How To Pick the Right Dog Food

It is very easy to ensure the foods we are feeding our pets, is appropriate for their age and lifestyle. Nutritional value is commonly printed on all petfoods today and various formulations are tailored to specific needs. Ensure that your pet food is up to standard and made from healthy products.
Petfood standards have become much higher in recent history. Why shouldn’t we take the time to be sure that the food we feed our pets is safe and nutritious? They rely on us to do the right thing. Make the effort to read and understand the nutritional value of the food we feed out pets

If you are like most dog owners, your goal is to keep your pet healthy while satisfying his appetite. But just like no two dogs are the same, there is no such thing as an ideal canine diet. Instead, owners should look take a studied look at their pets. Things such as species, activity level, age, and whether the dog is undergoing any physiological changes such as growth, pregnancy, or nursing should all be considered when deciding upon dog food.

Consider Nutrients However, there are some basic rules of thumb. First of all, pick a high-quality dog food that is rich in nutrients, including energy, protein, essential fatty acids, vitamins, minerals, and water. Pay particular attention to the protein ratio. Typically, dog food with a 20 to 30 percent protein content is ideal.

To ensure your dogs health, choose a dog food that is easily digestible. A combination of wet and dry dog food will promote healthy teeth and gums. And while it is difficult to turn down a cute and hungry dog, be wary of overfeeding. Overfeeding can lead to obesity, which can cause a number of health problems in your dog. How do you know if youve been overfeeding your dog? Just try to feel his ribs. If you cant feel them, its time to cut back a bit!

If your dog has special health or dietary issues you will want to make sure that the dog food meets your pets special needs. Check with your veterinarian if you have questions. Or look online for pet retailers who carry dog food. Many of their sites contain excellent articles and other information that can help you choose the right dog food for your pet.

High-Quality Pet Food Popular with Owners

One of todays popular trends is an increase in high-quality pet foods. As pets replace children and dogs become a part of the family, people who pamper their pooches tend to do so at mealtime as well. Just about every major brand of dog food is coming out with a high-end line, and there are also many smaller companies devoted to the manufacture of high-end, fresh, and healthy dog food. These meals are not only nutritionally balanced, they are delicious and nice to look at. Some dog foods are incorporating human-grade ingredients such as pasta, rice, vegetables, tuna fish, and peanut butter. Others are all-natural or organic.

 

Even the packaging on high-end dog food is different. Pouring dry kibble out of the bag just wont do anymore! Many high-end dog foods are now packaged in see-through deli containers. These are attractive but also functional. Owners of small dogs who cant eat the entire 10 oz. portion at once can reseal the container to keep the contents fresh.

For more advice on dogs and top-selling dog products visit Savvy Dog Lovers | Dog Supplies - where the best bones are buried.

 

 

 

Pamela Swingley

Pamela Swingley is the Pet Editor for http://www.savvy-dog-lovers.com, where you can find the best dog care products, discounts on dog supplies, dog gear reviews, and news about dogs.

She also writes for http://www.savvy-baby-gear.com, http://www.savvy-clearance.com, and is the founder of http://www.writers-site.com.

 

Obesity in Dogs

It is a pretty simple matter to ensure the foods we are feeding our pets, is appropriate for their age and lifestyle. Nutritional value is displayed on all petfoods today and various compositions are tailored to specific needs. Ensure that your pet food is up to standard and derived from healthy sources.

Other internal organs suffer as well. Obesity promotes pancreatitis among other gastrointestinal disturbances. Overweight dogs seem to suffer from more skin ailments and coat disorders than slimmer dogs. Muscle and joint disorders including intervonterbal disk disease occur much more frequently with overweight dogs.

Causes of obesity are numerous, but diet is at the top of the list. Table scraps and ‘people food’ have a much greater effect on a small animal. The wrong kind of dog food can do the same thing. Pet food manufacturers have given us a wide range of brands and formulas geared for different stages of a dogs life. Pet owners can become confused, and many just buy the name brand.

As dogs age their energy requirements drop considerably, and require senior-type diets containing high fiber and fewer calories. Growth formula dog foods should only be given to puppies and pregnant or lactating dogs. Overfeeding is another ‘common cause’ you should avoid, no matter how much they beg. Remember, overweight means poor health and shorter life.

