Dog Treats for a Happier, Healthier Dog

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. Filler and binder ingredients, which are usually of no nutritional to our canine companions, might then be added into the mix, which is processed at high temperatures, stripping it of even more nutritional value.

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. A pet owner needs to educate himself in order to choose the food for his canine companion.

An important place to start might be learning to read the labels of the food we intend to feed our pets. 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. This is usually used by pet food companies in order to keep costs down, but provide little nutritional benefit, and can cause health problems like allergies in cats and dogs.

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.

Two Labradors and a Great Dane (as well as her veterinarian spouse) make up the rest of writer Melinda Smith's household in the Lake Michigan area. She tirelessly champions the cause for natural and nutritious food for her three dogs, and over the years has tried dozens of brands, with varying success. Dog treats and high quality pet foods like Flint River Ranch dog food have so far proven to be one of the best brands for her pets' health, well-being, and even the shine of their coats and their breath. When not wrestling one of her dogs she writes articles on dog care, and dog food online.

-Melinda Smith