Dog Food
For many people, the question of what to feed a dog isn't an important one. They just buy the brand that looks the best and costs the least at the grocery store. After all, it's always worked, hasn't it? Unfortunately, it may look like it has, but there's a good chance that a cheap diet could hurt your pet.
Many inexpensive dog foods have a poor nutrient balance, low quality ingredients, and contain many fillers. These foods could make it more likely for your dog to gain weight, have health issues down the line, and even die early. That's why more and more pet owners are concerned about the diet they feed their pets.
Why Feed Good Quality Food?
You are what you eat, in terms of quality, and that doesn't just apply to humans. Dogs fed a better balanced diet made up of high quality ingredients are more likely to live long lives, will have fewer health problems, and may even have fewer behavioral problems than dogs fed bargain supermarket food. After all, if eating poorly can affect humans to the degree it does, there's no reason it shouldn't also affect dogs. By spending a little more on the dog food you buy now, you could prevent really expensive vet visits in years to come, and keep your pet happier.
What Dogs Need
In nature, canines are primarily carnivores, though they are opportunistic omnivores - if non-meat foods are available, they will often eat them. Most of us have dealt with or heard about dogs eating unusual things - the instinct to get a good nutritional balance is what causes them to do this. However, they still should eat mostly meat. Why, then, do most dog foods use large quantities of plant foods in their production?
It's all about how long the food will last and how much it costs. Fillers, including corn and soy, can help bulk up a food and allow it to keep longer than a food made without them, or made using fewer of them. All kibble - extruded dry dog food - is going to contain some grain. However, the specific grains and how much of them is present, combined with the animal ingredients, their quality, and their type, are what make a food good for your dog, or not so good.
Named, Specific Ingredients Are Best
So, how can you tell if a food's any good? Unfortunately, packaging and marketing aren't going to be much of a help. Even "organic" dog foods aren't regulated the same way as human organic foods, so it's hard to tell what's really in there. You need to read the label to find out whether the food contains ingredients you should be feeding your dog. Skip past the hype, the price tag (it's a general indicator of quality, but you'd be surprised at how many foods don't live up to their price) and the company's statements and look at what's in it.
Ideally, a good dog food should consist mostly of named, specific meats and plant foods. The more specific the food, and the closer to its original state, the better. That means that chicken meat or chicken meal rate far better than ingredients described as poultry, broths, or by-products. Whole grains, such as brown rice, are usually better than processed grains, and corn should be avoided. It's very inexpensive, and often an indicator that the dog food manufacturer is cutting corners. Most good quality dog foods also include fruits and vegetables, in addition to meats and grains. These ingredients can add in missing vitamins that a dog would naturally be getting from his or her diet.
What About Vegetarian Dogs?
Vegetarian pet owners may wonder whether it's possible for their dogs to share their diet. After all, if you don't purchase or eat meat because of ethical concerns, you're not likely to enjoy doing it for your dog. Can dogs eat a vegetarian diet and still get all the nutrition they need? The answer is yes, but it's more difficult than doing with with animal products included. You have to choose foods carefully, and keep a close eye on your dog's health. However, many dogs have lived healthily and happily on kibble that contains no meat at all, as well as home prepared diets. Just be careful.
Talk To Your Vet
If all this is still confusing, one option is to talk to your vet. He or she can help you understand what's required to feed your dog well and prevent problems down the line. While some people feel that vets don't always recommend the best food, they're not likely to recommend one that's truly terrible, as well. If you feel like you've gotten a bad recommendation, there's nothing wrong with getting a second opinion from another vet. However, if you don't trust yours, you might need to look for another vet, anyway.
Be Careful About Treats
A remarkable number of pet owners go through all the time and trouble to get the right food for their dogs, only to feed them human food as treats and give them things they shouldn't be eating. Sure, it's not the end of the world if your dog eats a potato chip off the floor when you're not looking. However, if you offer them regularly, or give your pet tidbits from your plate, you could be causing real problems. A large number of human foods are mildly toxic to dogs, and can do anything from give them a mild stomach upset to make them really sick.
Even foods that aren't toxic are likely to cause weight gain, and encourage your dog to look for treats whenever you're at the table. This can be a real behavior problem in larger pets. Instead, stick to healthy treats made for dogs, and keep human food to very limited occasions. You don't want a fat dog, one with an upset stomach, or a dog that won't leave you alone at dinner time, after all. There are plenty of appealing dog-safe foods on the market that can be used as rewards and treats once in a while. The right diet is the key to keeping your pet in good condition.