The energy requirements will vary with each animal. You should find the ideal weight of your dog from your veterinarian, and then check the label of the dog food you are using. Feed the recommended amount for 3-4 weeks, while checking your dogs weight frequently. If a weight gain is seen, reduce the food amount, if a loss, you can increase the amount.

Your pet is counting on you for regular feedings, and it is up to you to provide the right type and the proper amount to keep them healthy.

Randy Jones

Randy Jones and his partner Brent Jones have been in the pet industry for a long time. Recently they formed Joncopets.com. On the site, customers can read articles about anything pets as well as shop for the latest small dog clothes and more for their best friend. Feel free to check out the site at http://www.joncopets.com

Pet Health And Feeding Premium Pet Products

Petfood standards have become much higher in recent history. This is rightfully so. Why shouldn’t we take the care to ensure that the food we feed our pets is safe and nutritious? They rely on us to do the right thing. It is always wise to read and understand the nutritional value of the food we feed out pets and ensure the composition is right for our pet.

The very first thing we usually encounter as new pet owners is the issue of food. What should we snatch off the shelves and what should we run away from? Introducing a young animal to the world of food should be a very delicate and sensitive process. We must monitor closely how much food we give our new pet versus how much they are eating. We should be stringent about how quickly we increase the amount of food because we always run the risk of overfeeding.

Its also important to be weary of dyes, chemicals, artificial preservatives as much as possible. For example, BHA … one of the most common synthetic antioxidant preservatives mainly used to prevent food discoloration and rancidity … has been found in scientific studies to cause stomach cancer in lab rats at certain doses. In lesser doses, the preservative doesnt have a cancerous effect but there is no telling what BHA can do to the body in small doses over long periods of time. Protein is crucial in a pets natural development. Look for foods with whole ingredients such as meat, eggs, fish and dairy rather than byproducts. Unbleached rice is also one of the most digestible carbohydrates and supplies a wonderful source of energy for your pet. Corn and wheat, on the other hand, are much harder to digest. Its also a really good idea to look for antioxidants. In recent years, we have become much more conscious of our antioxidant intake, so why shouldnt we have the same attitude towards our pets? Free radicals also wage war on their bodies so lets fight off those rascals so that we can all live longer together! Treats can be used to enhance the human-animal bond and to reward pets on good deeds and behavior. Theyre a fantastic training tool. Our whole philosophy on giving treats is that if were going to reward our pets, why not reward their taste buds, their minds and their bodies? The idea is to bestow treats with a purpose, not just a biscuit stuffed with artificial flavor and vacant calories. Did you know that there are edible dog bones out there made with so called ‘edible’ plastic? The companies claim this is perfectly safe. Best believe there are plenty of bones out there with other questionable ingredients. When you are feeding premium pet food, it only makes sense to feed wholesome, premium treats and bones.

Lori Matthews

Lori Matthews studies health, nutrition and wellness. Enjoys writing articles on health for both people and pets. Please visit quality premium dog food for more information.

Diamond Brand Dog Food

Diamond Brand Dog Food Gets Rave Reviews

In a world where the variety of dog foods available is huge, it can be hard to choose the right food for your best friend. It is helpful if you know what brands are trusted by veterinarians, breeders, and those who show their dogs or participate in sporting trials. Diamond Brand Dog Food is made by one of the nation’s top pet food manufacturers and its quality has been trusted by pet experts for many years.

Which Type Of Diamond Brand Dog Food Is Right For Your Dog?

Diamond brand dog food comes in many forms. The first step in deciding which of the line of Diamond brand dog foods is right for your canine companion is to determine if you dog has any special dietary needs. Is your dog aging? Does he have arthritis? Is your dog overweight? Has your dog been recently ill? All of these questions can help you narrow down the specific type of Diamond brand dog food that is right for your dog.

If you have a puppy, you must keep in mind that the nutritional needs of young dogs are much different than the nutritional needs of older dogs. The first feeding issues puppies deal with is the fact that they don’t have their adult teeth. Typically puppy food comes in much smaller bite sized pieced and has a softer texture than adult dog food.  Puppies are growing at such a rapid rate that they need to sustain their energy by eating a food that is high in protein and even fat. It is important to give them a full bodied puppy food that isn’t full of unhealthy fillers. Diamond brand dog food makes several different varieties of puppy food.

