ArticlesBase.com - Free Articles Directory
Free Online Articles Directory
07.10.2008 Sign In Register Hello Guest
Email:
Password:
Remember Me 
forgot your password?


How to Choose Healthy Dog Food for Your Pet

Author: Sylvia Dickens Author Ranking Blue | Posted: 24-07-2008 | Comments: 0 | Views: 2 | Rating:  (125) Article Popularity - Blue (?) Got a Question? Ask.
Sign Up Now!
Is healthy dog food a myth? You've probably wondered, since hearing about the recent dog food recalls. Pet lovers like you fear that their dogs will suffer like so many others that ate food containing dangerous ingredients - wheat gluten and a product used in the production of plastics.

If you're like other dog owners, you're taking a much closer look at those dog food labels. They claim to offer the top quality, balanced diet for your pet, but how can you know if it's true? How do you guarantee that your dog eats only healthy food? Is it even possible to get healthy dog food from manufacturers now?

It has become tougher to find inexpensive healthy dog food. They use high levels of preservatives and take a lot of processing that destroys nutrients. Many use filler to make up the quantity but it does nothing for quality. The most common fillers are wheat and corn. Dogs don't need corn. In fact, it can be slow to digest, giving your dog no nutrients whatsoever.

Corn and wheat can also trigger allergies in some dogs. Any grain product should include the entire grain so your dog gets all the benefits including fiber, vitamins and minerals. Look for rolled oats, barley, millet and brown rice as these will provide the best nutritional value.

When you read the dog food label, look for those with the best ingredient ratio, which is 40% meat, 50% vegetables and 10% grains. The items are listed in order of quantity. You'll want to make sure meat is at the top of the list.

Watch out for meat by-products as this can include indigestible parts of the animals such as feet and beaks. Also, be aware of manufacturers who list meat as the main product, and then follow it with meat by-products. This alters the nutritional ratio significantly.

Did you know that Vitamins A and B make good preservatives? Look for labels that list these instead of the cancer-causing chemical preservatives BHA, BHT and Ethoxyquin.

Choose a good quality, reputable dog food rather than economy brands as the premium food will contain ingredients of higher nutritional value.

Keep in mind that your dog might benefit more from a specific type of dog food, rather than a one-for-all brand. While both types of food offer value, some dogs have additional needs. Factors include your breed's inherited health risks, your dog's activity levels and any other underlying conditions that require certain dog food nutrients.

If you want to ensure your dog receives only healthy dog food, you can make it yourself. There are many recipes available online and in dog recipe books. Run an Internet search and you're sure to find a wealth of choices. Look for dog-related forums. People love to go online and chat about their favorite subject - their pets - and share recipes.

Knowing how to read dog food labels will help you to identify the best product for your pet, but you can't beat homemade for your peace of mind and to provide the best nutritional and healthy dog food to your beloved best friend.
Rate this Article: Current: 0 / 5 stars - 0 vote(s).

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/how-to-choose-healthy-dog-food-for-your-pet-495282.html

Print this Article Print article   Email to a Friend Send to friend   Publish this Article on your Website Publish this Article   Send Author Feedback Author feedback  
About the Author:

Sylvia Dickens is an award-winning journalist who is also a lifelong dog owner. You can read more Dog Training tips on her site. Pick up your free copy of her latest booklet, "Unveiling the Myths & Mysteries of Owning a Puppy"

Submitting articles has become one of the most popular means of generating quality backlinks and targeted traffic to your website. Join us today - It's Free!

Article Comments

Comment on this article Comment on this article
Your Name
Your Email:
Comment Body
Enter Validation Code: Captcha


Related Articles

A Canine Culinary Evolution
By: Louise Green | 09/03/2008 | Pets
Pet related articles, find free content for your pet related web sites or pet related newsletters. Submit your pet related articles for free syndication.

Dog Food Ingredients - The Not So Healthy Ones
By: Lori Matthews | 09/05/2008 | Pets
Pet related articles, find free content for your pet related web sites or pet related newsletters. Submit your pet related articles for free syndication.

A Healthy Diet for your Dog of Any Breed
By: Sarah Hamond | 17/03/2007 | Pets
Pet related articles, find free content for your pet related web sites or pet related newsletters. Submit your pet related articles for free syndication.

Increase Your Dog's Life Span
By: Jane Dinunzio | 17/06/2008 | Pets
Pet related articles, find free content for your pet related web sites or pet related newsletters. Submit your pet related articles for free syndication.

Healthy Pet Food Tips
By: Jane Dinunzio | 01/07/2008 | Pets
Pet related articles, find free content for your pet related web sites or pet related newsletters. Submit your pet related articles for free syndication.

Nutritional Needs For Different Dog-types
By: Justin Bryce | 30/05/2006 | Pets
Pet related articles, find free content for your pet related web sites or pet related newsletters. Submit your pet related articles for free syndication.

Weaning Puppy Procedure
By: John Mailer | 02/02/2007 | Pets
Pet related articles, find free content for your pet related web sites or pet related newsletters. Submit your pet related articles for free syndication.

When Should You Take Your Dog To The Veterinarian?
By: Russ Hancock | 12/07/2008 | Pets
Pet related articles, find free content for your pet related web sites or pet related newsletters. Submit your pet related articles for free syndication.

