The diet is for dogs, just as important as humans. If you properly feed your quadruped friend, not only will he have more energy and more beautiful and shiny coat, but his health
The diet is for dogs, just as important as humans. If you properly feed your quadruped friend, not only will he have more energy and more beautiful and shiny coat, but his health will improve.
In today’s post, I will give you some tips on how to choose the right dry food. Not only is it more convenient than cooking, but this food will provide your dog with an optimal ratio of vitamins and nutrients.
Here’s what to watch when choosing dry food:
Avoid products containing toxic food for dogs
It is important to read the product label before buying. Avoid dry food containing chocolate, avocados, grapes, leeks, green onions, chives, garlic or onions. Even if they are consumed in small amounts, they can affect the red blood cells, causing anemia.
The mysterious meat: “meats”, “meals”
Fresh meat is expensive, and many dry dog food producers avoided it. It is replaced with meat meal, so that the animal receives a balanced diet at an affordable price. The FDA, which regulates the labeling of pet food, says the meal may contain protein, nutrients and minerals in concentrations higher than fresh meat. However, experts from The Best Dog Food do not recommend this type of food. Manufacturers are not required to be transparent in the method of obtaining the meal. When subjected to very high tempers, the meat loses its property. Enzymes and natural proteins can be destroyed during the manufacturing process, so the nutritional amount of food can vary. The American Association of Feed Control Officers is a group that helps the FDA establish labeling standards. This Association allows anything called “meat meal” to come from mammals other than cattle, pigs, sheep or goats without further description. You can not be sure of the source of this meat. “Meat meal” can also be obtained from stuff like greasy restaurant, diseased livestock and expired supermarket meat. Of course, not everyone who uses meal in the production of dry food is an insecure source.
Conclusion:
- Choose a product that has the first ingredient of whole protein (eg chicken, venison). According to the FDA, ingredients are listed in order of weight with the heaviest ingredients listed first.
- However, if the product contains flour, look for ingredients such as “duck meal” or “salmon meal.” By naming the source, you can have a greater confidence in the product.
Avoid formulations based on plant protein
Discard products that contain the first ingredients grain. You have already read above that the first ingredient must be an animal protein. The more filling materials such as corn, soy or beans are displayed in larger quantities on the ingredients list, the lower will be the food quality. The best grain-based foods for dogs are with oats, barley, quinoa, brown rice and millet, but be careful that in food composition, it will found in a smaller quantity than animal protein.
Cut food containing artificial additives
Artificial flavors have no nutritional value and are at risk for allergic reactions, diarrhea or excess growth of intestinal bacteria over time. Propylene glycol may be approved by the FDA at very low doses. This substance is a synthetic ingredient used to add moisture, in high doses can cause irritation and sometimes even organ toxicity.
If a healthy dog will occasionally consume food with artificial additives, it will not get sick, but if he consumes these additives every day of his life, it could cumulate negative health effects.
Avoid dog food using BHA, BHT and Ethoxyquin chemical preservatives.
On the market there are better options for dry food. So avoid artificial additives and opt for a food that contains rosemary, vitamin C and vitamin E.
Natural flavors – not indicated
This ingredient is shrouded in mystery. Of course, when you hear natural flavors, you think of juices and drippings made from tasty ingredients. Just that the process of obtaining is not always the safest, it may contain materials treated with enzymes and / or acids to form concentrated natural flavors. According to current labeling rules, dog food companies are not required to disclose exactly what is used to make the flavor, or what chemical processes are involved. This ingredient will not seriously damage the dog, but it is preferable to avoid such products where there is no transparency.
