Food Quality for Your Dog

By Kelly Marshall

Three and a half million unwanted dogs are put to death in this country every year, with millions more dying through starvation, disease, accidents, and abuse. Nearly a quarter of these victims are purebred dogs. It is important to learn the facts and possible consequences if you are considering breeding your dog. In todays overcrowded world, we must make responsible decisions for our pets and for ourselves. Consider the following points carefully.

Just like humans, dogs are different depending on age, breed, overall health, severity of infestation and activity level. If you are not sure what is the best recipe for your dog, please email me and include: age, weight and breed of your dog, when diagnosed and how severe of a case your dog has, list all symptoms, tell me about your pets health in general and list all vitamins/medications/herbs your dog is taking and what brand of food you are feeding. This site is not meant to diagnose or prescribe, information provided is a general guideline - for a dog with a mild to moderate case, which is in good health.

Know the typical genetic diseases for your breed. Test for them, and do not breed a dog that may pass on serious genetic disease. Do not let your love for your dog make you blind to your obligation to others. Your dog may be healthy, but may still pass on serious genetic disease. Do what you can to avoid causing heartache. Do not breed your dog if you have no information on the health and fitness of both the parents of your dog, and its prospective mate. You need more than a single generation to make a good decision.

When a dog refuses to eat or eats only a portion of the dog food he needs or what he usually eats every day will produce an imbalance in his dog nutrition. The term Anorexia is used to describe the condition when a dog refuses to eat. A dogs eating habits are normally controlled by hunger. Another thing that causes a disturbance of the dogs natural eating behavior is mechanical interruption.

It is becoming increasingly difficult for the average consumer to tell which one is the best for their pet; In particular any allergies that your dog may have. While others have a sensitivity to lamb. Through a process of trial and error you can usually find a dog food that your pet will eat. Dog owners are faced with a difficult choice when comes to the right food for their dog. Others will take the opposite view and see no reason to spend extra on a premium brand dog food. Of course we are not just talking about canned dog food. Juicy food contained in a can but it is important for them to also to chew on hard crunchy dog food such as dry kibble and dog biscuits.

Article written by Kelly Marshall from Oh My Dog Supplies - visit for dog food storage containers in every size

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How Healthy Is the Food Youre Giving Your Dog

Most people are completely aware of what commercially prepared dog food is actually comprised of, and you would be shocked to know the truth about some of the foods that are commercially available today. Your dogs health can suffer if you are feeding them the wrong food, and many commercially prepared dog food brands are simply not designed to keep a dog healthy, happy and active.

Dogs are in fact carnivores. There are situations where they will eat other foods, but that does not mean that their stable diet should not be as carnivorous as possible. The first ingredient in the dog food that you purchase should absolutely be a source of meat based protein. If the first ingredient in your commercially available dog food is a grain or a vegetable then our advise to you is to switch brands. The first five or six ingredients should be primarily meat based protein sources, like chicken, beef and turkey. Fish or rice are moderately okay choices, but primarily you want to go for natural, meaty dog food when possible.

Your dog should be eating kibble primarily. Many pet owners will opt for canned wet food, mainly due to the convenience of it, and the fact that many dogs seem to prefer it. However, there is a reason why kibble is so important: It helps keep teeth clean, and healthy, and it aids in digestion. Wet food is a nice snack, but should not be the primary source of nutrients for the dog.

Some diets are better than others. Many people are beginning to get into the concept of raw diets, and the BARF diet which stands for Bones and Raw Food. While this is an ideal diet for a lot of breeds, it is not your only option. There are kibble brands out there that provide balanced nutrition, as they are created by dog food companies that are consistently updating their recipes and formulas in order to deliver the most efficient diets available based on scientific research and studies.

Are you ready to find a balanced nutritional diet for your dog? Check the label. Anything you buy for your dog to eat, you should check the label first. Just because theres vegetables and chunks of meat on the cover of the bag, that does not mean you are getting real, natural ingredients.

The ingredients should be primarily meat sources, and the grain sources should be adequately processed for maximum absorption by the dogs digestive system. The more artificial products and chemicals you find; the less healthy and nutritious the food should be considered to be. There are a lot of excellent dog food brands.

Your best bet is to shop around for different brands, flavours and types, compare the labels in order to get to know the ingredients, and find something that you really feel comfortable feeding. Theres no harm in changing your dogs food if you find something better - Just make sure that you are always keeping your pets best interest in mind.

