Take for an instance, a dog owner can spend $100 per year on dog food to a sluggish sedentary breed dog, while $1,000 per year on food alone can be spent easily to a young and very active huge breed dog. If you want to save a little, you can purchase large bags for a less expensive cost than choosing to buy small bags on a daily basis that will actually be more expensive.

There are also other available food that you can provide your dog, such as grain-based treats that actually cost $2 to $5 per bag, and handmade treats that can cost $3 to $5 per bag at any dog bakeries. In addition to your total expenses, your dog will require to have his daily vitamins. Generally a total of $70 to $80 per year is spent on vitamins. For discounts, you might want to ask your local dog food store if they offer promos. Some food stores offer a free bag of food to their regular customers after buying a certain number of bags.

Want to know about the dog food cost in your area? Find out what other people are paying, and how you can save!

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How to Make Healthy Dog Food?

Saturday, January 14th, 2012

Many people are concerned about the safety of their dogs due to medical issues such as allergens. Some dogs have multiple issues, which some owners believed that they can be better managed by making their own dog food since they knew the contents of the food they serve to their dogs. The main objective of the dog owners in formulating their own dog food is to provide a balanced nutritional food that provides the essential nutrients needed to maintain their dogs well-being and dogs health. A recipe or number of recipes need to be developed in order to balance complete nutrition once a proper protein and carbohydrate sources are chosen. Ideally, a dog’s diet should be formulated with the aid of a nutrition expert since balancing a dog’s diet to provide adequate nutrition is nearly an impossible task.

Potential sources of protein for a homemade dog food are skin-less chicken breast, ground beef, lamb chop, salmon, whole egg, cottage cheese, and tofu. Potential sources of carbohydrates includes long-grained white rice, long-grained brown rice, white and sweet potatoes, oats, tapioca, and barley pearl. In making a healthy dog food, the diet must start with protein and carbohydrate sources. Once the formulated homemade dog food diet is achieved, do not attempt to change or add the diet to avoid complications. Many veterinary nutritionist are willing to work with your veterinarians in order to develop a homemade dog food diet that suits the individual needs of your dogs.

In making the homemade dog food diet, you need to consider some precautionary measures to avoid contamination which is dangerous to your pet dog’s health. All meat and poultry products must be cooked properly, just like with foods for human consumption, to help control the spread of bacteria. Thoroughly wash your hands before handling any foodstuffs. A dedicated cutting board for meats and poultry products must be used to avoid contamination. Meat should not be thawed and then re-freeze. Frozen meat should not be thawed in the counter also, but in the refrigerator. However, raw meat is also good for your dog since it is high in moisture which provides a significant amount of daily water requirement that is great for proper kidney functions in your dog. Bones included in a raw meat as long as it is fresh is okay since it holds essential nutrition to your dog however bones that has been preserved in any way is not recommended. If you are also in doubt with the raw meat preparation, ask the assistance of your Vet.

In conclusion, it is possible to provide a nutritious meal for your dogs. You just have to carefully choose the right ingredients in making your homemade dog food to make it well balanced and nutritious. Careful monitoring for signs of mal-nourishment must be done as well specially for your young growing dogs. A regular visit to your vet also is highly recommended to lessen the potential hazards associated with homemade dog foods.

To discover more on How to prepare a healthy homemade dog food visit http://www.howtomakedogfood.org/

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Is a Raw Food Diet for Dogs the Healthy Option?

Wednesday, January 11th, 2012

invisible dog fence

Many people wonder if a raw food diet for dogs is the healthy option. They trust the commercial dog food producers and blindly buy tinned food off the shelf. Are they slowly and unwittingly doing their dog harm by feeding them dangerous dog food?

I am a dog owner and I asked myself whether a raw food diet for dogs was the right way to go when it came to feeding my own dog.

My dog is a small cross breed and a fussy eater so I was just happy that she would eat the food I put in front of her.

Then I watched a TV program one day which revealed some information about how commercial dog food is produced including what actually went into it, and I have to tell you it made me feel sick.

From then on, I decided not to let my dog eat any of that stuff again. I asked around some friends and they suggested a raw food diet for dogs. Apparently the preparation process that dog food goes through before it is packaged removes most of the nutrients and what is left, isn’t exactly healthy, but raw food still has all the goodness.

