Dear Brigitte

I do so look forward to your newsletters and emails. And, I can say that I not only boycott IAMS, but every large dog food company out there. IAMS is probably no worse than the others - they just got caught, that's all!

Unfortunately, there is nothing that the large pet food companies can to that can shock me anymore. Whether it's intentionally using poor quality ingredients in order to maximize profits, poor quality control, sloppy handling of perishable product or an bad attitude that 'this is just for dogs - so who cares what goes in to it'. And about mistreating their animals? They're considered test subjects, not pets - the dog food companies consider them part of their disposable overhead. If one of the dogs or cats die - they can easily get another one; there's plenty of them at the pound. Like I said, NOTHING shocks me anymore.

About a year ago I received a postcard from the company that produces Kirkland's (Costco) brand of lamb and rice formula dog food. I had evidently purchased a case of potentially contaminated dog food, and they were writing to alert me that it was on the recall list and could possibly be tainted. They told me to take the case back to Costco for a refund or replacement. I never did. Unfortunately, the case of dog food was long gone by time the postcard arrived, having been consumed by my wonderful Standard Poodle, Jared.

Jared was truly a very lucky dog, and suffered no ill affects. However, not before I spent over $300 in vet fees to have him fully checked out, and tests run to be certain there was no contamination in his system, or lingering problems. That was the last time I purchased any and all ingestible dog or cat products for my pets - entirely!!

As distressing as it seemed at the time - it was a far cry better than what most companies did - which was NOTHING! Most companies attempted to deny any contamination, and I don't know of any other company that sent out a postcard! So at least they were attempting to alert the public of a problem with the food. Nevertheless, it made me acutely aware to how susceptible all of us are to purchasing inferior products, and changed my attitude about purchasing cat and dog food, forever.

Now, I personally cook every meal for my dog and two cats, from scratch - including all of their treats. Nothing but the best ingredients are used. No whey, corn, glutens, additives, by-products, or anything artificial goes into my treats or food. Only the highest grade, human-quality ingredients are used. If I wouldn't feel good about eating it myself, or serving it at my dinner table - it doesn't get fed to my dog or cats. I've spent countless hours researching the right combination of ingredients and working with my vet to ensure that I make a healthy, delicious and nutritious treat for dogs and cats.

I've given my treats to friends as gifts for their pets, and they have become so popular, that I'm being asked to sell them. The dog food, too.

Thank for again for the wonderful information you so generously pass on, and I will look forward to many more of your Healthy Happy Dog emails.

With warmest regards,
Sally Dawn and
Jared, Phantom & Pearl

Life's Abundance Dog Food

Dogs really do function better as carnivores, and should always have plenty of meat protein in their diet. Meat protein provides the building blocks of good dog health.

Certainly, a small to moderate amount of carbohydrates can play a secondary role in a dog’s diet, dogs should be fed only highly digestible carbohydrates such as brown rice. Excessive and/or poorly digestible carbohydrates of the type found in cereal based dog foods that contain only small proportions of meat are not recommended.

Dogs are historically scavengers and of course, primarily meat eaters. In fact, a natural diet for dogs included bones, chunks of carcass, fish guts, animal guts and heads, together with rotten greens and fruits. In the pre-domesticated stage, dogs started to consume discarded human food, which continued until relatively recent times.

Have you ever wondered why many dogs love to go through your garbage can, and will more often than not eat any and everything in there if given the chance? Well look back in history, and you will discover your answer.

In fact, the major contributing factor in the domestication of dogs was their attraction to whatever food was available at human garbage dumps. Eventually, the tamer wolves that were the least threatened by human beings, over tens of thousands of years, became our companions and evolved into the various dog breeds we have today.

It stands to reason, therefore, that your dog's digestive system is more suited to raw food coupled with some table scraps - natural dog food, than to most of the substandard rubbish that's passed off as commercial dog food.

But if you don't fancy feeding your dog raw food, then at least ditch the commercial dog food and feed your loved companion a quality, premium dog food that has the healthy goodness of a home cooked meal. Life’s Abundance dog food is made using only fresh, human-quality ingredients such as premium all natural chicken and top quality catfish with the best fresh fruit such as tree ripened applies, vegetables like crisp fresh carrots, and select farm foods such as eggs.

