Articles About Dogs

Dog Food - Which Diet is Best for Dogs?

Why The Food You Give Your Dog Matters!

If you're like most dog owners, you probably assume that commerical dog foods with brand names that are easily identifiable - Purina, Iams, Pedigree, etc. - must be good for your pets, right? After all, millions of pet owners buy them and feed them to their beloved pets, and surely they wouldn't all give their dogs something harmful. Unfortunately, this may just be the case.

Now, before I get any further along, let me make it clear that I am not a veterinarian. I do, however, have a science background and education, and I've had more dogs in my care in one year than most people will have in a lifetime. As an observant and naturally curious person, I've paid close attention in the past 20 years to the general health of my pets and those I've had in my care through a rescue shelter I was involved with for several of those years. I've also picked the brains of several top vets in my state in my quest to get to the heart of the matter concerning the best dog diet.

What has become abundantly clear is that one type of diet stands well above all others in terms of fostering good health and long life. More on that later...

I've seen dogs fed commercial foods, both wet and dry, from the cheapest brands to the so-called "premium" brands. I've also seen dogs who were fed vegan or vegetarian diets, as well as those fed raw meat and bones (known popularly as the BARF Diet). While individual dogs will do just fine on any of these widely divergent diets, what I've looked for are general trends in population subsets. How do these 10 dogs fare in their lifetimes when they eat cheap kibble every day? How about those 12 dogs who are getting a vegetarian diet all the time? And what happens to those 25 dogs who are being given a raw meat and bones diet? These are the types of questions I've asked as I've dealt with large numbers of dogs and their owners or keepers over the years.

These have in no way been controlled experiments, and I would never attempt to pass them off as authoritative or as adhering to any strict interpretation of the scientific method. In other words, take my conclusions with a large grain of salt. I'm really just out to get the wheels turning in the minds of all dog lovers who read these words.

After all of this careful observation and tracking, clear patterns have emerged time and time again...

Dogs that eat commercial kibble or wet food have lots of health problems later in life and tend to die youngest. This is even true when they've been fed "premium" dog foods, sadly.

Dogs that are fed vegetarian diets do better, but must be given large amounts of alternative protein sources to make up for the lack of it in standard vegetarian fare. A purely vegetarian diet is difficult to provide that will satisfy a canine's basic nutritional needs, but it is healthier and leads to slightly longer lifespans than any commercial brand diet.

Without any doubt (based on what I've seen over many years and hundreds of dogs), the best possible diet to feed your dogs is raw meat and bones with an occasional slop made up of vegetables, fruits, and organ meat. I've seen clear and compelling evidence that this diet leads to three amazing results: much better overall health, excellent dental health, and longer lifespans.

Countless times, I've seen dogs with repeating, nagging health issues (obesity, allergies, etc.) turn completely around on a raw meat and bones diet. And it doesn't take long to see how much whiter and cleaner their teeth become. This is actually very important (dental health), because a growing number of vets suspect a link between the bacteria produced by poor dental hygiene and internal complications as dogs age. Because dogs have to crunch through raw chicken, beef, or pork bones daily, they get and keep very clean teeth in short order.

It still amazes me to hear the feedback from a dog owner who has converted to the raw meat and bones diet. Virtually without fail, they all become true believers. In some cases, the improvement in their dogs is nothing short of startling.

A common fear voiced by many owners is the worry over the bones getting caught in their dog's throat or splintering and cutting them internally. This is a common misconception that actually does apply to COOKED bones. Never give your dog a cooked bone (especially chicken bones)! Raw bones, however, are no more of a threat than any other mouthful of food your dog chews. I have yet to deal with even one case of a dog on this diet having any kind of serious problem with the bones (out of hundreds).

Yes, handling raw meat and bones requires a commitment many are uncomfortable with. You have to get over the 'yuckiness' and embrace the benefits to your dogs! Another issue is finding a good source of affordable products. It's a good idea to locate a chicken processing plant nearby. They will often sell chicken cages (breast bones and related parts). Chicken cages are ideal because they provide a good balance of meat and bone - not too much of either in proportion to the other.

However, you should not always feed chicken. Mix things up to vary their protein sources a bit. Get some pork and some beef now and then to keep things lively and to provide your dogs with important nutrional elements that the chicken alone probably isn't providing. And don't forget to mix up a slop of green veggies, carrots, apples, bananas, and some raw livers or hearts at least twice a month. [*Note: have your pet checked for allergic reactions to any of those ingredients before trying this for the first time. Adjust accordingly.]

This is the main idea behind the success of the raw meat and bones diet: it comes closest to simulating the exact types of foods dogs ate all during their evolution. Think about it. Did dogs eat processed commercial food from bags or cans? Did they grow and harvest vegetables, fruits, and grains? Did they dine on cooked meats? Of course not! They evolved eating prey the pack took down and scavenging the carcasses of former kills. All raw!

You might be wondering, given this evolutionary perspective, why I'm suggesting that you prepare and feed a veggie-fruit slop every now and then. Good question! It's a bit unsettling to ponder, but consider the state of the prey (or dead bodies) that dogs ate all those years they were evolving. The animals they ate also ate, and more often than not, that meant their stomachs contained undigested vegetables, fruits, and other plant matter. The dogs dining on them didn't ignore that stuff - it got eaten along with everything else that could be stripped from the body.

