Dog Food

Organic Dog Food
The demand for organic dog food is increasing every year, realize what the buzz is all about and then make a decision if you wish to go for organic.
Raw Dog Food
Raw dog food doesn't sound that interesting, but the truth is that it is more natural and Vets are now discovering that processed food may not be so healthy for your pet.
Choosing the Best Dry Dog Food
Your dogs fitness and well being depends on the superiority of his food, here are some things you should know when choosing a dog food brand for your pet.
A Bit about Diabetic Dog Food
If your dog has been diagnosed with diabetes, there are foods you can feed him. Here are some instructions on getting food he likes and how to keep him healthy.
Does Your Dog Have A Dog Food Allergy?
Learn about the symptoms of a dog food reaction and what you can do if your dog has one.

Why the Demand for Organic Dog Food Has Grown?

By 2003 the sale of organic pet food was $14 million. This had been increased of 63% from the earlier year. In fact the increase has been more than 3 times that for human organic food sales. The cause why so many pet owners are now purchasing both organic dog food and cat food is simple really. They do not include any preservatives, pesticides, hormones as well as no anti-biotic. Another motivation as to why more and more owners are looking to purchase organic dog food is that is hypoallergenic, which means it contains no wheat gluten that can cause both skin or digestive disorders due to an allergic reaction.

Plus many owners believe that by using of organic food their pets is that they are more likely to have less medical problems. So though it costs two times as much as regular dog food they feel that they will be saving money when it comes to a vet's bill. So if you are deciding to toggle your beloved canine over to organic food then have a discussion to your vet first. They will be able to offer you with recommendations and where you can also purchase your organic dog food from.

There are many pet stores, supermarkets and online websites where you will be able to purchase organic dog food from. Many of the products being sold contain cranberries which were found to be successful in preventing urinary tract infections as they contain anti-adhesion. In fact many manufacturers today have now integrated some form of cranberry into their food, whether it is as a powder, juice or even whole cranberries.

So if you are taking into consideration of changing your animal's food to organic dog food in the future then talk to your vet first. Then take a look at your local stores or the internet to find the right product for your dog.

Reasons for Providing Your Dog with Raw Dog Food

A number of vets are now starting to become conscious that processed pet food is the main cause of numerous illnesses and premature deaths in dogs and cats today. In a paper published in the British Journal of Small Animal Practice in 1995 it contended that processed pet food not only suppresses the resistant system but also leads to liver, kidney, heart and many other diseases. This is why today more than ever you will find owners are referring to give their pet raw dog food as an alternative.

In order for a dog to remain in good physical shape needs live foods in its body. These live foods be full of enzymes (little protein molecules) which are necessary for them to digest food appropriately. They also stimulate the brain; provide them with cellular energy as well as repair tissues, organs and cells. But it helps with a lot of other functions within the dog's body that are so diverse it is difficult to name them all.

However the most important thing about using raw dog food is that it must be well planned and balanced with the correct selection of raw food ingredients included. It should supply them with all the nutritional components which are essential to keep their organs and systems of their body functioning in unison. This in turn will help to avoid disease and aid in the healing procedure.

If you are deciding to modify your pet's diet to a raw food one then you may want to think about including some enzymes into it. Unfortunately processed pet foods because of the heat that is considered necessary to manufacture it will often destroy these enzymes. By adding digestive enzymes to a raw food diet it will help them to absorb nutrients much more effectively. One such product you could think of including is "Shake'N'Zyme" by Dancing Paws. This product ensures that the digestive system is working at its optimum level and those nutrients are absorbed efficiently.

One particularly good raw dog food is called the BARF diet. This contains mainly of raw meaty bones, pulped vegetables and fruits which are mixed with raw organ meats (liver, heart & kidney). It should also include garlic, yogurt and raw eggs. Added to this should be supplements which will provide your dog with necessary fatty acids. These supplements include cod liver oil, fish body oil, olive oil or flax seed oil or ground flax seed meal. Also you will need to include other supplements with your raw dog food which contain Vitamins C and E (such as kelp powder or brewers yeast (which is a great source of Vitamin B).

Things to think about when choosing a Dry Dog Food

Whenever you are looking at choosing a dry dog food there are a number of features that you will need to consider first.

1. Is the formula you have chosen the right one for its proper life stage? So is it for a puppy, adult or senior one.
2. Have you chosen the right sort of formula which is specially designed for the size of your dog or puppy?
3. Has it been approved by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) and so meets their mandatory standards.
4. Was this particular food suggested to you by your veterinarian?
5. Look for a dry dog food that you know will be dependable where the ingredients included are concerned.
6. Also look for a food that only uses high quality ingredients.

Unfortunately the ingredients contained in dry dog food vary greatly from product to product. Most of them however are soybean, corn or rice based. But the superior quality foods will also contain meats, chicken or fish meal and this will be shown as main ingredients in the manufactured goods. You may even find a dry dog food that contains no grains or is completely organic.

So when choosing a dry dog food why not talk to a breeder that you know and trust and ask them what they would suggest feeding yours. Unfortunately there are some breeds of dogs that have particular nutritional problems which can only be addressed using the right sort of diet. But above all else the type of dry dog food you use will ultimately depend on what they find tasty rather than just what is the best for them. Some of the best approved brands that are on the AAFCO list of dry dog foods available are Hill's Science Diet, Iams, Eukanuba and Waltham Food Products. But it may be wise to consult with your vet which of these dry dog food products they specially recommend.

Also check the label to see if there is contact information relating to the manufacturer's name, address and telephone number. This is significant as you should be able to contact them in order to get answers to any questions you may have relating to their product. Although many will not tell you just how much liver they include in their product they should be able to tell you how much of any particular nutrient is integrated in their dry dog food. So don't be frightened to ask, bear in mind your dog's physical condition is just as essential as yours!

Diabetic Dog Food for Dogs with Diabetes

Unfortunately where diabetes is concerned with your dog only the vet can diagnose if they have it. However, should your dog be diagnosed with diabetes there are many types of diabetic dog food now available which can help them?

What is most important with any dog suffering from diabetes is that their owners are consistent. This means feeding them the same amount of food at the same time each day. Also owners must ensure that the dog's weight is correct for its breed and that they have moderate exercise each day.

But should your dog be overweight then you must provide a professional high quality food only and not that found in your local supermarket as it does not contain enough nutrients. Also the manufacturers may change the ingredients within the product from batch to batch.

The commercial diabetic dog foods are particularly good as the ingredients included within them are consistent. But you may need to try a number of different formulas before you will find the one that your dog will eat. Many of these diabetic dog foods have been specially designed to provide the animal with energy. This comes in the form of high quality proteins, fats and complex carbohydrates. They will include insoluble fiber which helps to slow down the dog's digestion providing them with bulk. Whilst the soluble fiber in these foods acts as a nutrient in the large bowel because of it's fermentation by bacteria to short chain fatty acids and so removing them from the dog's system more easily.

The reasons as to why so many owners choose to use diabetic dog food for their pets with diabetes are as follows:-

1. They are highly palatable to the dog.
2. It is a complete diet so there is not need for the inclusion of supplements.
3. They contain elevated levels of viscous soluble and non-soluble fiber in ratio which is effective in supporting the treatment of Diabetes.
4. They will have a restricted fat content.
5. They will contain enhanced vitamins and minerals.
6. They will also contain an enriched anti-oxidant cocktail for highly effective treatment of the dog's diabetes.

So if you discover that your dog is suffering from diabetes then discuss with your vet the most appropriate type of diabetic dog food that you can use. As this will help to ensure that your beloved animal has a long and happy life.