My Pets: dog food

Showing posts with label dog food. Show all posts

Great Ideas About Dogs That Anyone Can Use

Whether you already have a dog or are just looking for one, it is likely that you are aware of the care required by dog ownership. This is not something you can just jump into with no information. The tips presented here will help you be a better owner to your dog.

You may know that chocolate is dangerous for dogs, but you may not know the specifics. Chocolate is dangerous because of the stimulants caffeine and theobromine. Baking chocolate is the most dangerous, with a high amount of stimulants. White chocolate contains the least amount of stimulants. Take you dog to vet if he ingests chocolate.

Keep on top of fleas. Not only can fleas cause infection in your dog, if one is swallowed, your pet can get tapeworms as well. Speak to your veterinarian about the best prevention method, but remember that this is not a one shot deal. You will have to continue your efforts over the life of your pet.

If your dog is very rowdy or easily excitable, experts recommend that you don't bring them along on vacation. Many times the thrill and confusion of a new area filled with strangers is too much for the hyper dog and unpleasant incidents may occur. Find a great kennel to care for your pooch instead.

If you are interested in providing your dog with the healthiest of diets and making positive contributions to the earth's environment, make his food from scratch. You can buy locally grown organic ingredients and provide him all the proteins, carbs and fats he needs with no preservatives while reducing the waste from packaging as well.

Pick and choose when you are going to groom your dog. You do not want to attempt grooming when your pet is in a particularly frisky mood, because the process will not go well. Instead, do so only when your dog is calm and tired, like after you have taken him for an especially long walk.

Genuine meat bones may be tempting, but it's best to stick to rawhide. Bones can chip and hurt your dog if sharp fragments are ingested. Rawhide is completely healthy and improves the teeth, and therefore is preferable to animal bones.

It should be easy to take good care of your dog if you follow the tips presented here. With a lot of love and patience your dog will be happy and healthy. Keep educating yourself to discover more ways to improve your dog's life and make your time together more enjoyable.

Finding the Right Dog Food Online

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Dogs are great pets which are emotionally bonded to its master and to keep it fit and healthy it is important to keep an eye on their food and activity to maintain their vigor and stance. You can find dog food online from different brands offering in different compositions to choose one that best suits to the appetite of your dog. As branded food for dogs maintain a balance in the nutrients and minerals essential for the dog it is in fact the best choice compared to the home food that you may think of giving to your dog. You can also keep changing the flavors of this dog food over a period of time as the dog grows by slowly adapting them to the new taste with small portions to give them a change in diet based on its weight and age.

The branded foods on the online store also don't require any prescription from the vets but in case you need specific diet for any condition you can have a prescription and can find the right brand and specialist diet like organic, working, grain free or prescription food on the stores suitable for your dog's condition. By visiting the pet food online stores you can come across many brands on the same platform offering quality and genuine diet to dogs for you to compare the tasty ingredients that satisfy your dog's appetite and keep them energetic. You can check out brands like Acana, Alpha, Country kibble, Natures menu, Pedigree and many more for you to pick up.

There are hypoallergenic dog foods specially made for sensitive dogs with single protein source meat that is highly digestible by the dogs. Such foods avoid beef, wheat, pork, dairy, egg and wheat gluten without any artificial source of colors, preservatives or flavors that is very much for working dogs. There are is also special food offered by pedigree for senior active dogs, complete dog food with rich and chicken, food chicken for larger breeds, beef and veg combination and so on with added minerals and nutrients that keep your dogs healthy and jumping with energy. The amount of dog food to be given daily depends on the age and activity of the dog which you can check out with your veterinary.

By buying dog food online you can definitely cut costs by comparing prices and ingredients offered by different brands and also avail free delivery of the bags to your door steps on placing an order and making the payments online.

Raw Dog Food Diet Benefits - A Balanced View

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Dog lovers and general pet lovers alike pay close attention to what comes into their beloved pets' mouths. What you feed your dog is basically the most important thing you should be mindful of when owning one.

Dogs are naturally and biologically built to be carnivores. Today's domesticated dogs are direct descendants of wolves, which are biologically designed to eat raw meat and perhaps some vegetables. Although sled dogs and racing greyhounds have been fed raw food for a very long time, the idea to introduce the same kind of diet for household dogs is proposed only around the past decade.

In 1993, Ian Billinghurst, an Australian veterinarian suggested that it may be best for domesticated dogs to be reintroduced to their ancestral ways - the raw food diet. Basically, this dog diet consists of mainly raw meat, bones, and pieces of vegetables. He also questioned the nutritional value of commercial dog foods; stating that they are unnatural and may be harmful for dogs. Since then, his idea was called the BARF diet which stands for either Bones and Raw Food or Biologically Appropriate Raw Food.