I did some of my own research and discovered you can not just switch your dog from one diet to another. You have to gradually introduce the new food over a period of time.

Warning: If you do not do this, the new food can be a shock to the dogs digestive system and it can fall ill.

I suggest you do your own research on this and decide whether a raw food diet for dogs would benefit your dog.

Here are a few things you can start feeding your dog gradually, whilst reducing the commercial dog food you already feed it:

  • Raw carrots, peel them and chop them up into small chunks. My dog loves them
  • Raw turnip – again peel it and chop up.
  • Apples and pears – I leave the skin on these, but ensure I wash them and chop them up quite small.
  • Raw beef, lamb and uncooked bones which she loves to gnaw. You can get cuts of meat and bones cheaply from a butcher

You can find a whole bunch of interesting and tasty raw food recipes for dogs on my website

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Fact of Fiction? the Raw Truth About Dog Nutrition

Friday, January 6th, 2012

Concerned pet parents who are actively searching for the very best in nutrition for their dogs need to be able to discern fact from fiction when making a decision whether to switch their dog’s diet.

With the recent Natural Balance and Iams recalls, pet owners that have been buying kibble and canned food all their life are now beginning to questioning the safety, value and benefits of feeding a heat processed pet food.

Each side of the controversy professes to have science, longevity, and benefit advantages to offer the consumer. Like other similar philosophy differences, it is sometimes difficult to separate the chaff from the wheat.

Most of our customers come to us seeking help because their dog is exhibiting signs of immune system weakness that many times results into severe skin and allergy symptoms and serious degenerative diseases.

The fact is that our pets are naturally designed to eat raw food diets.

Their bodies are not designed to eat cooked foods full of grains and other fillers, preservatives and flavor enhancers. The animal’s body has only one way to tell us “NO – this is not what I should be consuming”. Unfortunately, it tells us this by presenting the animal with a variety of health issues, allergy symptoms digestive problems, etc.

The results we see every day from pets that are switched from a cooked diet to a raw food diet – specifically BARF World’s BARF diet patties and nuggets – are remarkable! The health problems that these pets previously suffered from with no relief have been reversed. This is all the evidence we need to expand our beliefs and convictions that a raw food diet that is properly formulated will repair, rebuild, and rejuvenate the various conditions that our pets commonly suffer from.

After 34 years of manufacturing and dispensing this same formula to many generations of dogs and seeing firsthand the benefits that these pets experience, I challenge anyone to suggest that a dry heat processed kibble diet is still the best way to feed our canine and feline companions.

Robert Mueller, BSc, Pharm. is a registered pharmacist, author of “Living Enzymes: The World’s Best Kept Pet Food Secret”, and co-developer of BARF World’s BARF diets patties, nuggets and supplements – the first company to make the Biologically Appropriate Raw Foods (BARF) diet conveniently available to animals everywhere. He and his wife love to travel around the world with their dog, Ubi – a sheltie/beagle mix. For more articles like these and to learn more about the benefits of raw food for your pets, sign up for The Intelligent Pet monthly e-zine at http://www.barfworld.com.

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Ten Foods Your Dog Should Never Eat

Wednesday, September 21st, 2011

Ten Foods Your Dog Should Never Eat

As a dog owner, we all want what’s best for our dog. With the newest reports about the proper diet for your dog, they should have carbohydrates, vegtables, etc., more and more dog owners are giving their dog table scraps without realizing that there are certain foods a dog should never have. Before you put your left-overs in your dog’s bowl be sure to read the top ten foods they shouldn’t eat.

1. Chocolate – To dogs, chocolate acts as a stimulant, making your dog’s heartbeat accelerate or beat irregularly, leading to seizures and even cardiac arrest. To compound things further, it also acts as a severe diuretic, causing frequent urination, vomiting, and/or diarrhea. If you even suspect your dog has consumed chocolate, take him to an animal hospital immediately.

2. Grapes and Raisins – Grapes and raisins create havoc with your dog’s kidneys and digestive system. What’s worse is that the amount of grapes needed to cause problems can vary greatly among individual dogs. Symptoms include frequent urination, vomiting, and diarrhea.

