So you are wondering if the dog food you are feeding is really
good for your canine.
Maybe you heard that your particular brand of dog food is bad
for your dog.
Here I will try to explain what to look for as well as the
ingredients and how they measure up to what you are currently
feeding. Please keep in mind dog food is essential to their
health as for most it is their main source of nutrition.
Some easy tips are:
Do not buy dog food that contains BHT or BHA, they are chemical
preservatives and could be harmful.
Do not buy food that has by-products in it; these are often
left over from is given to the human market. That means
by-products could be feet, intestines, necks etc.
Grains that are often difficult to digest like corn, wheat,
gluten and soy, are often used as a protein source instead of
meat. - This is not healthy and in addition can cause
allergies.
Now we get into the fun part!
The first 5 ingredients play a significant role in the overall
nutritional make up of a dog food
What are the protein sources? I believe the primary source
should come from quality animal protein, not vegetable protein
or grain. Foods that list 2 or more grains in the first 5
ingredients may have more vegetable protein than animal
protein.
What about grains? Two or more grains listed in the first 5
ingredients means your food may have more vegetable protein
than animal protein. Grains such as soy, corn, corn gluten and
wheat gluten can be difficult to digest, which means less
nutrition and more clean up.
Are there by-products? Some manufacturers consider by-products
inferior sources of protein and, depending on the source, they
can be difficult to digest.
What are the fat sources? Some fats are better than others. We
believe the primary fat source in dog food should be animal
based because animal fats contain a profile of fatty acids that
are easily metabolized and thus are generally more available to
the body.
Look for an identifiable animal protein such as "chicken meal"
rather a generic term; such as, "poultry meal," which can
contain any fowl (turkey, chicken, geese, etc.).
Some manufacturers use chicken in their pet foods; however,
look for Chicken "Meal" Why? Because chicken meat contains a
certain amount of moisture in the flesh; however, chicken
"meal" is a concentrated source of chicken protein because most
of the water has been removed. Therefore, it only stands to
reason that you get a greater "protein content" in 1 pound of
chicken meal versus 1 pound of chicken.
Make sure your dog food has bacteria cultures (acidophilus) for
easy digestion. Look for vegetables and fiber for anti-oxidants
protection, vitamins and minerals.
About The Author: Lori Matthews studies health, nutrition and
wellness. Enjoys writing articles on health for both people and
pets. Please www.premium4pets.net for more information.
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