Life’s Abundance also contains a superior blend of vitamins, minerals, bacteria cultures that assist digestion, and antioxidants.  There are no artificial flavors, colors, sugars, or chemical preservatives - common ingredients in most commercial dog foods.

Dr Jane Bicks is responsible for product formulation and development of Life's Abundance pet food. Dr Bicks is a highly respected and nationally recognized holistic veterinarian. She is the author of three national books on pet care and nutrition and has served on professional boards including the Cornell Feline Health Center.

Not all veterinarians have much idea on good nutrition for dogs, in fact most don't. Conventional vets get most of their information from commercial pet food manufacturers. But if you're fortunate enough to find a good holistic vet, you're much more likely to learn the truth about healthy dog food.

Life’s Abundance pet food is a premium health food for your dog. Apart from the ingredients in the dog food you select, you should also be concerned about the cooking process used. Commercial pet foods are extruded at extremely high temperatures which effectively destroy any semblance of nutrition that may have been in the ingredients.

Life's Abundance, on the other hand, is cooked in small batches using an exclusive “fast-cook” process that uses less heat to gently lock in more of the natural goodness and fresh taste of real food.

And they even go a step further to ensure the nutritional quality of Life’s Abundance pet food with their revolutionary reclosable, oxygen resistant packaging that ensures all the flavor, vitamins and natural nutrients from Life’s Abundance remains. So no preservatives of any kind are necessary - natural dog food at its best. In fact, this food is said to be just as natural and deliciously wholesome as if you’d made it yourself.

For more dog food reviews, and more on other types of natural dog food, click on the hyperlinks to go to other helpful articles in the Healthier Dogs site.

Article brought to you from Pet Alive.

Being the largest and the most exposed organ of the body, pet skin is likely to be affected with mild to severe conditions. One of the major dog skin problems arise from allergies. Allergies can cause canine or feline acne. Allergies may arise from contact with an allergen or from food that does not suit your pet.

Before starting treatment for any type of allergy it is of paramount importance that you establish the cause of allergy. It is wrong to assume that only new foods cause allergies and consequent itching in your dog. The truth is that any food can cause an allergic reaction in dogs - new or old. The commonly known skin condition of ‘hot spots’ can develop if your dog becomes allergic to his routine diet that he is no longer able to digest.

Food allergy often forms a typical distribution pattern and your veterinarian is the best guide in this matter. You can suspect food allergy in your dog in conditions where:

* there has been poor response to treatment for mange
* there is little or no improvement on administration of steroidal treatment - or much better yet, on administration of natural dog hot spot remedies that remove toxins
* the dog has not previously experienced any seasonal allergies

Dogs are often fed various commercial diets that contain processed proteins, fillers and artificial colorings. These undergo a further change inside the body. The auto immune system may recognize them as foreign substances and respond accordingly. In such an eventuality the most commonly affected organ in dogs and cats is the skin.

The only method to arrive at what is causing food allergy in a dog is through putting him on a trial diet. A trial diet can be one that is based on a protein source the dog has never eaten before. Through a method of elimination by trial and error the allergen can be identified. The latest approach to the problem is through the use of hydrolyzed proteins. A conventional source of protein is broken down with the aid of water into molecules so small that the immune system cannot recognize it.

During the trial period it is important to avoid all unnecessary medication and chewable treats not compatible with the trial diet.

Pets are exposed to external and internal risks. Attacks by external parasites cause mild conditions like dog or cat dandruff and canine or feline hair loss and other dog skin problems. Food allergy is a condition that has its roots in what your pet is eating, which can potentially damage the skin of your pet to a great extent. Lesions caused by food allergies result in skin problems that can be extremely uncomfortable and may distort the very appearance of the pet.

Traditionally, home cooking has been the best non-allergic diet for pets. In many cases home cooked food for your dog may still be the only choice to avoid food allergy.

References:

http://ezinearticles.com/?Dog-Skin-Care&id=222254

http://www.superk9.com/article-doghealthcare06.asp

http://www.marvistavet.com/html/body_food_allergies.html

Flint River Ranch foods for dogs, and cats, originated in 1993, when a fellow named Jim Flint decided to make it his mission to provide the finest cat and dog foods that would not only contribute to your pet's health, but actually reduce the daily feeding cost.