Got a Question? Ask.

Ask the community a question about this article:

Q&A Powered by:
Powered by Yedda 

Latest Pets Articles

Why Do Waterfowlers Love Cork Duck Decoys?
By: Art Gib | 07/10/2008
Just putting cork duck decoys in the water is worth the price as these are heirloom quality decoys with construction and paint features make them they envy of duck hunters everywhere.

Editing Seeing Red - Secret Communication of Reef Species
By: James M. Lawrence | 07/10/2008
An international team of researchers has discovered that many coral reef fishes have the unexpected ability to display red fluorescence in daytime conditions and in waters without natural red light from the sun. Heads, eyes, and fins are the body regions that fluoresce most intensely, and it is surmised that the flashing of color is important in silent underwater communication between aquatic species.

Mastering Your Aquarium Microcosm
By: James M. Lawrence | 07/10/2008
Selecting the right or wrong fish species for a home aquarium can spell success or dismaying failure. Here are 7 questions to ask before buying and stocking a new aquarium fish, with advice from Scott Michael, aquarium author and former aquarium store owner.

Save Time and Money, Order Your Pet Products Online!
By: David Bowen | 07/10/2008
It is no secret that we live in a fast paced and high tech world today, and when we have the opportunity to find anything that will offer us even just a little bit of convenience, we consider it to be a huge plus.

Dog Breeds
By: Felix | 07/10/2008
There are over 800 dog breeds known until today, every breed with special abilities and look. It’s very important that the future owner of the dog or puppy should know all the details about grooming, overview information’s ,character , coat, ownership and activity information’s.

Anxious Dog Chewing: Causes and Solutions
By: Art Gib | 06/10/2008
Most dogs go through periods of anxiousness, anxiety, and teething that may cause them to chew on anything they wrap their mouths around. There are many causes for this, and likewise, there are many solutions.

Feline Kidney Diet- For The Cat With Kidney Problems
By: Gloria Gangi | 06/10/2008
Does your cat have a kidney problem? Then you are not only going to need to learn more cat information in general so that you can comprehend the animal better but as well you are going to need to produce a proper feline kidney diet.

“poodle Puppy Training the Easy Way in 5 Simple Steps”
By: Robert Sims | 06/10/2008
Let’s make it fun for you and the new member of your family…”Your beautiful Poodle Puppy”. Just follow the 5 simple and easy to apply steps listed below and you’ll have yourself a well balanced, loving and sociable dog in the future.

More from Sylvia Dickens

How to Stop Dog Barking From Separation Anxiety
By: Sylvia Dickens | 24/08/2008 | Pets
If your dog barks the moment you leave the house, it's extremely likely that your dog suffers from separation anxiety. To stop dog barking from separation anxiety, it helps to understand what your dog might have experienced to cause it. Then, you can work to stop the barking.

How to Effectively Remove Dog Urine Odor
By: Sylvia Dickens | 23/08/2008 | Pets
Dog urine odor problems? You'll be pleased to know you don't have to put up with obnoxious dog urine odors around your house. There are several steps you can take to quickly, easily and effectively remove dog urine odor from your carpets, floors and yard. Here's how.

Your Dog Health Care Must Include Annual Rabies Shots
By: Sylvia Dickens | 21/08/2008 | Pets
Some owners mistakenly believe that their dogs do not need to have rabies vaccines. Others think that they only need to get them every 2-3 years. What they don't realize is that from the moment the shot is given, the vaccine begins to lose it's strength. Within as little as 6 months your dog could be at risk. After one year, you are taking a big chance with your dog's life.

6 Secret Foods for Instant Stress Relief
By: Sylvia Dickens | 01/08/2008 | Health
Stress foods can be good or bad, depending on your choices. If you reach for the donuts when you're stressed, you'll make things worse. Choose the right alternatives, and you can easily replace that additional stress with instant stress relief.

'to-do' Lists Can Provide Instant Stress Relief, But Don't Let Them Stress You Out
By: Sylvia Dickens | 31/07/2008 | Fitness
To-do lists can be your friend, providing instant stress relief when you need it most. Unfortunately, they can stress you out if you don't use them properly. Once you have the format down so that it fits your pace, you will find to-do lists extremely beneficial for easing stress and making your life run smoothly.

Get Quick Stress Relief With Shiatsu Therapy
By: Sylvia Dickens | 29/07/2008 | Health
You can get quick stress relief if you know where to look. Here's one therapy that isn't talked about much but is extremely powerful. Plus, it's non-invasive and doesn't involve any pill-popping, hypnosis exercises or psychoanalyst's couch.

What is Normal Puppy Behavior?
By: Sylvia Dickens | 23/07/2008 | Pets
Do you know the difference between normal and abnormal puppy behavior? Here are some tips to help you to understand why your puppy does what he does.

6 Summer Safety Tips for Dog Owners With Gun Shy Dogs
By: Sylvia Dickens | 03/07/2008 | Pets
Is your gun shy dog in danger? Does he or she run and hide, escape, or destroy your furniture during thunderstorms? Here are six dog safety tips to help you protect your fearful pet.

Article Categories

1-800-PetMeds






Give Feedback

Sign up for our email newsletter

Receive updates, enter your email below