Dog Training Tips - What are they feeding you? What ingredients make for good and bad dog food?

Dog Care Tip - What are they feeding you? What ingredients make for good and bad dog food?

With the many commercially prepared dog foods available on todays market, it is often quite difficult to tell which ones are better than others and why.

First of all, you cant judge by advertising which are the good and bad dog foods. Many advertisers spend millions of dollars per year advertising inferior foods. Unfortunately, a good indicator on quality of food is price. Low priced foods are not always, but most often, the lowest quality foods on the market.

You want to make sure that the adult dog food you are feeding is 22-25% protein and 15-19% fat. The protein should come from a good quality source. Some dogs such as puppies, large breeds, and active breeds have different protein and fat requirements. Make sure to discuss this with your veterinarian to ensure proper feeding of your

dog.

In order for you to make an informed decision, you must know which ingredients are better than others. When you look at a food label, the following are the kinds of ingredients that you are looking for: Human Grade Ingredients Chicken meal, Turkey meal, Fish meal, Rice, Potatoes, Lamb meal, Potatoes, Rice, Sunflower Oil, Vegetables and others. Good dog foods first four ingredients should not be grains, but should consist of things like meat and proteins. You also want to make sure it says chicken meal and not chicken as the primary ingredient. If it says chicken only, this means that the manufacturers are counting the entire chicken toward protein value. This includes beaks, feathers, and feet. With chicken meal, they are only counting the cooked down version of the protein. This will ensure that your dog is getting the appropriate kind of protein and not byproducts. Vitamins and fatty acids are also good ingredients in dog foods. Some examples include Vitamin E, Omega 3 and 6, etc. These are very important for a healthy looking skin and coat. Make sure the dog food is not laden with preservatives.

Some of the ingredients that you dont want to see on your dog food label include: Inferior protein which consists of but not limited to variations of the following: Wheat, Corn, Chicken by-products, Soy, Gluten. These ingredients are hard to digest and can cause health problems later on if used for a long period of time. Sugar is another ingredient that you want to stay away from.

You are always better off purchasing food from a company that spends time and money field testing their products. You can always be sure that companies such as Purina, the Iams Company (which also includes Eukanuba), Royal Canin, Nutro, Diamond, and Hills Science Diet are constantly testing their foods to provide the optimum quality ingredients. These companies offer different grades of food, however, from lower quality to premium quality so make sure that you always read the labels. These are not the only companies by any means who make good quality dog food. The important thing is to read the label, do your research, ask questions of your veterinarians and pet professionals and always be informed. People who work at feed stores are usually a good resource and can help you find good quality pet food. Breeders can also be a good source for finding a quality food for your dog. Dog trainers will also often have a good knowledge of proper nutrition.

You should always follow your veterinarians recommendation on food as well. Many times dogs of certain ages or with certain health conditions need to be on a prescription diet. While these diets are often expensive, they do contain the proper nutrients that dogs in these categories need. Many times owners will switch to a commercial food because of cost or palatability concerns and the dogs health will go in to a decline. Your veterinary staff know what is best for your particular dog.

While it is often confusing, proper dog nutrition is vital to the health and longevity of your dog. By knowing what consists of good quality ingredients and which ingredients to avoid, you can be assured that you will choose the proper food for your dog. As always, if you have questions, ask your veterinary staff for more information.

Chill Out: Keeping Your Dog Cool in the Hot Summer Sun
Summer is typically a time of great family fun and activity. The days are long and warm, the kids are on vacation, and the sun worshipers are out in full force. Unfortunately, the season also brings with it some very specific hazards - sunburn, heat...

Snug as a Pug in a rug: Keeping your dog warm during the winter months
For many dog owners, how to keep their dog warm during the cold winter is a big concern. Luckily for them, there are many ways to do this. If your dog is small, has short hair, or is older, you may want to consider purchasing a jacket to help...

Show Dogs: Where to start
Thinking about showing your dog off but dont have any idea where to start? Showing a dog is more than having a well groomed attractive dog. There is hard work and dedication on the owners part as well as the pet. You can start doing your...

The Four Letter Word of the Dog World: FLEA!
What They Are and How to Get Rid of Them All dog owners are familiar with the problems caused by pesky fleas. Fleas are very small wingless insects, brownish red in color, and have sharp mouths by which they obtain blood from their canine...

Dog Breeders Gone Wild: 5 Things to Look Out For
New dog owners should always make sure that their purebred pup comes from a reputable and responsible breeder. This is really is the only way to ensure that the animal will be free of any medical or behavioral problems. If a breeder you speak with...

Dog Care Tip : If you have a child, youve probably heard those familiar words, Can we keep him? Dogs arent just a mans best friend anymore; theyve become the whole familys friend...

Home
◦ Differences in Training for Hunting Dogs
◦ Different Training for Different Breeds
◦ Different Training Techniques for Companion Animals
◦ Does your pet dog suffer from heartworms?
◦ Dog Bite: Prevent or Deal with It
◦ Dog Essentials
◦ Dog Heroes: All Time Heroes
◦ Dog Sports for Every Breed
◦ Dog Supplies Buying Guide
◦ "Dog Toys for the Brain, Teeth and Feet"
◦ Dog Training: Attitude is Important
◦ Dog training basics - preventing unwanted urination
◦ Dog training basics - training the new puppy
◦ Dog training - dealing with house training issues
◦ Dog Training - Dealing with Separation Anxiety
◦ Dog training for desired behaviors
◦ Dog training - house training your dog
◦ Dog training issues - refusing to come when called
◦ Dog training - keeping your dog motivated
◦ Dog training - Leash/collar training
◦ Dog training - reward training basics
◦ Dog training - the basic commands
◦ Dog Training Tips
◦ Dog training -training for proper dog behavior
◦ Dog training with a head collar
◦ Dog training with a training collar or choke collar
◦ Dogs during Labor
◦ Dogs for Defense: Military Dog Training during World War II
◦ Dogs Need Good Food Too - Your Guide to Your Dog's Diet
◦ Eliminating problem behaviors when training your puppy
◦ Eliminating problem dog behaviors - jumping and roaming
◦ Enjoyable Activities with Your Dog
◦ Essential care tips for your dog
◦ FIVE EASY STEPS TO STOP YOUR PUPPY FROM CHEWING
◦ Five Simple Tips To Get Your Dog Ready For Dog Shows
◦ FIVE STEPS FOR SOCIALIZING YOUR DOG TO OTHER PETS
◦ FIVE TIPS FOR EASIER VET VISITS
◦ Four Things to Do when Dealing with a Difficult Dog
◦ Training your dog with a training collar and leash

Dog Care
◦ Basic Care and Maintenance for your pups pearly whites
◦ Breed Clubs: What Are They and Should You Join?

Spoil Your Dog

GENERAL HISTORY OF DOGS