Jim set up a family owned company, Flint River Ranch, for this purpose, and set to work. In consultation with nutritionists (most important), as well as veterinarians, manufacturers and suppliers, the highly nutritious, palatable and top quality Flint River Ranch products were developed.

There are two main aspects of commercial pet foods that are highly undesirable, at best, and slowly killing our pets, at worst. Broadly speaking, both the ingredients and the cooking process of commercial pet foods are completely inadequate for our pets' nutritional needs.

First, in relation to the cooking - conventional dry pet foods are extruded, which involves cooking the food at extremely high temperatures for a short period of time. This has the effect of overcooking the outside of the kibble bits, trapping water inside, and often leaving the inside undercooked. This manner of cooking makes the resulting kibble difficult to digest, and can also result in bloating problems in some animals.

Combine this inappropriate cooking method with the substandard cat and dog food ingredients used in commercial foods, including excessive grains, animal byproducts, and chemical preservatives, and you have a cocktail that in the long term causes all sorts of degenerative illnesses in our pets, and yes, contributes to our pets dying at younger and younger ages.

Flint River Ranch pet foods addresses both of these issues.

Flint River Ranch foods use only human grade foods with a high proportion of protein - human grade lamb, chicken, fish, eggs and so so - and a low proportion of grains, together with added herbs, fruit and vegetables. This makes the nutritional value of this natural dog food highly concentrated when compared to commercial pet foods - so your cat or dog actually needs to eat smaller portions.

No animals byproducts or chemical preservatives of any kind are added to Flint River Ranch products. And no corn is used, which causes allergies in some animals and is particularly difficult to digest.

And to retain the nutritional value of the food, Flint River Ranch foods are oven baked - never extruded - and not only that, they're baked twice. Why twice? The twice baking process ensures that the end product is easier to digest for your pet so the nutrients can be rapidly absorbed and used immediately for energy and muscle building. Baking the food twice converts starches (which are difficult for your pet to digest) into easily absorbed dextrins, which are soluble, and so much easier to digest.

Flint River Ranch foods offer a number of different options to suit all cats and dogs. For example, the dog foods, include foods suitable for all dogs, food more suited to puppies, specific older dog food formulations, a "dry water" formula - little like a canned pet food in texture, but without the unhealthy high temperature cooking of canned food - and even a "fish and chips" formulation - okay, so it's trout and potatoes, and dogs love it!

For more information on the different types of Flint River Ranch dog foods available, click here.

- and ensure that your dog lives a longer, healthier life!

For more dog food reviews, and more on other types of natural dog food, click on the hyperlinks to go to other helpful articles in the Healthier Dogs site.

Creating your own homemade dog treats is rewarding in so many ways. It's always comforting to see your best friend happy and healthy, but doubly so when you can contribute to that yourself.

Despite the convenience and variety in quality and price of commercial treats, there is no substitute for treats prepared in your own kitchen. With homemade dog treats, you know every ingredient that went into them.

Commercial treats often contain preservatives, fillers, and that nebulous category of ingredients listed as "byproducts." Those may include hooves, ears and internal parts with no nutritive value. They may make good chew toys, but ground up and added to food, they can only be classified it as more filler.

Filler, by the way, is usually a grain, such as wheat or corn. As long as this dog food ingredient is used in moderation, and is not stale or processed from the poorest part of the plant, it can be a nutritious addition to the final product. Wholesome grain flours are helpful in forming the treats into shapes, too.

With any ingredients, a good rule of thumb is to ask yourself if you would eat it. If not, don't feed it to your dog.

Because it's not always possible to learn exactly what has gone into the making of dog treats, or any other pet food, it's important to use homemade dog treats and other foods as often as possible. This becomes even more important if your dog has a medical problem, such as allergies, kidney disease, bone and joint problems, or other conditions that may be caused or made worse by poor nutrition, most notably, some forms of cancer.

If convenience is important, try to make large batches of homemade dog treats in one session, freezing bags of treats for later.

If price is a concern, it might help to know that buying your own ingredients is usually less costly than commercial treats anyway.

