Showing posts with label natural dog food. Show all posts
Showing posts with label natural dog food. Show all posts

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Grain Free Dog Food For Healthier Diets

Cape hunting dogs forage in packs and set out at dusk to start their predations. With their alert ears and shining coats they make an ideal marketing picture for grain free dog food. They may never have taken a mouth full of the top dog food brand sold in supermarkets but seem none the worse for that. They're lean and mean and shining with good health.

Like other dogs these creatures are omnivorous rather than carnivorous. Before they tear another animal to pieces they will forage in the bush. Beetles, eggs, insects and a good deal of herbivore dung will be consumed.

The main goal remains protein rich meat. When the kill is done meat will be torn off and swallowed with hair and bone, and the contents of intestines and stomach slurped down. Afterwards the pack will find fresh water and mouthfuls of leafy grass will be taken from damp patches near the water.

In the profusion of dietary items available in the wild there will be relatively few grains. The main item on the menu will be raw meat. Pure protein will outweigh everything else in a successful pack of hunters.

Canned feed may contain too much water and maize meal for optimum nutrition. The few scraps of meat or meat flavor in a can may encourage an animal to wolf down the contents in preference to dry food but the preponderance of carbohydrates may lead to unhealthy obesity.

Some dry food brands announce that they are a complete formula. They encourage owners to feed nothing but the formula. Dogs often eat only a minimum amount of such foods, possibly because it is so distasteful or so salty that they can't ever satisfy their hunger and remain lean though unsatisfied. This scientific method does not seem to pay much attention to the emotional needs of owners or their pets.

A switch to a grain free dietary regime is often recommended because the carbohydrates in maize and wheat meal can make an animal feel replete without supplying the proportion of protein that is needed. This can lead to obesity and the associated health problems. Vets may recommend a switch in diet as a pet gets older and needs more protein.

On one hand the cost of foods with more meat will be higher because pure protein is expensive. On the other hand an animal might need less of such feed on account of the higher protein content. Quality can be played off against quantity. Good brands of feed will also have vitamins and supplementary elements.

Potatoes, tomatoes, peas and canola oil may be included as supplements, depending on availability. These will supply vitamins and trace elements that would occur naturally in a scavenger's diet. In fact, due to scientific formulations there could be a good chance that the commercial brand would be better than the completely natural diet.

Aside from costs, another consideration to be taken into account is the composition of fat in a grain free dog food. Again, economics might determine the use of inferior meats with large fat content. In this respect it might be a good idea to look for grain free dog foods that contain fish rather than chicken or beef.

Thursday, March 10, 2011

An Overview Of Natural Dog Food

Most dog lovers want the best for their canine companions, and in addition to excellent veterinarian care, a diet which is full of nutrients is at the top of the list. There are health benefits to providing them with natural dog food, and some of them might be surprising. Let's take a look at some details about the canine diet.

Dogs are related to wolves and coyotes, and in a natural habitat, none of them are vegetarians. What plant content they eat is inside entrails and could be debatable as to whether the dog is after the vegetable content, or simply eating the protein matter that contains it. By nature, canines are protein eaters, and a high grain content can actually cause digestive problems.

Over the years, humans started developing more diseases and ailments, and it only stood to reason that the domesticated animal world would start having such things as tumors and abnormalities. When humans found out that natural foods were healthier, they realized that pets were probably being fed the same artificial ingredients. Changing their diets changed the health of both.

Hip displacement has become a common problem in most breeds of domesticated dogs, and those whose diets were changed, experienced an improvement of this condition. Dog breeders and trainers who have be religiously feeding their canines an all natural diet, have not only eliminated this condition in their stock, but have heartier animals who are more disease resistant.

Allergies such as skin rashes, constant coughing and sneezing, excess mucus and other ailments have been linked to the ingredients found in most commercial canine foods. In many cases, it is the content of vegetables that have shown up as the culprits. There are certain types of vegetation which can not be digested in a canine stomach.

People may have experienced a situation where a doggie wets the floor when someone reaches out to pet it. This bladder incontinence may not be at all related to the personality of the dog, or it giving into a submissive behavior. Bowel and bladder incontinence have been directly linked to the chemicals found in pet foods.

Raw foods that are intended for human consumption may be treated with chemicals that cause the foods to remain looking fresh. However, canines really don't care what the food looks like, since they are color blind. Feeds intended for canines do not need to look appealing to a human, they only need to be healthy for the dog.

When that moment of everlasting bond occurred, and your new canine buddy chose you to be its new friend for life, it also turned over its trust and confidence into your hands, to provide it with proper medical care and a healthy diet. Natural dog food offers an opportunity to give your companion the best that life has to offer, and help to ensure a long and happy life together as best friends.

Sunday, February 20, 2011

Things to Consider When Choosing Natural Dog Food

When choosing natural dog food there are other aspects to consider. Some pet owners prefer dry also known as kibble. Some choose a diet which may consists of organic or natural products. This diet may include raw foods otherwise known as B. A. R. F or biologically appropriate raw food diet.

It is the nature of wild animals to consume the internal organs of prey and other dead animals as many of the nutrients needed are found in the linings of these organs as well as the organs. While eating grains and rice is not a normal part of their diet, the minerals, vitamins useful for energy are obtained in the wild.

Packaged diets (or kibble) is made up of what is called meal (namely meat and bone product of various animals). Meal simply means products which are not sold fresh. They consist of parts of the animal not fit for human consumption including feathers, hair, leather, gristle and fecal waste.

To process meal involves the rendering of all the animal-by-product by boiling. Boiling separates the fat-soluble from the water and solid materials. This process often does not destroy additional drugs and hormones used to cure livestock of illness and or to fatten up livestock. Nor does the process destroy any drugs used for euthanasia.

Most healthy dogs are active and of good temperament. Insufficient nutrition can not only slow them down but create digestive problems. The optimum diet is one which supplies the necessary vitamins and minerals to maintain energy levels is a good choice.

When considering the option of an organic way in feeding pets. Organic is a method of producing foods. Organic standards are different. These are natures foods but not all natures foods are organic.

Organic does not contain pesticides, herbicides. It also is void of the chemical preservatives, artificial colors, and antibiotics. There are standards for dog foods labeled organic. It is required that human-grade meats be used. This adds to the vitamin and mineral content which is usually very high.

Natural diets can be frozen, freeze-dried or dehydrated. Standards require these foods be processed as little as possible before allowing this to be appear on labeling.

In considering a diet more biologically appropriate, the frozen food option may be best. This contains the highest level of nutrition as it is not processed by heat in any way. However, this diet should be refrigerated which may be an inconvenience to pet owners as storage may be limited. Just as the organic diet, this diet can be costly.

A convenient option is the freeze-dried diet. This diet is a popular choice because of its convenience. Packets may be stored at room temperature and on shelves. The nutritional value remains high in these products.

Dehydrated also retains most of its value. Although vitamin C is depleted during processing. Some owners choose a vitamin C supplement to replace the loss.

Pet owners are faced with many issues to consider when choosing a proper diet for their pet. Although it is more cost effective than other diets it is lower in nutritional value. When choosing natural dog food, pet owners may want to talk to a veterinarian about how to feed their family companion.