Some dogs prefer hard, dry food over canned food. Other canine companions prefer soft wet food. Diamond brand dog food makes both. Wet food is great for older dogs that have trouble chewing their food and it mixes well with dry dog food to give it a bit more texture. If you are unsure which type of food is best for your breed and age of dog, consult with your vet before you purchase both kinds of food. The best part about Diamond brand dog food is that it is a great value for your money. It has consistently remained a high quality dog food while managing to stay affordable. The price of Diamond brand dog food makes it easy to stick with your budget

Dog Food Recipes

The Basic Ingredients in Dog Food Recipes

If you’re like most dog owners, you’re concerned about what your canine is consuming. With the recent pet food recalls, more people are scrutinizing pet food before they scoop some more kibble into the dog’s dish.

We’ve all heard the news reports about dogs that have died because of unsafe additives and the apparently accidental inclusion of lethal toxins in their food. Yet, that isn’t the only reason dog owners are considering alternatives for their faithful companion’s diet. The rising cost of veterinary care makes it important to maintain a dog’s health. An increasingly popular option to insure your dog is eating both safe and healthy food is to check out the many available dog food recipes.

Preparing Dog Food Recipes

If the idea of cooking for your canine seems daunting, don’t despair; most of the dog food recipes are easy to prepare. Many recipes call for ordinary food like lean beef, potatoes and vegetables. If that sounds like food you may prepare for yourself, you’re right; most dog food recipes are created with the idea that dogs have thrived on human fare for thousands of years. It’s only been within the past hundred years that dog owners have been told that food on their table is off limits to their dogs. Yet, a closer inspection of the ingredients on a bag of kibble should convince many dog owners that they could do better in their own kitchen.

No, you don’t have to be a culinary expert to whip up one of these main courses or treats; all you need is a little time and a determination to give your dog the best possible food. Of course, consideration must be applied to determine the vitamin and fat content of any dog food recipe you try.

What are the Basic Ingredients?

The first “ingredient” is motivation. Owners need to have a strong desire to provide a safer and healthier choice of food for their dogs. Using proven dog food recipes gives owners peace of mind concerning the safety of the food. They won’t have to check product recall lists or monitor their dogs for possible adverse reactions to contaminated food. Also, many veterinarians are tracing canine illness and disease to a diet that consists of processed food.

The next ingredient is time. Yes, it does take a little more time to cook for your canine, rather than pour kibble in a bowl. But considering the hours of joy a dog brings us every day, this factor could easily be viewed as a labor of love.

Puppies Starved

Dead puppies were neglected
Humane society considering charges
 
Sonja Puzic
Windsor Star
Thursday, February 21, 2008
The Windsor-Essex County Humane Society is considering charges against the owners of a couple of neglected puppies who were found dead.
 
The Windsor-Essex County Humane Society is contemplating charges against the owners of two puppies found dead - starved, with wood fragments in their stomachs - in a Tuscarora Street home Wednesday.

The society’s executive director John Roushorne said the cause of the puppies’ deaths was obvious.

“There is no question it was a result of neglect,” he said. “We did a full necropsy (post-mortem examination) on them this morning (Thursday) and their stomachs not only had no food in them, they were full of things like wood they tried to chew to get some nourishment.”

Several dogs were also seized from the home after the humane society received a complaint.

Roushorne would not say how many people may be charged with animal cruelty.

“It could prejudice what we decide to do later,” he said. The society may be able to provide more information about the case today, once a decision is made about the charges, he added.

In Ontario, punishments for those convicted of animal cruelty range from fines and bans on pet ownership to jail time.

In June 2007, the former owner of A.K., the puppy found with his ears cut off on a Sandwich Street balcony, was charged with seven animal cruelty counts under the Criminal Code.

It is alleged Rony Salman cut off A.K.’s ears to make him look more menacing. A.K., who was later adopted by a young Windsor couple and renamed Kasen, became the poster dog for the issue of animal cruelty nation-wide. His mutilation prompted calls for tougher animal protection laws in the province.

Salman is facing trial Sept. 8.