Dogs have been our closest companions for over 15 000 years. However, it was not until 150 years ago that someone had the idea to produce a food specifically for dogs. And this early venture into commercializing dog food was hardly a runaway success. It was only after WWII that people really bought into the idea of buying food specifically for their dogs.
So what were dogs fed for the thousands of years before then? The truth is they were pretty much left to scrounge or hunt for their own meals. Occasionally, they may have been thrown a bone from the master’s table or given a treat by a kindly soul.
As dogs became more popular as pets, they would have been fed more regular meals by their human guardians. These meals though would still have been table scraps, perhaps supplemented by some dry or tinned dog food.
With the advent of the information age, there has been an explosion of television programs, websites and magazines about dogs. People have become more informed about dog nutrition, and more concerned about dog health.
There have been volumes written on canine nutrition, as well as the introduction of premium and super premium dog food brands. Add to that things like the raw dog food diet and it's easy to see why the average person can become quite confused about the best food for their dog.
So, what is the best food to feed a dog?
Well, depending on who you listen to, it could be anything from raw meat and vegetables, cooked homemade meals, or a premium, vet-approved brand of kibble.
The important thing is balance. Dogs are omnivores, and they need to be fed a diet that reflects that. Most raw food proponents accept that, premium kibble brands strive for it, and if you’re cooking for your dog you need to take it into account.
Strive for a three way split between meat, veggies and fiber. But if you’re going to err in any direction, feed a higher percentage of meat.
While good canine nutrition is important you obviously have to balance this with your time availability. If time is an issue then the safest route is to opt for a high grade, premium or super premium dog food.
There are many variants available, so be sure to choose the right one from puppy, senior, lite, large breed etc. Some even cater to the nutritional needs of specific breeds.
What you should definitely avoid is the cheap commercial dog food brands, while feeding table scraps is another no-no.
Most of the brands you find on the supermarket shelves fall into this category. They often have grain as their primary component and are therefore lacking in the nutrients needed in a healthy canine diet. There is also evidence to suggest that some of the colorings and preservatives used may be behind a whole catalog of ailments and diseases.
Table scraps are also not ideal for dogs. Generally these will be high in fat and contain things like onions and garlic, which are harmful. If you feed your dog from the table you're also likely to end up with a persistent beggar on your hands.
To learn more about best dog food, dog care, dog training and other interesting dog advice drop by at dogsanddogtraining.com
Filed under Pets at Home by 
Too few dog owners pay attention to what they feed their dogs. For many, it's just a case of whatever is on special at their local supermarket, without any consideration for what the food contains. Many would be shocked to know that some of the ingredients, flavorants and colorings may actually be harmful to their dog.
Not only that, but in many cases buying cheap is actually a false economy, as I’ll explain later.For now, lets just concentrate on ways to select a healthy, good quality dog food for your dog.
Dogs are omnivores and require both meat and vegetables in their diet. The ratio between the two should be about 50/50 with no additional fillers. How do you know if a particular brand of kibble meets this requirement? You read the label.
Unfortunately, labels sometimes appear to be written in a foreign language, so here's a short-cut to finding out what you need to know. Just look at the first five listed ingredients, and if they are meat based products, the food will probably meet your dog's nutritional needs.
It's not that grains are bad for your dog, just that they are better fed whole. Grains like rice, millet, oats and barley are actually a rich source of fiber, but the grains contained in dry dog food are primarily there as filler, and contain minimal nutritional value.
The other things you should look out for are preservatives and artificial flavors and colorings – a quality dog food will not contain any of these. If preservative are present, take particular note of what kinds of preservatives are used. Chemical preservatives can cause cancer, so rather go a product that uses natural preservatives, like Vitamin E and C.
All this checking of labels can be a bit of a bind after a while though, so why not just cut to the chase. Buy a premium or super premium dog food brand and you can be almost certain that it will give your dog the optimum level of nutrition he needs.
Now you may be thinking that these products are exorbitantly priced but as with most things, you get what you pay for. Remember earlier when I said that buying cheap is a false economy. Here’s why.
Cheap dog food brands use sub-standard ingredients that are low in nutritional value. This means you have to give your dog more food to meet his nutritional needs. Feeding more inevitably leads to obesity, obesity leads to disease, disease leads to expensive visits to the vet, and your dog living a shorter, less fulfilling life.
Feeding a premium brand means you can feed smaller quantities, so that expensive brand of kibble last longer and also passes quality nutrition to your dog. Your dog will also pass less waste, so there's less for you to pick up!
Hopefully this article has illustrated why you should always feed your dog the best dog food you can afford. But quite aside from the health benefits, your dog deserves it.
Read more about best dog food, dog care, dog walking and other useful dog info at dogsanddogtraining.com
Filed under Pets at Home by
Understanding how to select the right food for your animal is an integral part of being a pet owner. Your animal depends on you for heat, comfort and ease and sustenance, so you'll want to be able to give him the perfect alternatives.
For many people, having the best dog food means carefully researching and reading the labels. Some of the brands utilized on labels are scientific and extremely complex, but a rapid Search will often reveal the everyday usage term or explain what the ingredient means.
In case you are selecting among a few totally different makers of dog supplies, you could potentially buy a can of each, take them home and then explore precisely what is in every single can of dog food.
