How to Choose the Right Dog Food

Some people think their dog should eat the same food they eat. Nothing could be further from the truth. Dogs require a special diet that is in prepackaged dog food. Several owners have recently opted to make their own dog food, with the recent recall of many manufacturers food due to tainted ingredients and manufacturers not being required to conform to set standards. The following are eight tips in choosing the right dog food.

1. Reading the label of the dog food is important. Ingredients listed in the order of quantity. The first ingredient will be more prevalent than the next. Some people find the list of ingredients as foreign as a new language. For your dogs's health and longevity, you will need to understand this list. The least amount of preservatives listed in the ingredients, the better the health of your dog.

2. The age, size and breed of your dog should determine the type, quantity and ingredients in their food. A younger dog has more requirements than a full-grown dog. The health of your dog and any illnesses will also determine the type and quantity of food that your dog requires. Many ailments require different types of food that will deep your dog healthy longer.

3. Due to the many recent dog food recalls by manufacturers many dog owners have decided to make their own dog food. The important factor here is to get all the required nutrients and ingredients in the food to insure your dog remains healthy.

4. Foods containing chocolate, sugars and dairy products are not good for your dog as these can cause serious health problems.

5. Foods containing proteins for your dog are the most desirable. Red meats and chicken are good choices while pork and pork by-products are not to be included in their diet.

6. Your dog should get a specific amount of nutrients, vitamins and vegetables that are in premium dog food and not often included in homemade products in the proper quantities.

7. Feeding your dog the proper amount of vitamins, nutrients, protein and vegetables by using premium dog food may be more costly now but homemade food without the proper ingredients may cause you to feed improper amounts and your dog not getting the proper nutritional needs. This can lead to medical bills and an unhealthy pet with more costly problems down the road.

8. More people are turning to holistic alternatives not only in their own diet but also for their dog. Many holistic recipes are available online and in your local bookstore. Looking out for the health of your dog is as important as looking out for your own health.

source: Not Fit for a Dog!: The Truth About Manufactured Dog and Cat Food by Michael W. Fox, Elizabeth Hodgkins, and Marion E. Smart