One of the most important decisions you can make for your furry best friend is what they eat. You would think with all the restrictions and laws on the food you or I eat, that food for your dog would be just as safe. You could not be further from the truth. It does not matter if you buy your pets food from the grocery store down the street, some designer doggy boutique, or from your local veterinarianas office. All of these places may sell food that contains animal by-products.
Animal by-products are meats from animals considered unsuitable for human consumption. This can also be known as rendered meat. They can be found in all pet foods, from store brands to brand name products. If you wouldn’t want to eat rendered meat, why would you want to feed it to your pet?
Sources of rendered meat include animals already dead on arrival to the slaughterhouse, or animals too sick or diseased for human consumption. Even euthanized cats, dogs, horses or other animals could be used. If this meat is so bad for us, why should these same sources be appropriate for your dog?
Another thing to look out for is the preservatives used to keep the pet food from going bad. Specifically, the preservatives ethoxyquin, BHT, and BHA, are toxic. The preservatives that are better for your four legged friend are Vitamins E and C.
It is commonly suggested that a dog’s diet shoudl contain 50% vegetables, 40% meat, and 10% grain or carbohydrates. When shopping for the best food for your pet, price and quality should be considered. Cheap alternatives often have less quality ingrediants than Healthy Dog Food.
Holistic pet food is a better alternative. Holistic pet foods are both natural and nutritious. Ingredients are fit for consumption by both humans and dogs, and won’t contain chicken beaks or toxic preservatives. Instead, you’ll only find ingredients you yourself would enjoy.
However the only way to really know what is in your dogs pet food is to make it yourself. You can purchase books with dog food recipes that can help you make the most Healthy Dog Food and delicious meals for your companion. You should also consult your pet’s veterinarian to make sure you are giving him all the vitamins and nutrients he needs.
It is important to remember not all human foods are suitable for animals. Grapes and raisins cause damage to your dog’s kidneys; mushrooms can be deadly; raw, cooked, or powdered garlic and onions can damage red blood cells and may cause anemia; raw fish on a regular basis may lead to thiamine deficiency, which can result in loss of appetite, seizures, and death. Many other examples of harmful human food also exist. If you are unsure whether a new food is safe for your pet, you should always ask a veterinarian first.