Benefits of Raw Food Diet

Although modern day dog food is a convenient way to feed pets, evidence clearly indicates the nutritional deficit of kibble as compared to raw food.

In a nutritional comparison, commercial dog foods contain an unnecessarily high amount of carbohydrates at around 46-74% -- around four times the amount of carbohydrates present in raw foods (14%). In the other hand, the raw food diet contained high protein and fat value of 56% and 25-30% respectively, while commercial dog foods offered only an average of around 18-32% and 8-22%.
With the higher percentage of essential nutrients, the alternative diet has shown a number of substantiated benefits such as:

1. Healthier and shinier coats and skin
2. Smaller, firmer stools
3. Better digestion
4. Improved weight management
5. Cleaner and healthier teeth
6. Better sleep and energy
7. Reduced allergic reactions
There are also numerous reports of the success of raw food diet in treating chronic illnesses in dogs. This may be due to the commercial food that the dog has been eating prior to being introduced to this alternative diet.

While the above facts are accepted by the FDA and many mainstream veterinarians, the raw food diet for dogs does not come without its own down sides.

Negative Effects of Raw Food and How to Avoid Them

Other than being expensive, time consuming, and hard to sustain, there are still many potential risks with this approach.

First of all, raw meats are highly susceptible to being contaminated by certain pathogens and other bacteria. Since a dog's digestive system shorter and highly acidic, they are highly resistant to such contaminations. However, it poses a threat for the dog's human owners. The bacteria from these foods will be excreted in the dog's stools, but it can easily be transferred to carpets and other household furniture as well.

Although it can be threatening for young children, the elderly, and people with weakened immune systems, being exposed to these pathogen residues can easily be easily avoided by observing overall hygienic practices.

While rich in protein and fat, the raw food diet does not offer a lot when it comes to other vitamins and minerals. This is because dogs are known to digest raw vegetables poorly. Although this problem can be addressed by lightly cooking the vegetables to aid in digestion, the best way to make sure your dog is getting balanced nutrition is to consult a veterinarian for advice.

This article is not a substitute for professional advice. If you are in any doubt or have any concerns about the health of your dog you may wish to consult with a professional for diagnosis and treatment at the earliest opportunity.

Essential Dog Bowl Buying Tips

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A dog bowl is necessary for giving food or water to your dog. Available in various forms, and designs, dog bowls must be selected after careful consideration, but finding the right dog bowl is easier than you may have thought.

Whether you have brought a new puppy home, or have a dog for many years, dog bowls are necessary to give food or water to your pooch. Just like with any other dog item, you should stop to consider a few important factors before you buy dog bowls for your precious pet.

Dog Bowls - Why Do I Need One?
Dog bowls are really convenient and offer your dog the means to get nourished and quench his thirst. Imagine, if you dog didn't get water to drink when he was thirsty, he'd probably get very sick due to dehydration. But now all you need to do is fill the dog bowl with fresh water, every morning and evening, and let you precious pooch quench his thirst whenever he wants! Dog bowls are also a necessity because they ensure that your dog is trained to eat, drink, and urinate outside the house. Dog urine could be problem is the pet is not house trained properly.

Since there are dog bowls for all dog breeds, the bowl size is a crucial consideration depending on the needs and requirements of your dog. Most pet owners opt for dog bowls that have a water bowl on one side and food bowl on the other. But don't limit your choices, because there are some really exciting choices for dog bowls in the market! From stainless steel to plastic to glass, dog bowls need to easy to clean, rough and tough, and should defeat bacteria from growing.

Small dogs require small dog bowls, while larger dogs require larger dog bowls because they require more food and water.

Dog Bowls - Here's What You Need To Look For
1. Easy to clean
2. Spill proof
3. Durable
4. Easy to maintain
5. Dishwasher safe
6. Perfectly sized for your breed
7. Safe to use

Dog Bowls - Best Tip Ever!
One of the best types of dog bowls is those that are made of stainless steel and have a rubber bottom with tapered sides. While these bowls are heavy, the rubber bottom ensures that your dog is unable to push his bowl and spill its contents on the floor. The tapered sides have been designed to prevent tipping. And best of all, stainless steel used to makes these dog bowls is not just durable, but easy to clean, dishwasher safe, and can't be chewed, broken or tampered with. Remember to buy a dog bowl that is large enough to contain at least enough water to last a day depending on the size of your canine friend.

Dog Bowls - Top Shopping Tips
If your dog doesn't drink enough water, dog urine may become a problem. An attractive, yet functional dog bowl will not just invite the dog to consume water, but also offer him comfort while drinking water. Here's what you need to look for:

* Durable and indestructible dog bowls that can't be broken, chewed, or thrashed around. Must avoid - light weight plastic, glass, and pottery dog bowls.
* Consider buying bowl holders that prevent the dog bowls from sliding, overturning, or skidding on the ground or floor.