Recipes are very common and easy to find on the Internet, but it seems the basic framework of a healthy dog treat recipe is made up of a wholesome grain, perhaps an organic wheat flour or rice, a meat ingredient, such as ground beef or poultry, vegetables, especially carrots or broccoli, and sometimes fruits. This "mash" can be mixed with a liquid such as broth, or just water, to create the right consistency. If it is to be baked, it probably should come out like a cookie dough so it can be cut into interesting shapes… which mean nothing to the dogs, by the way. Occasionally peanut butter is used to add a flavor that dogs love.

Making homemade dog treats is also a great opportunity to add special ingredients, such as flax oil or brewer's yeast, or certain medicinals, if your dog has a specific health problem. Checking with a veterinarian who is familiar with wholistic animal care is your best bet to find truly nutritional ingredients.

The variety of flavors and ingredients used in making healthy dog treats is enormous, and dog owners often find the experience challenging and fun. It also is an activity that can be shared with the kids or grandkids, teaching them responsibility and consideration for the family pet.

Dr. R.J. Peters is a retired health professional who established a pet rescue shelter in 2002. Learn why pets need insurance, too, at Every Pet Matters.

Honest Kitchen began with a search for a human grade pet food that would be good enough for their own pets to eat, one that resembles a home made diet in quality, encompasses variety, is economical, nutritionally balanced, and quick and easy to prepare.

Their motto is - Dehydrated raw pet food with passion and principles!

Honest Kitchen pet foods are made in an FDA approved, human-food-producing facility in Southern California, that makes the very same foods you eat. No processing in any pet food plant for Honest Kitchen dog foods or cat foods.

There are five varieties of Honest Kitchen dog food to choose from and all contain a broad array of amino acids, phytonutrients, vitamins, minerals and enzymes to help achieve and maintain optimum health for your dog with natural dog food.

Verve was the original Honest Kitchen organic dog food. It contains organic rye, organic barley, hormone-free beef, organic flaxseed, organic oats, carrots,alfalfa, potatoes, eggs, red and green bell peppers, spinach, apples, cranberries, chicory, parsley, peppermint and rosemary. Yum! It's best suited to adult and senior dogs with a low to moderate activity level.

Force - you could describe Force Honest Kitchen dog food as a force to be reckoned with! Its list of ingredients include hormone-free chicken, organic flaxseed, potatoes, celery, sweet potatoes, apples, alfalfa, organic kelp, honey, zucchini, green beans, cabbage, bananas, papayas, yogurt, basil, garlic and rosemary. Force was formulated specifically for dogs with sensitive stomachs, and allergies to wheat and gluten. It's both wheat and gluten free.

Embark Honest Kitchen dog food was added to cater to active dogs, including puppies, and also for pregnancy and for nursing dogs where added nutrients are required for optimal nourishment of the unborn and newly born pups. It's a low carbohydrate, grain free, dog food containing hormone-free USDA turkey, organic flaxseed, potatoes, celery, spinach, carrots, coconut, apples, organic kelp, eggs, sesame seeds, bananas, cranberries and rosemary.

Some dogs are intolerant of the usual meat protein sources, and some are intolerant of potatoes and flax. Preference was formulated by Honest Kitchen dog food for these dogs. Preference is a grain and meat free dog food base - you need to add your own protein. The beauty of this formulation is that if your dog does not tolerate chicken or turkey but can, for example tolerate venison or kangaroo, you can add the meat source your dog can tolerate. You can add eggs, fish, or even some cottage cheese, if your dog cannot tolerate any types of meat. What does Preference consist of? Alfalfa, sweet potatoes, cabbage, celery, apples, spinach, organic kelp, coconut, bananas, zucchini, and honey.

Lastly, Thrive is the newest Honest Kitchen dog food. Like Embark, Thrive is also low carbohydrate and is gluten free, but contains some grain. The ingredients comprise Hormone-free Chicken, Organic Quinoa, Sweet Potatoes, Spinach, Parsley, Organic Kelp, Rosemary, Vitamins and Minerals. Because of its low carbs - just 37% carbohydrate, Thrive is not only good for active dogs, including pregnant and nursing dogs, but is also excellent as part of a cancer recovery regime.

