Dog Information and Your Vet

We often think of our vets as the best source of dog information, however, this may not always be so. Pet food companies have a strong influence on veterinary school's nuttrition programs and can use these in order to aggresively promote their own brands.

The best thing for a pet owner to do is to learn what their dog needs in terms of nutrition from reliable dog information. This article will discuss, in order, the most important pieces of dog information that every pet owner should know when it comes to feeding their beloved four-legged friends.

As carnivorous animals, dogs eat meat in the wild and their food as pets should always contain a good quality, meat-based source of protein. In the ingredients listing of your dog food, look for a named meat source, like beef or turkey, rather an a generic "meat". More than one of these should be listed in the first five ingredients on the list. Animal by-product, is another story and should be avoided, as it can contain meat from dying and diseased animals.

Some amount of carbohydrates is required in a balanced canine diet, and rice, potatoes and many vegetables are good sources of these. However, dogs do not need grains like corn, wheat gluten and these may cause more problems than they are worth. Allergies and obesity are often attributed to corn and wheat products in dog food.

There are a lot of labels like premium, organic and human grade that are used on dog foods. Premium and human grade are regulated very little, if at all, and may not be very beneficial for your dog. Organic dog food should follow the standards for organic food, meaning they should be grown without chemicals. Organic foods are thought to prevent things like cancer by not introducing possibly dangerous chemicals into the body.

A home made diet is another thing to consider for a conscientious pet owner. Home made dog food can be much less expensive, but more time-consuming than commercial pet food. A lot of dog information also promotes raw feeding, as this is most similar to the way dogs would have eaten in the wild. Whichever option you choose, a little information goes a long way for the health and well being of your favorite furry friend.

A good pet owner arms himself with reliable dog information on feeding and nutrition. Being able to read pet food labels is important, as is knowing all the options that a pet owner has for his beloved dog's nutrition. Raw feeeding, and home made dog food are excellent, if time and labor intensive alternatives to commercial foods. No matter which food you do choose, a little information on nutrition goes a long way for your dog's health and wellness.

-Melinda Smith