Derek Rogers is a freelance writer who represents a number of UK businesses. For advice on pet food, he recommends Seapets, one of the UKs leading suppliers of pet supplies.

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Alternative Pet Food

By Bill Carr

Should you be concerned about your dog or cats health these days? With all the dog and cat food companies that are recalling there food, for poisonings, you most likely should be. As a pet owner now there are limited products for your loved pets.

But there is a solution to this problem, why not cook or bake for your cats and dogs. At least you know what your putting in there pet food, and not to mention your cat and dog will enjoy there new found pet food much better than that old canned byproduct anyway.

With limited choices of what to feed your pets, more and more pet owners are feeding them table food and dinner scrapes. It is important to keep your pet healthy with a balanced meal, with the right nutrients, minerals, vitamins, and proteins for your type of cat or dog.

Its really not that hard to prepare meals and treats for your pets: There are many different recipes you can prepare for them that are healthy and good for them. Just put aside a little time each week to make your dog or cat treats, and you will be able to give them there treats for the week and the same goes for there meals, except you might have to prepare them a little more often, maybe two or three times a week just to keep it fresh. But you can prepare one batch for the whole week and freeze half of it in your freezer, provided you have the space, or if you have a kitchen vacuum sealer for moist food, dry food you can just save in a container.

Article by Bill Carr

Safe Pet Food Recipes http://www.petfoodrecipessite.com

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FDA Finds Plastic in Your Dog Food

Recent reports of wheat gluten tainted with aminopterin in commercial dog food manufactured by Menu Foods has spurred a nationwide recall of at least 95 private label and major dog food brands.

Aminopterin is a rat poison that has been used to induce abortions in the past and is prohibited for use in the United States. The aminopterin apparently found its way into the dog food via wheat gluten produced in China by a new supplier of the ingredient to Menu Foods.

As a result more than 16 pets have died to date. Reports of Kidney failure in dogs who have eaten the contaminated dog food is spreading in news flashes around the globe.

Now a new potentially fatal dog killer has been discovered in the recalled food by the FDA. Government tests have uncovered a chemical used in the manufacture of plastics in the recalled dog food.

Melamine has been discovered in tested samples of recalled dog food from Menu Foods and in the previously suspect wheat gluten. This chemical which is also utilized as a fertilizer has been discovered in the urine of sick pets and in the kidney of a pet that died.

If you buy any of the commercial dog food manufactured by menu Foods and listed at menufoods.com/recall/product_dog.html

Then you have been feeding rat poison, and now a chemical that is used to make plastics to your dog.

It should be no surprise that dogs live shorter lives than possible. In fact, dogs have a potential life expectancy of close to 25 years but most dogs live only an average of 10 years.

We stopped buying commercial dog food such as those listed in the recall years ago after we discovered skin conditions and other ailments in our dogs.

The change for the better was evident in a few short weeks as the junk in their system was replaced by healthy and nutritious foods.

Take the initiative now. Stop buying toxic poison and killing your dogs with junk that in our view is not suitable as food.

Your dog will give you a hug and be healthier for it.

Our dogs were sickly and we couldn’t figure out why. We took them off commercial dog food and are we ever glad we did. See what is in your dog food at http://www.dogs-4life.com/dog-food-that-kills.html This article may be reproduced unedited with the authors link displayed

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Dog Food Labeling Better Than Human Food Industry Claims

By M. Bruno

The dog food industry announced in a recent statement that labeling on pet and dog food is actually better than labeling requirements on food for human consumption.

This would be the best news that we have heard since the beginning of the dog food recall that has claimed the lives of thousands of dogs, while an ever growing number of dogs continue to suffer from kidney failure after eating contaminated dog food.

Let’s take a look at how the pet dog food industry supports this claim.

The dog food industry has the option of including ingredients that they deem safe and nutritious in the dog food that they produce and sell.

Some of those ingredients are:

Dead, dying, diseased and downed animals. Well, this confuses me a bit. I don’t know of any regulation permitting the inclusion of these unsuitable proteins on any human food label. The fact is that these 4Ds, can not be used in human food but are used by dog food manufacturers. Ever see those listed on a dog food label?

Rendered animal tissue, such as acquired from the remains of euthanized dogs and pets from animal shelters are used in some dog food products. Hmmm, I never saw any of that on an approved for human consumption food label.

Dog food labels often have statements that claim the dog food is complete, balanced and safe. This would be almost an impossible claim to have approved by the FDA for food destined for human consumption. But dog food manufacturers make this claim as almost as a matter of course. Just check their label.