Five different varieties of natural dog food that you can really count on.

Oh, and I almost forgot, Honest Kitchen also produces some excellent pet health supplements, and some really unusual and very yummy dog treats!

For more dog food reviews, and more on other types of natural dog food, click on the hyperlinks to go to other helpful articles in the Healthier Dogs site.

What do you really know about the dangers of processed foods? We hear a lot about the dangers of junk food for humans, and yet many pet owners continue to feed their pets a steady diet of junk - read: processed commercial pet foods.  What dogs really need is natural dog food, and you won't find it on your supermarket shelves.

Here's a really interesting article which has been written by one of my readers, Bob Willhite, who also had a website about holistic health - for both humans and companion animals, although he seems to have discontinued the site currently.  He's another advocate of natural dog food (like me!), and particularly likes Sojos dog food (also like me).

Here's the article:

Processed Foods Are Poisoning Our Pets

by Bob Willhite, A.M.P. 2004

Holistic veterinarians are stating that America's pets are increasingly becoming diseased and are needlessly dying for the same reason as humans: processed and preserved foods.

Veterinarian Don Hamilton clarifies that most commercial pet foods contain large quantities of rancid animal products. The meat used is usually from animals that died before reaching the processing plant and may have been diseased. The animals used are ground up with added preservatives, artificial colors, and "fillers" before the blend is processed into nuggets or cans. "These pet foods provide physical nutrients, but do not nourish the life force of the body & Rancid products lead to gastrointestinal illness in dogs and cats." (Homeopathic Care for Cats and Dogs, 1999). Also it's likely that hydrogenated or other low quality and unhealthy oils are used. Like humans, pets may be tempted to go for artificial taste instead of wholesome nutrition. Or, Dr. Hamilton notes they may submit out of hunger and eat foods that are not good for them.

Another veterinarian, Randy Wysong, notes that, "A pet's body is very adaptable and for a time can survive on whatever food is provided. But with typical processed and rancid foods, the body will ultimately be stressed beyond its limits. Loss of vitality will eventually result, followed by degeneration and ultimately disease. The consequences are so far removed from the earlier years of inappropriate foods that few make the connection in understanding the problem" (The Truth About Pet Foods, 2002). High-heat cooking and food preserving have sadly misled us down a path of illness.

This is not newly-found wisdom. Dr. Francis Pottenger's nutrition studies in the 1930's using cats had groups receive the same basic diet: meat, milk and fish oil. One group received raw meat and raw milk, while others received cooked meat and pasteurized (high heat) milk. Cats feeding on all raw ingredients flourished, while those offered a cooked diet became weak and malnourished. Also, diseases with the cooked groups intensified with each generation, thus revealing a genetic effect. Skeletal, metabolic, reproductive, behavioral and dental problems escalated over time in the processed food groups, but were absent in the animals fed raw, whole foods (Dr. Francis Pottenger's).

Dr. Wysong says, "Most pet nutritionists ignore the perfect model, which is nature itself. You simply must supplement raw, fresh, natural foods to the diet of your pet if you are hoping to achieve its optimal health." Try a dry, ready-mix called Sojos (by Sojourner Farms) for dogs or cats to which you simply add fresh, raw meat, raw bones and ideally some raw veggies. It takes only a couple of minutes a day. Working with your local butcher, you can add chicken necks and wings, animal organs and meat scraps; or buy meats as they're discounted to sell before the expiration date on the package. Organic meats are best, for you and your pets.

If you do not want to use raw foods, at least use Wysong's canned food that's as close to the natural diet as modern processing can mimic. It contains only the freshest of meats and organ ingredients with cold or low heat processing to maintain the food's vitality. Only natural and beneficial compounds are used for preservatives. Dr. Wysong says, "Take control by being informed- and seek advice from those who have grown in their understanding of nutritional prevention." Health begins with knowledge. Order from InBliss the Sojos, or Wysong products at a discount, which can be shipped to your home.

Note: Bob Willhite is an Alternative Medical Practitioner that is Board Certified through the American Association of Drugless Practitioners. In his interaction with his wife's business, InBliss, they facilitate wellness through education and holistic products (Idaho Statute, Title 54-2104 [f]).
==================================

Well, what do you know, … Bob recommends Sojos as well!