3. Onions – Onions cause the breakdown of a dog’s red blood cells, which deprives his cells of much-needed oxygen. If you’re in the habit of feeding your dog table scraps, make sure the dish was not prepared with onions, as the effects can be cumulative over a period of time. Symptoms can vary greatly, ranging from vomiting and diarrhea to loss of appetite, fever, or exhaustion.

4. Macadamia Nuts – While the exact chemical compound is still unknown, even a small amount of macadamia nuts can cause fever, irregular heartbeat, seizures, or mild paralysis.

5. Alcoholic Beverages – Dogs’ physiologies are not equipped to handle alcohol consumption. They are extremely susceptible to alcohol poisoning, and even small amounts can lead to digestive problems or even death.

6. Bread Dough – Because it is soft, dogs will often swallow the dough without chewing it. When the dough hits your dog’s stomach, his body heat will cause the dough to rise inside his stomach. This rising action can cause bloating or vomiting. To compound things further, the rising action creates alcohol as a by-product, and your dog may experience the symptoms listed in the previous paragraph.

7. Caffeinated Beverages – Similar to the effects of chocolate, caffeine is a stimulant and can negatively impact your dog’s heart rate, causing seizures or heart attacks.

8. Avocadoes- Avocadoes are toxic to many animals. The offensive chemical damages heart, lung, and other essential tissues. Be aware since guacamole’s main ingredient is avocado, that you keep any such dips well out of your dog’s reach.

9. Pitted Fruits – (Peaches, Pears, Cherries, and Apricots) The pits of these fruits contain small doses of cyanide, which can be fatal to smaller dogs. Also, if the pit is swallowed whole, it may become lodged in the intestinal tract, where the blockage will have to be surgically removed.

10. Raw Fish – Raw fish, especially salmon, can contain parasites, usually fluke larvae. The dog consumes the fish, and the larvae hatch in your dog’s digestive tract, attaching themselves to his intestinal walls. Symptoms can take up to a week to exhibit and usually mimic other canine diseases, such as distemper or parvovirus. The hazard here is misdiagnosis by the veterinarian, leading to an improper or ineffective treatment. If you choose to feed your dog fish, be sure to cook it thoroughly to kill any bad critters that could be hiding inside.

This is of vital information for your dog care. If you want your dog to have the proper diet, take a small amount of what your making before you add the onions and the extra spices and make him up his own little plate and add it with his dog food.

Remember a good dog is a happy and healthy dog.

Michelle Johnson is highly respected in her community for her knowledge on dog care. She owns http://www.tailwaggingprices.com find all your dog care needs at discounted prices. If you would like to read more of her articles visit http://dogandpetcare.wordpress.com while your there be sure to leave a comment.

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What You’ll Find in Wellness Dog Food!

Monday, January 24th, 2011

While some pet food manufacturers use every scrap of meat from animal renderings, Wellness dog food limits ingredients to only quality sources for what the animals need for good nutrition. A balanced combination of protein, grains for fiber and fruits for antioxidant protection are included in all varieties of Wellness dog food to help the pet remain healthy and active.

Many of the less expensive pet foods utilize all of the parts of meat and eat byproducts in their foods, allowing the inclusion of products that may include added hormones and potentially diseased animals. Wellness dog food does not use animals in their dog food with questionable health, which could possibly contain allergens, animal fats, soy, wheat and other products that may be hazardous to canines.

By using only quality protein sources, Wellness dog food promotes strong muscles and the grains included promote healthy fiber and provides energy for the pet. Antioxidant protection for the dog’s blood health is included with fruits and vegetables and the inclusion of omega 3 and 6 fatty acids provide for the animal’s skin and coat. Many dogs can develop joint problems but Wellness dog food contains Glucosamine and chrondroitin to help healthy joints and taurine help prevent heart problems in pets.

No Room For Bad Foods In Wellness

With all the nutritional products packed into Wellness dog food there is no room for fats and processed foods. It contains no meat byproducts or rendered animal fat, white rice, dairy, egg or soy products that can have ill effects on many dogs. Wellness dog food products respect and promote the overall health of all canines and only products proven to be beneficial to the well being of the pet is included in the food products.

Artificial flavorings and artificial colors have no place in a dog’s food, and are not included in any variety of Wellness dog food. Only fresh meats are included and the fruits and vegetables are not left over from other processes and dumped in the food just to save them from being thrown away. Anything that does not meet the high standards for quality to be included in the company’s dog food ends up in the trash or in another company’s products.