The dog food industry is fond of pointing to the oversight of the industry by AAFCO the, Association Of American Feed Control Officials. AAFCO has no real regulatory authority and the testing of dog food is little more than a joke.

Here’s a synopsis of AAFCO testing requirements

• Eight dogs more than a year old must participate

• The dogs must be of normal health and weight

• Blood tests are taken at the inception and conclusion of the test

• No dog (of the eight participants) die or are taken off the dog food because of nutritional problems.

Results of a Successful Dog Food Tests

• At least six of the original eight dogs that began the test must complete it.

• During the test, none of the dogs used are to die or be removed because of nutritional causes.

• Six of the eight dogs starting must finish the test.

AAFCO, with no real authority conducts a test on all of eight dogs. If none die or are excluded and a very basic blood test is passed, that dog food gets the green light.

Are you willing to risk your dog’s life on the claims made by the dog food industry? Do you think that a test which will determine the safety and nutrient values of your dog food is adequate when the test involves only eight dogs?

Do you believe that the FDA should be more directly involved or is the oversight of a group such as AAFCO sufficient to assure the health and safety of your dog?

What is happening in the dog food recall is the product of the claims and performance of the dog food industry, AAFCO, and their marketing and business efforts.

Before chancing our dog’s life to the claims of dog food manufacturers that their labeling requirements are safe, that their dog food is safe, and that their industry is regulated, become an informed consumer. Spend some time and learn what your dog food label really says at http://www.fda.gov/cvm/petlabel.htm

Dog food companies claim that the products they manufacturer are safe.

Sadly, the recent dog food recall and recalls prior to this one suggest otherwise. The dog food industry has in many cases been untruthful in their sales pitch, unsavory in their ethics and have produced a product that in many instances belong in a landfill, not eaten by your dog. A few good apples exist in the commercial dog food world. Make absolutely sure that your dog food comes from one of the good guys or consider making your own dog food at home

By doing so you can make sure that the food you give your dog is truly healthy and not a potential death sentence.

Do you buy your dog food at a supermarket? Pet superstore? Online? Is it healthy and safe? Find out what’s the dog food you feed your pooch at http://www.dogs-4life.com/dog-food-that-kills.html This article may be reproduced with the authors link

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How To End Your Dogs Food Begging

Begging usually becomes a habit if you feed the dog from the table when he begs. He wont leave the table if hes reinforced for staying with tidbits. Command the dog to "settle" at the table and enforce it. Hell tire of staring up and will soon fall asleep if you dont reward him for begging. If you give the dog a scrap from the table, give it only when hes in a settle position.

Some dogs are just born optimistic, and even though they have never received food from the table, they plant themselves at the table, hoping something will fall their way. Dropped food is a good beggar reinforcement, especially if you have a child who likes to make a game of dropping food on purpose. You may choose to train the dog to settle or down-stay in another room or at a distance from the table.

The dog must never bite the hand that feeds. To make sure that he doesnt, teach him the command "easy." Offer him a treat by holding the treat in your thumb and index finger keeping your palm toward your body and your knuckles facing the dog. If the dog grabs for the treat, give him a very loud and firm command by saying "Easy". After a few rounds of this practice, he will generally take the food from your hand gently.

-- Dick Colman

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Important To Have The Right Food For Your Dog

By Dechen KsLau

We love our dogs and we want the best for them. We buy them expensive beds, toys, clothes(!?), and other accessories. It seems that there is no end to the lengths we will go to make our little friends lives better. But how do we decide which food to feed him?

To begin, there is not a single dog food that is right for every dog. Many dog foods are well-formulated and will be great for most dogs. However, those same foods may not be so good for some dogs - they may even cause gastrointestinal upset in some.

A good starting point in determining the appropriate food is your dogs stage of life. Puppies need higher amounts of calories, protein, vitamins and minerals for proper growth. If an adult dog eats a food formulated for puppies he is likely to become overweight. Senior dog foods are formulated in a way that makes it more easily digested.

Dry dog food is usually recommended more often but some dogs prefer semi-moist or canned. Moist dog food is often recommended for dogs with missing teeth or other dental problems.

Good nutrition is essential to good health. When making decisions related to the food your dog eats consider comparing nutritional labels. Some cheaper or economy brands of dog food use inexpensive ingredients, many of which are not easily digested, which of course means they do not provide the best nutrition for your dog. These foods may meet the legal specifications but many have lower-grade proteins and lower energy values.