As you know, I've been talking about Sojos for a while as one of the very best alternatives for healthy petfood. It's on my list of the best dog foods ranked.

For more info, don't forget you can check it out at http://www.HealthyHappyDogs.com/Sojos - it's well worth it!

You can order it directly online. Now that's convenience for you!

Bob also mentions Wysongs dog food in his article - this is another very good dog food product - it's not on my best dog foods ranked list, but that's mainly because I personally don't favor canned dog food. But Wysongs is certainly one of the better canned dog food varieties.

Commercial Pet Food For Your Dog?

by Brigitte Smith

Have you ever wondered what exactly commercial pet food is made up of? If you've never applied your mind to this question, perhaps you should.

What you feed your dog is really SO important for your dog's ultimate health and longevity. It impacts on his/her susceptibility to illness in a major way.

In fact, if you really want your dog to be as healthy as s/he can be, you should probably stop feeding ANY of the widely available commercial dog foods.

I'm referring to the types of dog food commonly found in your supermarket. And you'd be surprised to learn the dog food ingredients in even many of the supposedly superior brands sold in some supermarkets, pet food shops, and even by many vets.

The cheaper the brand, then generally the more full of garbage it is, but even many of the more expensive brands leave much to be desired.

What do you think is an ideal diet for your dog?

- fresh, juicy, chickens?
- choice cuts of fresh beef and lamb?
- perhaps you'd add a few healthy grains (e.g. rice, maize, wheat, etc.) for variety?
- perhaps you'd expect the odd fresh herbs, vegetables and fruit to be part of a healthy dog's diet?

You'd be right.

But how many of the above types of dog food ingredients do you think actually go into commercial pet food?

A lot? Only a little? If you said yes to either of these, you'd be dead wrong.

The average commercial dog food bears NO relation to the above list of choice ingredients, despite what pet food manufacturers display in some of their marketing, and despite what the list of dog food ingredients on the pack or can might tend to indicate.

There is very, very little (if any) of the above ingredients in the average commercial dog food. And by the time the third rate excuse for food been overcooked at sustained high temperatures, and sprayed with preservative agents, the resultant "food" (and I use that term loosely, because commercial kibble and canned pet food contain little, if any, real nutriiton at all) can be very harmful to your dog's health and wellbeing indeed.

Yes, if you're feeding your dog ANY commercially available dog food, you're potentially exposing your dog to a source of chemically enhanced, overprocessed, garbage, the meat source for which may apparently even include diseased carcasses which have been left for up to 5 days before being processed.

Enough to turn you off for life? It was for me. As you may know, I've always fed my dogs a diet of mainly raw meat and bones. But I like to give them a little treat in the mornings rather than just feed them once a day (which, by the way, IS all a dog NEEDS). I used to give them a handful of dry dog food each morning, sometimes the cheaper supermarket brands, and sometimes the "brand" names which cost 4 or 5 times as much. Now that I know better, I never give my dogs any of that garbage.

I should say that SOME of the expensive pet foods which are readily available ARE better than the cheaper brands. BUT, most are still far from an ideal diet for your dog, so I have to wonder whether the extra money is money well spent. I have come to the conclusion that it is not.

If the product says it's "with real chicken", did you know that it only needs to contain 3% of chicken? Only 3%.

If the first item listed is meat or chicken, did you know that this doesn't mean that's the main ingredient? How can that be?

Well, take a close look at the label. It's likely to list a meat first, and then 2, 3, 4 or 5 types of grains. This is a very misleading tactic used by the commercial pet food manufacturers. Each of the grains individually may be slightly less in quantity than the meat. But added together? They're probably nearly 2, 3, 4 or 5 times the quantity of the meat ingredient.

After having looked into this issue in a great deal of detail, I'm convinced that the most healthy diet for your dog is mainly fresh meat, with some fresh veges and a little grain thrown in. And this alone is probably NOT enough, because of the leeching of nutrients from the soil due to environmental soil erosion that is extremely widespread today. You need to give your dog a vitamin supplement always, for optimal health.