Most families view their dog as more than a faithful companion and many treat it like a loyal member of their family. Feeding it the best products they can is important to the animals health and well being as well as to the family’s peace of mind.

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How to Avoid Feeding Your Havanese Tainted Dog Food

Monday, January 24th, 2011

The primary ingredients in your pet’s food does not have to be bad for it to cause tainted dog food. All it takes is one ingredient to be less that acceptable for an entire production run of tainted dog food to be shipped to outlets worldwide. Since pet food manufacturers do not make each ingredient in their product, any one of the separate components can be tainted and will affect the entire product.

It is sometimes difficult to find the source of tainted dog food as evidenced by the recent outbreak of deaths and illnesses caused by tainted pet food. If any one of the ingredients, including the main source of meat, is tainted, it will have detrimental effect on the entire batch. For example, if something enters the food supply of one of the meats that may not be a problem for that animal, it cause tainted dog food if the additive is fatal to canines.

Apple seeds for instance, can cause cyanide poisoning in dogs, but is not harmful to chickens, If a chicken has eaten apple seeds and ends up in the dog food, the cyanide may still be present causing illness and possibly death to the dogs. In the most recent incidence of tainted dog food, wheat gluten was thought to have been tainted, causing the problems with tons of pet food. Many organic pet foods do not use wheat in any form in their products, due to the adverse reaction to the protein expected in many animals. However, some companies do use it as a protein source.

Protect Your Pet From Contamination

When a large, reputable supplier is a recipient of bad food ingredients it may be difficult to protect your pet from the effects of tainted dog food. However, checking the ingredients of all pet foods can help in the fight against that possibility. Making sure the ingredients supply the protein and grains needed for health of the pet can reduce the chance of your animal from being the victim of tainted dog food.

Many pet foods use preservatives along with artificial colors and flavorings to enhance the appearance and taste of their foods. Pet foods made with quality ingredients will not need these additives to convince your dog to eat the product and many should simply be avoided. While many less expensive brands of pet food are perfectly safe, made under the same strict guidelines to avoid the potential of tainted dog food, some of the lesser-known brands may contain products that are not healthy for the animal.

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Why Solid Gold Dog Food Is a Good Choice for Your Havanese

Monday, January 24th, 2011

While traveling through Germany with Great Danes, Sissy-Harrington McGill could not help but notice the longer life spans of the dogs in that country compared to those born and raised in the United States. The initial thought was the ingredients in the dog food they were being fed so when she returned to her native California, she began to experiment and in 1974 lunched Solid Gold dog food using her own natural ingredients formula.

For over 30 years the company has focused on pet foods containing no preservatives or saturated fat. Rice, barley and oats replace the wheat, soy and corn found in may other pet foods and USDA choice meats are the only ones used in the company’s pet food products. Solid Gold dog food also produces a line for natural shampoos and skin treatment for pets.

As pet care products continue to increase in importance for pet owners, the Solid Gold dog food line of skin treatment, ear care and shampoos continue to make in-roads in natural pet care. Having a product to help the health and appearance of a beloved pet is a rapidly growing priority for many pet owners and the flaxseed oil and shampoos containing jojoba skin treatment and coat conditioner keeps the dog healthier looking and happier.

Artificial Products Have No Place In Solid Gold

All Solid Gold dog food products are made with all natural ingredients, from the freshest cuts of meat to the high quality grains, to insure the animal is being treated like a member of the owner’s family. No artificial flavorings or preservatives to alter the taste or the way the products help the pet nutritionally.

Whether Solid Gold dog food will extend the life expectancy of any animal is open for debate, but quality nutritional food is one factor that contributes to the overall health of the animal. Insuring there is no ingredients that can cause health problems in any animal is a priority of Solid Gold dog food, which is why it uses only the best products in the pet food.

In additional to its full line of pet food and skin care products, for animals that may need a little extra nutritional help, Solid Gold dog food also produces supplements to help the animal have all of the vitamins and minerals it needs for a healthy life. Balancing the dog’s vitamin C and phosphorous intake with no dairy products can be accomplished with many supplements from Solid Gold dog food.

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