According to the Pet Food Institute US consumers spend 11 billion dollars a year on pet food for their dogs and cats. There is a large variety of dog food on the market with a lot of different names that fall into various categories. A dog owner might find something called Beef Dog Food, or Lamb Dinner, or Chicken Formula. To make matters even more confusing the dog food may fall into sub categories like senior, premium, gourmet, or natural. What do these different names mean and how do they affect the nutritional value of your dog\’s food?
Some veterinarians recommend examining the label of the food with an eye on three main sections of the ingredients label and manufacturers claim; these are the life stage claim, the contact information, and the manufacturer.
The word feeding should appear in the life stage claim. This assures that the food was proven to be nutritionally adequate when fed to animals in controlled tests.
Probably the most important part of the label is the ingredient section. This part should be scrutinized carefully. There is a big difference between whole chicken or beef and chicken or beef byproducts. Choice cuts could mean chicken heads, feet, and intestines. Choice cuts of beef could mean cow brains, tongue, and fetal tissue, which is dangerously high in hormones, it could even mean diseased or cancerous meat. If you see the word animal byproducts on the label you could be buying any of these organs and body parts. Any pet food with soybean on the label is not a good sign. Dogs lack the enzymes in the gut to digest vegetable matter of this sort and it can be a source of gas and parasites which thrive in the putrid mass that lays as undigested sludge in a dog\’s intestines.
Another good thing to check is the contact information. Although the only contact information required is the name and address of the manufacturer, it\’s a good idea if they list their phone number as well. Should your dog become sick or if you have any questions about the food its good to know that you can call the manufacturer to ask questions about their product. If there is no real contact information on the label it may be by design and if you have no way to check the authenticity or where the food originated you really can\’t be sure what you\’re buying.
The controversy over dog food is growing all the time and many dog food manufacturers have become more open about the products and preservatives they use in their dog food. Yet there are dog foods on the market that some veterinarians have labeled as poison. If you really want a peak at what may be in your dogs food and how the food is preserved and processed you should read the free report at healthy-pet-treats.info it could make a big difference in the life of your pet.
Also remember to wash your hands after handling dry or moist dog food, Salmonella contamination is common and it can affect pet owners and their families, especially children. Dog Food Secrets.
John Steele