organic dog food
organic dog food
organic dog food
organic dog food
organic dog food
What to Look for in Dog Food
When you look at the nutrient analysis on the back of the package, you will find the minimum levels of protein, fiber and fat in the diet. But you also need to carefully examine the ingredient list. Protein can come from a variety of sources, including plant matter, so you need to make sure the bulk of the protein is derived from meat and poultry products. Many pet foods, especially the economy brands, use corn, wheat, gluten, soy, meat and bone meal as a major source of protein, but these are inferior sources of protein for your pet. The list of ingredients is based on their percentages in the food, from greatest to least. It is best to look for diets with meat products making up at least 3 or 4 of the first 6 listed ingredients.
There are a few things to look for before you pick your pet's food:
High Quality Protein Sources: High quality protein sources should include protein from meat sources. Plant based proteins are commonly used in many dog foods but are not good sources of protein.
Preservatives: Chemical preservatives such as BHA, BHT and ethoxyquin are often added in pet foods. Natural preservatives such as Vitamin C, Vitamin E, and oils of rosemary, clove, or other spices are a better alternative. Natural preservatives do not provide as long a shelf life but are generally safer.
By-Products: By-products can vary from batch to batch. They can contain internal parts of animals such as necks, heads, feet, intestines, and other internal organs. Many manufactures use by-products because it's less expensive, these may not be the best source of food for your pet.
Antioxidants: Antioxidants are often added to dog food to supplement and help a dog's immune system. Antioxidants can help deter many diseases including kidney disease, heart disease and cancer.
Artificial Dyes: Artificial dyes are often used in pet foods for visual purposes, but it is not necessary and some have been linked to medical problems.
How to Read Labels
Labels differ from brand to brand, and can sometimes be quite challenging to understand. On the plus side, there are special labeling requirements for pet food regulated by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) and many manufactures adopt AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials) standards.
When you look at the nutrient analysis on the back of the package, you will find the minimum levels of protein, fiber and fat in the diet. But you also need to carefully examine the ingredient list. Protein can come from a variety of sources, including plant matter, so you need to make sure the bulk of the protein is derived from meat and poultry products. Many pet foods, especially the economy brands, use corn, wheat, gluten, soy, meat and bone meal as a major source of protein, but these are inferior sources of protein for your pet. The list of ingredients is based on their percentages in the food, from greatest to least. It is best to look for diets with meat products making up at least 3 or 4 of the first 6 listed ingredients.
There are a few things to look for before you pick your pet's food:
High Quality Protein Sources: High quality protein sources should include protein from meat sources. Plant based proteins are commonly used in many dog foods but are not good sources of protein.
Preservatives: Chemical preservatives such as BHA, BHT and ethoxyquin are often added in pet foods. Natural preservatives such as Vitamin C, Vitamin E, and oils of rosemary, clove, or other spices are a better alternative. Natural preservatives do not provide as long a shelf life but are generally safer.
By-Products: By-products can vary from batch to batch. They can contain internal parts of animals such as necks, heads, feet, intestines, and other internal organs. Many manufactures use by-products because it's less expensive, these may not be the best source of food for your pet.
Antioxidants: Antioxidants are often added to dog food to supplement and help a dog's immune system. Antioxidants can help deter many diseases including kidney disease, heart disease and cancer.
Artificial Dyes: Artificial dyes are often used in pet foods for visual purposes, but it is not necessary and some have been linked to medical problems.
How to Read Labels
Labels differ from brand to brand, and can sometimes be quite challenging to understand. On the plus side, there are special labeling requirements for pet food regulated by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) and many manufactures adopt AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials) standards.
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