Tip: A dog drinks about 25 ml of water per pound/day or less than an ounce/pound. A 15 pound dog would require a dog bowl that can hold around 15 ounces of water.

What Are All the Ingredients Used to Make Healthy Dog Cakes?

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Food treats are the best way to reward a dog for being efficient and active in training or for being so kind and affectionate to the masters. Food rewards are said to be the best way of building good behavior in dogs. Masters can also make them happier by giving birthday food treats by ordering cakes in a dog bakery.

The food products baked in dog bakery are usually made with all natural ingredients which will be healthy and delightful for pets. No artificial calamities are added to give artificial color and growth. The ultimate aim of the dog bakery is to provide proper nourishment and healthy growth to the dogs by adding sufficient natural ingredients which dog usually prefer to eat. The ingredient usually contains fiber-rich minerals, wheat flours, purified milk, chocolates and vegetable oils which are always considered as healthy nutrients. Itâ€™s better to avoid heavy meat solids, onion, garlic, grapes and nuts since it may be toxic and harmful to dogs sometimes. Most of the products are baked in favor of dogâ€™s tastes and ingredients which dogs donâ€™t like to eat are normally avoided. All the healthy ingredients like milks and vegetables are directly taken from farms in order to maintain the freshness of the product.

Foods treats are rewarded to dogs in order to encourage them and to provide vitamin rich nutrients to keep them healthy. There are also different flavors of baked cakes available especially for dogs. Flavors like chocolate, strawberry, vanilla will be preferable for dogs to eat. The ingredients used in these flavors are original peanut butter, molasses, natural cheese, honey and milk. All the ingredients used are top favorite for dogs so they will enjoy eating the food treat for sure. These food treat cake biscuits are available in different sizes and shapes in which dogs can choose for the best suitable one.

There are some bakeries providing healthy meat enriched with normal food items for meat preferred dogs. But it is also necessary to check whether the meat contained is freshly made or not.

Allergies are most common among dogs due to intake of some non-suitable food ingredients like fatty oils and nuts. Before providing food treat to dogs, it is must to check for the ingredient content added in food with some medical specialists especially during the period of illness. Usually foods made of high fat solids and chicken made nuts may cause harmfulness to dogs. Itâ€™s better to avoid those ingredients in order maintain healthiness for your pets. Dog bakery shops may offer food items with low pricings in order to attract customers by providing low quality ingredients, so it is necessary to consider those precautions before ordering food cakes. Hope the above said facts will be helpful for you to know about the guidelines on dog food treats.

The Devil Is In The Details - How to Compare Dog Food Ingredients

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Comparing dog food ingredients, once you look at the paragraph on the side of the bag, may seem like it requires a PHD to decipher. Protein meals, by-products and tocopherols abound. Many authorities on dog food and nutrition recommend that buyers avoid any dog food containing by-products while others eschew grain based products. Understanding dog food ingredients and their legal definitions as well as the guaranteed analysis will help you to better compare dog foods and find the best value and nutritious diet for your four legged companion.

Dog Food Ingredients Comparison 101:

The ingredients are listed on the food packaging by their weight, in descending order. Ingredients are listed on an “as fed basis,” which can make interpretation of ingredient lists difficult, as key ingredients are regularly added with differing moisture contents. Meats contain more moisture which results in greater weight per volume, and therefore they may be listed first on the ingredient list. Furthermore, while we are pleased to see the protein listed as the first ingredient, it may in actuality be third or lower on the least. Manufacturers can mislead consumers through the process of “splitting” ingredients. A label that reads:

“Turkey (natural source of glucosamine), brewers rice, corn gluten meal, poultry by-product meal (natural source of glucosamine), oat meal, whole grain wheat, corn germ meal, soy flakes, whole grain corn, soybean germ meal, animal fat preserved with mixed-tocopherols (form of Vitamin E), soybean meal...”

may actually have corn as the number one ingredient. The manufacturer has split corn into 3 ingredients: corn gluten meal, corn germ meal and whole grain corn. In addition, many other carbohydrates follow the first ingredient, Turkey, without any additional animal meats, meals or byproducts. We can suspect that this food’s protein level falls in the lower range of the 25-95% AAFCO protein requirement for pet food Formulas and Recipes.

Ingredient Definitions:

Animal Meat: AAFCO defines meat on an ingredient label as any combination of skeletal muscle meat or muscle meat found in the tongue, diaphragm, heart, and esophagus. The meat may or may not include fat, skin, sinew, nerves, and blood vessels that normally accompany muscle. Meat as an ingredient excludes feathers, hair, hooves, horns, teeth, heads, feet, and entrails.

