One of the most important decisions you can make for your furry best friend is what they eat. You would think with all the restrictions and laws on the food you or I eat, that food for your dog would be just as safe. You could not be further from the truth. It does not matter if you buy your pets food from the grocery store down the street, some designer doggy boutique, or from your local veterinarianas office. All of these places may sell food that contains animal by-products.
If you are unsure what animal by-products are, animal by-products are meat from animals that were not suitable for people to eat. If you would not eat it, why would you feed it to someone you consider being your best friend? Animal by-products can be found in many name brand pet foods, not just the cheaper brands or store brands. Another name people may call animal by-products is rendered meat.
Sources of rendered meat include animals already dead on arrival to the slaughterhouse, or animals too sick or diseased for human consumption. Even euthanized cats, dogs, horses or other animals could be used. If this meat is so bad for us, why should these same sources be appropriate for your dog?
Another thing to look out for is the preservatives used to keep the pet food from going bad. Specifically, the preservatives ethoxyquin, BHT, and BHA, are toxic. The preservatives that are better for your four legged friend are Vitamins E and C.
It is commonly suggested that a dog's diet shoudl contain 50% vegetables, 40% meat, and 10% grain or carbohydrates. When shopping for the best food for your pet, price and quality should be considered. Cheap alternatives often have less quality ingrediants than Healthy Dog Food.
One option is to purchase holistic pet food. Holistic pet foods are natural and nutritious and are a Healthy Dog Food. They have ingredients fit for human consumption. If you would not consume foods made with ingredients such as chicken beaks or toxic preservatives, do not feed it to your pet.
The best way to know exactly what you are feeding your dog is to make the food yourself. Books are availabe which contain many delicious Healthy Dog Food recipes. Your veterinarian is also a great source for the vitamins and nutrients you pet needs.
It is important to remember not all human foods are suitable for animals. Grapes and raisins cause damage to your dog's kidneys; mushrooms can be deadly; raw, cooked, or powdered garlic and onions can damage red blood cells and may cause anemia; raw fish on a regular basis may lead to thiamine deficiency, which can result in loss of appetite, seizures, and death. Many other examples of harmful human food also exist. If you are unsure whether a new food is safe for your pet, you should always ask a veterinarian first.
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Posted under Dogs
This post was written by Jenny Jordan on October 7, 2008
