With all the talk about holistic dog food, it can be challenging to sift through all the information about what’s good and what’s not in what goes in your dog’s meals, in order to distill the truth about a healthy diet for our dogs. What is natural and holistic dog food and what benefits can your dog get out of it?

Holistic methods are generally regarded in the human world as the healthier alternative to treating the body’s over-all well-being. This means that you are looking at the body as a whole, and not just individual parts. Humans benefit greatly from this and it is widely accepted that canines will as well. Holistic dog food is becoming more and more popular to responsible pet owners all over the world.

What Is Holistic Dog Food?

When we talk about holistic dog food, the food that is being given to dogs should have elements that are good for the dog not just in his physical body, but will hone his mental agility as well. When these are all in alignment, your dog will look good and have a happier disposition. Now what pet owner doesn’t wish that for his beloved best friend?

So what are the nutrients that your dog needs for good health? It is important that dogs have a lot of protein in his diet  – meat is the best source of good protein. Many commercial pet foods use less than favorable protein sources like soybean and corn which will not be as good for your dog. Protein deficiency will lead to poor skin and coat, lack of appetite, diarrhea, vomiting, shedding and timidity/aggression.

Aside from meat, canines also require the essential vitamins and minerals to keep him strong and healthy. Examples of these vitamins are vitamin A, D, E, K, B1 (thiamin), Riboflavin, B6, Niacin, Pantothenic Acid, B12, and Folic Acid. You can find most of these vitamins in fresh fruits and vegetables so make it a point to throw in a few pieces of these in your dog’s diet. You can chop them off and sprinkle it over his meals. Or you can feed it to him as doggie treats after a good day of dog obedience training.

Sometimes people overlook the importance of specific minerals in their dog’s diet. For example a lack of calcium leads to hyperparathyroidism and weak bones and phosphorous deficiency will result in weight loss and reduced appetite. Feed your dog uncooked bones from chicken, turkey or meat to supplement his calcium and phosphorous needs.

The problem with these essential minerals is that they are lost during the processing of dog food. It is therefore critical that you choose premium dog food brands that use the right technology and ingredients that will ensure the preservation of these nutrients. It may mean a few extra dollars a bag, but it is a worthwhile investment that will go towards your dog’s health.

Choose Holistic Dog Food!

Choose natural and holistic dog food over the commercial fare and have a happy and healthy dog when you do.