Animal by-products: By-products are proteins that have not been heat process (unrendered) and may contain heads, feet, lungs and organ meats such as kidneys and liver. Hooves, hair, horns, teeth and feathers may not be included in this category. While many people avoid products with by-products in the ingredient list, they can be more nutritious than the muscle-meat form of the protein. Kidneys, lungs and liver are members of the by-products list and are high in nutritive value. Udders, bone and connective tissue, which may be included are relatively low in nutritive value. The ingredient list generally does not contain information on the quality of the ingredients used.

Animal Meal: You will frequently find Fish or Chicken meal listed in the first 4 ingredients of a pet food. Meal is derived from heat rendering the by-products to remove the moisture and fats from the by-product. Here is an example where the rendering process reduces the moisture and weight of this ingredient, allowing for greater actual volume of meal to meat in the formula, although the meat remains a higher level ingredient on the label.

Dried Whey: An inexpensive form of dried cow’s milk which adds protein, and has been linked with some digestive allergies.

Glutens, Brans and Hulls: Fillers that add fiber and bulk to the formula and are poor sources of protein, which may cause digestive upset.

Fruits and Vegetables: Always a rich source of natural vitamins and antioxidants, these are a big plus on the label!

Preservatives: Tocopherols are preservatives made from either Vitamin E or C or a combination of the two. They are preferred to chemical preservatives such as Ethoxyquin, BHA and BHT, which are suspect to cause chronic disease and cancer. Tocopherols are not as effective at preserving food for extended periods of time as are their chemical counterparts, especially once the seal has been broken on the packaging. Be sure to store dry food in an air tight container after opening, if your pet food is preserved with Tocopherals.

Food Additives: The following ingredients fall into the food additive category: Vitamins, Minerals, Antioxidant preservatives, Humectants (additives that retain moisture), Antimicrobial preservatives, Coloring agents (Red Dye 40 and 3, Blue dye 2 and Yellow5 are suspected carcinogens), Flavors, Palatability enhancers and Emulsifying agents.

Guaranteed Analysis:

The FDA required that manufacturers provide a guaranteed analysis on the package. The guaranteed analysis on the information panel of a pet food label lists the minimum levels of crude protein and fat (those ingredients that we would like to see more of) and the maximum levels of fiber and moisture (water) that will be found in the food (those fillers that we would like to see less of as they reduce the nutritive value of the food on a per cup basis). The protein and fat are listed as crude sources rather than as digestible sources, which can vary widely depending on whether they are from animal meats or meals. Double check the ingredient list to determine the sources of the protein and fat.

Generally speaking, foods high in fiber and lower in fat content make good choices for pets that need to lose weight. Large percentages of carbohydrates and corn in particular will cause pets to gain weight, and highly active dogs will require more protein and fat to support their increased energy levels.

How Do I Know Where These Ingredients Came From?

The US requires that the name and address of the pet food manufacturer, distributor, or dealer listed on the label. When one sees phrases such as “Distributed by…” or “Manufactured for…” or “Imported by…” we can expect that a company other than the company selling the product is the actual manufacturer of the pet food. Frequently the manufacturer is listed as a co-packer. In the US, products manufactured outside of the United States also require “Product of (country of origin).” Also required is the date of manufacture and “Expiry Date” or “Best Before Date” the date beyond which it is recommended to feed the product. Often retailers will discount products with fast approaching expiry dates. So double check those when purchasing pet food discounted on a “Manager’s Special.”

What does it all mean?

When researching ingredient lists on pet food labels, look to see at least two meat based protein sources in the first 4 ingredients on the list. Avoid pet foods that are in the practice of splitting ingredients, with individual ingredients broken down into whole grain corn, corn gluten meal, corn meal etc…Don’t pass-up products simply because they contain animal by-products. While by-products are not appetizing to most humans, they can be a rich source of nutrition.

Many vets and the FDA recommend changing or rotating your pet’s diet between several foods every 3 or 4 months; gradually swapping over to the new food over the course on one week. This can prevent deficiencies caused by dietary requirements as yet not fully known, as well as prevent the onset of allergies that can develop with overexposure to a particular ingredient in a single pet food. As you rotate your pet through several products, pay attention to weight gain or undesired weight loss as well as coat shine and skin condition. Dull coats and flakey skin indicate your pet is not getting adequate nutrition or may be developing an allergy. Remove any food creating the undesired effect from the rotation, noting which ingredients differ in that product from the more successful foods in your pets diet. By keeping track of those dietary ingredients on which your pet thrives and those that should be eliminated, you can sculpt the perfect diet for your pet’s individual needs.