Do You Know What to Avoid on the Dog Food Label?

Before you can choose a dog food, you have to know what to look for and what to avoid.

If you're at all confused by all the dog foods out there, you're in good company.

The natural pet foods market increases by at least 10 new brands a year and the array of choices is bewildering.

Why go natural?

Most commercial pet foods are a combination of agricultural waste--which includes diseased and rancid animal parts and chemical additives. Artifical colors and flavors are added to make it taste and look better. And then bake it all at a really high heat to destroy whatever vitamins and minerals were there, put it in a bag or can and call it dinner.

Yum.

Now you know why pet food smells so crummy.

And the nutritional value isn't so great either.

The rate of chronic diseases in our pets is increasing every year. A lifetime of chemicals are proving very toxic.

Unless it’s a real premium,all-natural blend, you’re most likely feeding your darling pet hooves, beaks and feathers— under the name of animal byproducts--and lots of chemicals. That can’t be good for anyone.

And even if you think you’re feeding your dog a good quality food, check the label.

Chances Are, It Isn’t as Good
as You Think

Why not?

Because the pet food industry isn’t held to high standards and even the more premium foods can get away with including agricultural waste and lots of chemical additives.

But There’s Hope

New natural pet foods are being made that really are all natural; i.e. no gross animal products, and few, if any chemicals.

The newsletter Whole Dog Journal puts out an annual round up of dry and canned foods that pass their stringent tests. The 2007 Dry Foods list had over 40 brands that met their requirements. Just to name a couple there were California Natural Dog Food, Eagle Select Holistic and Newman's Own Organics. You can find these in upscale pet shops or order online.

What Should You Avoid?

Avoid these harmful preservatives in your pet's dog food:
• BHT, buylated hydroxytoluene --thought by some scientists to be a cause of liver damage
• BHA: butylated hydroxyanisole-- a carcinogen
• propylene glycol--perservative--known to cause illness in dogs
• EQ ethoxyquin --found to cause liver tumors in newborn mice

Some of these may contribute to the rise in cancer. (You might want to try to watch out for it in your own food too.)

Also, Look for "animal byproducts", which can be anything "left over" from processing;
•hooves
•bones
•animal carcasses and other things deemed unfit for human consumption. Including diseased parts.

What Should You Look For?

When reading the label, you want to make sure that meat is the first ingredient. Ingredient labels list in order of largest amount to smallest. And, be aware if your pet is showing allergic reactions to a particular kind of meat.

You want also don’t want a lot of fillers like cornmeal to be real prominent in the ingredient list. You should know that wheat and corn allergies are fairly common among dogs due to the large amounts of filler used in many brands.

Look for high protein content, over 20%. You'll want to experiment to see what works best for your dog(s). Remember that it can take up to a month before it "kicks in", or before signs of improvement or sickness (if allergies) shows up.

The best source is a health food store or premium pet shop, online or offline. Also consider adding raw foods and vegetables to your pet's diet.

And if you have a "special needs" dog; allergies, kidney problems, joint difficulties, etc. there's a dog food for your pet.

Interested in the Whippet view on tasty food?

High Quality Dog Food for hard to find dog food for your pet.