And for the very best health, there ARE some reputable HEALTHY, wholesome, holistic dog food manufacturers, which really DO provide wonderfully healthy food for our dogs.

If you're game to read the whole shocking report published by the U.S. Animal Protection Institute, about what's really in commercial pet food, it's posted at: www.HealthyHappyDogs.com/APIArticle

You can read about the vitamins I recommend at Recommended Pet Vitamins

And for details of the best dog food manufacturers, see all the details here: Really Healthy Premium Pet Food

(c) 2007, Brigitte Smith, Healthy Happy Dogs

Brigitte Smith is a dog lover with a special interest in holistic dog health. Her other site, Healthy Happy Dogs, has pages and pages of information on improving your dog's health naturally.

For your special FREE report - "How to Improve Your Dog's Health Within 30 Days - Maybe Even Lengthen Your Dog's Life!", Click Here for Your Free Dog Health Report!

A Natural Diet Will Improve Your Dog's Health
by: Brigitte Smith

It goes without saying that your dog needs suitable nutrition to remain healthy. But just what is suitable nutrition for your dog?

It's difficult to know just what natural dog food is, because vets and pet food manufacturers often have vastly differing views on what is appropriate nutrition for your dog.

Why are commercially prepared foods routinely recommended as part of an adequate, or good, diet for your dog? - particularly in view of the fact that commercial pet food manufacturers are motivated in large part (or wholly) by profits.

You may be in a position where your vet or perhaps the dog breeder you purchased your dog from may approve of commercially prepared foods as your dog’s sole diet.

Many experts in dog nutrition, however, tend to prefer a largely natural diet for dogs, which is invariably comprised of meat and bones. Raw is preferable to cooked, as some of the minerals are definitely lost in the cooking process.

There are very, very few commercial dog food manufacturers that produce nutrient-rich food for pets. And of the few that do have some nutritive value, they're not the brands you'll find in your supermarket, or even in most pet stores or vetinarians.

All dogs must obtain reasonable nutrition from their food to maintain excellent health and performance. The main nutrients required by your dog are water, proteins, fats, carbohydrates, minerals and vitamins. Vitamin or mineral deficiency in dogs fed a commercially manufactured diet today is not widely publicized. But then again, the slosh and dried formulae which are readily available from your vet or the local supermarket are definitely not your dog’s natural diet.

If ever your dog was left to fend for itself in the wild (assuming it could manage to adapt, that is), s/he would choose to eat raw meat. One of the reasons why meat, and especially bones, are so good, is the chewing action and the teeth cleaning function which the bones perform. Of course, there are also commercially prepared substitutes which can also effectively clean your dog‘s teeth and satisfy his/her need to chew. Some of these are better than others. There are some very good treats that can help clean your dog's teeth.

A lesser known fact is that to feed your dog only meat (with no bones and no cereals or other carbohydrate source) may result in quite severe deficiencies: your dog could become lethargic, and sick. It is said that even death has been known to occur from an all meat diet. But what about dogs in the wild, I hear you ask? Isn’t meat a dog’s natural diet? Isn’t that what you just said, Brigitte? Well, yes and no: in the wild dogs eat the whole of their prey, not simply muscle meat - they thus obtain vegetable matter from the digestive tract of their prey, and calcium from the bones. In addition, wild dogs will occasionally add to their diet with plants, fruit and berries.

Most dogs relish some raw fruit and vegetables in their diet, so long as they're used to eating those types of foods. A dog who has been fed commercially prepared dog food all of its life won't be used to the taste of fresh food, so may well turn up his/her nose if you introduce such healthy food later in life. But do persevere - you could try hand feeding pieces of carrot or apple to begin with. And if your dog is still very young, all the better. Start as you intend to go on - feed your puppy some raw fruit and vegetables from time to time - natural dog food.

Remember, though, meat should be the staple of your dog's diet. Preferably raw meat - natural dog food. But certainly not overprocessed food that barely looks or smells like fresh meat any more.

Your dog's health will benefit!

(c) 2007, Brigitte Smith, Healthy Happy Dogs

For some specific dog food reviews, and more on natural dog food, click on the hyperlinks to go to other helpful articles here in the Healthier Dogs site.