In many cases the healthy nutrients may pass through the dogs digestive system without being absorbed. This leads to another disadvantage of feeding your dog such lower quality food - your dog will need to eat more in order to get the same amount of nutrition that he could get in a smaller amount of premium dog food. In the end you may find the economy brands cost more because you go through the bags more quickly.

Always compare the ingredients between the various brands before making a choice. The ingredients are listed by weight. The first or second ingredient listed in a quality food should be meat, fish, egg, or some type of meat meal or fish meal. These ingredients all have a high biological value. That means they have a high percentage of protein.

The "Guaranteed Analysis" is a chart that lists the percentages of various ingredients contained in that particular dog food. But keep in mind that the analysis does not take into account the amount of moisture in that food. Even dry dog foods have some moisture content.

After careful consideration make a selection. If you decide to switch from one dog food to another you will need to allow time for the transition. A gradual change will assist your dog with the adjustment to the new food choice. Plan the transition over a course of about a week or a little longer depending on your dogs acceptance of the new food.

Start by mixing three parts of the current or old dog food brand to one part of the new. Feed that mixture for 2 - 3 days. If your dog does well with that you can then mix the foods half and half. Feed the 50/50 mixture for two or three days, again depending on your dogs adjustment. You can then switch to the three parts new - one part old mixture and then make the complete switch.

By carefully selecting a quality food for your dog you will enrich and lengthen his life. That means he will be there to be your friend and companion longer - and that makes all of us happier!

Dechen KsLau is an Author, Speaker, and Consultant specializing in Internet Marketing and Puppy Lover

http://www.puppylover.us

http://www.squidoo.com/lucky-dog

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Are You Harming Your Dog with Their Dog Food Health Concerns Stemming from Commercial Dog Foods

By Cindy McKie

Do you like eating foods laced with preservatives, fillers and potentially dangerous chemicals? I’m going to take a safe guess and say no—but most dog owners serve this to their beloved pets every day.

Death Due to Dog Food

Commercial dog food health concerns are being raised as more and more people are exposing the potentially harmful practices of commercial dog food manufacturing. On Friday March 16th a major dog and cat food recall was announced by Menu Foods, the company that makes 48 brands of pet foods including Iams, Nutro and Eukanuba pet food. The Menu Foods recall was announced after it was discovered that 10 dogs and cats died and an unknown number affected from kidney failure as a result of eating these pet foods.

Do you know what’s in Your Dog’s Food?

The truth is many commercial dog foods have ingredients that would shock you.

Your Dog’s Food Could Contain:

Worms

Rancid Animal Fats

Diseased or cancerous meat

And…

Sodium Pentobarbital used to euthanize animals!

Yes, I’m sorry to tell you but dead animals could be in your dog’s dinner bowl. According to author Ann Martin, author of “Protect Your Pet” and “Food Pets Die For” it is a common practice that euthanized animals are routinely rounded up from veterinary clinics and sent to processing plants to become your dog’s food.

Now tell me—would you knowingly feed your beloved pet this type of food? Of course not! But commercial dog food health concerns stem from the fact that the manufacturers don’t have to tell you what happens to the meat before they get their hands on it.

Discover How To Feed Your Dog a Healthy, Life Enhancing Diet

The key to providing dog food health benefits is to feed your beloved pet the nutrients and vitamins they need—without the preservatives, fillers and tainted meat. Just as you take care to cook healthy meals for you and the rest of your family, you can easily create healthy recipes for your dog. Making homemade meals for your dog isn’t expensive, it isn’t difficult and it will dramatically improve the health and well being of your dog.

On the days that you may not be able to “cook” for your pet you can substitute a safe brand of kibble. You will have to study up on your pet food labels but there are a precious few commercial dog foods on the market that are designed with your pet’s health in mind…but you need to read those labels to be sure you’re giving them the correct brands.

Feed your dog a healthier, chemical free diet and they will:

Have stronger immune systems

Suffer less skin conditions

Better all over health including less chance of heart conditions and kidney failure

Live much longer

If you have a dog you know what a cherished member of the family they become. What you may not know is that you may be putting them at risk for disease and a significantly shorter life span every time you serve them their dog food. Health and happiness for your dog can be as simple as taking the time to learn the truth about commercial dog foods and learning how you can better feed your four legged friend

Cindy McKie is a freelance writer and owner of a 15 year old Bichon Frise named Molly. Learn how to start feeding your dog a healthier diet today with the 5 Free Tips to a Better Dogs Diet mini-course.

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