Dog Treats and Pet Nutrition

Though we want only the best for our pets, many of the most commonly fed pet foods contain preservatives and ingredients like animal- byproducts, which could include slaughterhouse waste and meat from diseased animals. Combined with filler products like grains, many of which don't benefit a dog's health, and provide only empty calories, and artificial colorings and flavorings, these are then processed at high temperatures, effectively destroying any nutritional value the food may have had.

It is no wonder then, that canine health problems like obesity and diabetes are on the rise, bringing with them complications like arthritis, that can seriously affect a dog's quality of life. The preservatives and chemical ingredients found in many commercial dog foods have even been linked to such health issues as digestive problems and even cancers.

Today, many brands of premium and natural dog foods have entered the market, giving dog owners literally hundreds of choices for dog food, kibble and dog treats, each with it's own claims of superiority and quality. How then, does a pet owner choose the best dog food for his beloved pet?

One of the most important things for all pet owners to learn is how to read the labels of a good pet food. In order to familiarize himself with the labels on pet products, a conscientious pet owner must know which ingredients a healthy pet food should and should not contain.

For example, animal by-products listed in the ingredients mean that the food uses, as a source of protein any by-products from the processing of animals - including hooves and hair, stomach contents, slaughterhouse waste, manure, meat from diseased animals and sometimes even euthanized pets. These absolutely do not sound like desirable ingredients to be giving our pets in the form of dog food and dog treats.

The order in which the ingredients appear is also an important factor. A dog food is required to list its ingredients beginning with most important one, the one that the food is comprised of the most. One sure indication of a low quality pet food is one that lists corn, corn meal or other corn based products as its first ingredient. These fillers, which cause problems like allergies and obesity, are used in order to bring food costs down.

Pet owners should also take care not to overfeed their pets with dog treats like table scraps, which might contain ingredients that are harmful to their canine companions. High quality dog treats like flint river ranch dog food contains the same ingredients as their pet food, ensuring that what your dog gets is not junk and fillers, but a nutritious and rewarding treat.

Melinda Smith lives with her three dogs and veterinarian husband by lake Michigan. An advocate of healthy and natural diets for her own pets, she has seen the difference that a high quality diet can make. High quality pet foods and dog treats like Flint River Ranch dog food have improved her dogs' health, happiness and even their coats and breath. She regularly writes advice about dog care, and dog food online.

-Melinda Smith