For those who have friends or family with quite healthy looking and satisfied animals, you need to see what is included in their pet’s diet regime and emulate this. Word of mouth is definitely an superb way to find out about a very good dog food.
Including dry dog food and bones into your dog’s diet regime is very important. This is really because your pet’s teeth should chew on hard substances when getting clean.
You should also consider serving your puppy a raw egg almost daily, as this may help make your animal’s coat quite soft and shiny.
Health supplements are widely-used by a lot of people who are concerned that the correct nutritional value are probably not provided effectively in commercial food. Before you give your puppy a supplement, you need to check with your vet for getting expert advice. Your vet might recommend a certain supplement based on your dog’s age and size.
A number of makers that are very popular with dog owners include pedigree, pal and nestle. If you can’t find a brand that you want, consider homemade dog food as an option as this provides excellent benefits for your pooch.
Filed under Pets at Home by
Exactly what is the most suitable dog food for your pet? That is a question of the majority of pet owners. Of course you want to learn about best dog food for your dog!
Pet owners should consider what type of food is finest for them when purchasing food for their dogs. We all agree with the fact that the very best food for consumption has only some additives and preservatives.The exact same preference really should also be relevant to our pet dogs.Concerned pet owners genuinely go out of their approach to have a look at the components in dog foods and rule out the dog foods that contain the harmful ingredients.That is as far as most buyers get.
We want our pets to stay for a lengthy time, not our pet food! So what can we do?
To Find out the very best Dog Food is an Effort: Finally, an answer to the question what is the best dog food.
Dr. Gís:
Dr. Gís Fresh Pet Food, recently included in Entire Dog Journal finest pet food for 2011, is created whenever you order it, and sent straight to your house, not to a warehouse. Fresh Pet Food made by Dr. Martin Glinsky is delivered straight away after the pet food is made to assure freshness and quality with every order. When you place your order, the dog food is prepared and cooked, the UPS delivers at your home within 48 hours after preparation.
The pet food of Dr. G's has only the freshest and natural contents of blueberries, brown rice and real chicken!. Dr. G's Pet foods is also endorsed by TV host and celebrity Warren Eckstein who heads The Pet Show.. Knowing that Dr. G's pet foods comprise only all natural ingredients assures us of our dog's safety and nutrition.. You donít have to have a dictionary of chemical terms to figure out what you are feeding your pet!Try out the New Life's Abundance:
Life's Abundance is another choice of safe dog food for your favorite canine. It also contains only all natural components just like Dr. G's Pet Foods.. Lifeís Abundance was made by a holistic veterinarian named Dr. Jane Bicks. This all natural dog food can even brew up a meal for dogs with allergic reactions, weight problems and other requests.For your dogs long and healthy life, feed them only all natural dog food from Life's Abundance. This is made fresh with only all natural ingredients that will be healthy for all dogs. Life's Abundance dog food contains all natural ingredients that has only human-quality ingredients. Other dog food manufacturers add some preservatives giving longer shelf life to the dog foods however compromise the quality of the dog food.Breakfast in a can for your favorite canine is provided by Life's Abundance. It has many recipes that your dog will love. It tastes like your own omelet breakfast, but this time for your dog! Their Chicken and Crab Dinner in Sauce includes organic chicken, crab, eggs, carrots, red skin potatoes, peas, and apples, in a savory sauce.
Life's Abundance won't compromise quality and does not incorporate any gluten, soy or corn. There's no by-products in any of the dog foods. There's a complete meal with meat, fruits and vegetables in every supply of Life's Abundance. There's a mix of apples, ginger, pumpkin. cloves for antioxidants and chicken for protein. Your dog will surely thank you when you give them either Dr. G's or Life's Abundance. It's definitely the best dog food available.
Filed under Pets at Home by
The majority, who actually worry about the healthiness of their dog, are searhing for different options to give them the perfect dog food possible. Not surprisingly, making your dog’s food could be a great way to ensure that you reduce their contact with unsafe compounds and pesticides.
If you are going to generate home made dog food, you have to be cautious to ensure that your puppy receives the precise ratio of protein, carbohydrates and nutrients. It would be a great idea to check with your vet to be sure this is the case before starting your new feeding regime.
Having your dog to have a shiny coat, strong teeth and shiny eyes is extremely easy if you feed them a respectable diet. The major and most important compound in the homemade pet food recipe is, naturally, meat.
Pet nutrition is important. You ought to ideally take into account feeding your dog raw meat. If you cook meat for your pet, most of the vitamins and minerals can be dropped in the course of the food preparation course of action. When you supply your dog raw meat, it might take them some time to grow to be at home with the flavors, particularly when they have only ever eaten canned dog food. Not surprisingly, some dogs will at once enjoy their brand-new diet regime.
Most people will include an egg in the homemade recipe, and this provides a fantastic method to obtain additional protein and keep your dog’s coat rather gleaming. Parts are very important also, so you can include liver and kidneys when possible. Its also wise to include roughage in your dog’s diet. Veggies can be mixed in raw, or, if your dog is reacting, you could easily steam them. You may include garlic, yogurt, herbs and pureed vegetables using the raw meat to produce a beautiful, homemade option for your pet.
Filed under Pets at Home by