So you see, this diet works because it mimics what dogs naturally fed on for tens of thousands of years. It really is that simple. There's nothing deep or esoteric about it at all.

Just try it. Take this challenge: give your dogs a raw meat and bones diet for 60 days. Try to find a meat and bones source that is close to a 50/50 meat-bone ratio (chicken breast cages from a processing plant are great, but you can also try pork necks or beef ribs from any grocery store). If you go the pork or beef route, give your pet plenty of time to wear down the raw bones. Chicken bones are soft and easily chewed up, but pork and beef bones take much longer. If you don't see any noticeable improvements - healthier coat, more energy, better teeth, excellent blood work-ups - go back to his former diet.

If you do take the challenge, I'm betting you'll be fairly amazed and continue. About 90% of those I know who've tried it stick with it. Give it 60 days. Isn't a healthier, happier dog who lives longer worth it?

John Schwartz has written extensively about dog health issues, safe dog products, and humane dog training practices. He is a passionate advocate for ethical dog adoptions and promotes spay and neuter education. His website can be found at http://www.puppies-dogs-supplies.com

Other Article Sites

findabook.com  moneycd.info  a-mortgage.info   about-lemon-laws.info  aboutstudentloans.info
all-about-publishing.info  auctions-articles.info  bestcollege-university.com  bestispconnection.com
biblefolder.com  blogger-website.com  books-used.info  brokers-guide.info  buywindows.info  cable-dsl.info
career-miner.com  carpel-tunnel.info  cashinaflash.info  cashloanreviews.info  casinobell.com  chat-house.info
clearmycredit.info  collegeloantips.info  crones.info  depression-articles.info   dirnic.net  dishguides.info
divers-below.com  expodog.info   financewizz.com  fire-insurance.info  getgood.info  handleit.net   it-idea.info
health-supplies.info  hosting-right.com  insidealert.com  insurance-facts.info  jobs-employment.info
justgood.info  lookgold.net   lowcost-travel.info  money-source.info  myhostzone.info  numisblog.com
peoplesearchfinder.info  pr-articles.info  realeas.com   refinancing-guides.info  spyware-remove.info
telelot.info  the-law.info   toppaid.info  travel-deals.info  travelcorrect.com  wedding-guide-site.com
your-blog.info  your-credit.info

MORE ARTICLES:

Dog Obedience Training
Dog obedience training begins with the owner. There are several tips to keep in mind before starting any dog obedience training.

Competition Dog Training, Important Tips
Dog competitions are exciting events in which their owners can demonstrate the skills of their dogs For many weeks, the dog trainer spends hours with her pet to ensure that he can perfectly execute commands

XfuseNews.com Takes Poll, Should 'Dog The Bounty Hunter' Reality Show be Cancelled?
Popular website www.xfusenews.com is hosting a respondent poll to find out what America thinks should be the fate of this pop culture favorite television show after Duane 'Dog' Chapman's use of an inflammatory word to describe his son's girlfriend. Check out A&E for the results.

Dog Costumes and Outfits from Annie's Costumes are Featured On Newest Reality Show -- Greatest American Dog
Annie's Costumes offers dog lovers an opportunity to buy their dogs the costumes shown in the newest popular CBS TV Show

5 Easy Tips For Identifying Dog Skin Problems
Itchy skin, hair loss, constant scratching, ear and anal gland problems are the most common indicators of a dog skin problem Although there are many canine skin disorders, the 5 following tips will help to identify some of the more common dog skin problems

Get Your Dog Safely Through a Storm
Thunder storms affected pets differently. Some hardly notice them, others get extremely worked up.

A Beginner's Guide On Dog Training
According to Sarpell, what happens to puppies while they are growing in their mothers womb consequently affects their long-term behavior because puppies are sensitive in the womb. The presence of modern technology such as a scan has made it possible to study the behavior of a puppy while it instill within the mothers womb. Technological advancements have led to a clearer understanding of dogs and their behaviors.

Dog Fences
If you are already tired from the left and right complaints from neighbors and people passing by about how your dog behave every time they walk by then this is the high time for you to think about putting up a fence Although you consider your dog your best friend and that you want your dog to be treated just like any other members of the family

Home Dog Grooming Tips
Dog grooming refers to the practice of maintaining the appearance of a dog for public showing or personal hygiene reasons Grooming dogs includes things like shampooing, hair clipping, hair styling, powdering, nail clipping and teeth cleaning

Exercises For Different Dog Breeds
Dogs of different breeds behave differently and have different physical characteristics It is therefore advised that different breeds of dogs should get different exercise routines so that they do not get over exhausted or obese

Which Dog is Right For You?
When people get dogs they choose a dog breed haphazardly and based off of what they believe are nice looking or sounds fun. It may be ok to do that, depending where the dog will be living. However, some folks live in places where particular dog breeds should not be purchased. Large dogs will require more space in a residence and a bigger backyard than smaller dogs. Some dogs are tremendous watch dogs, but they won't be able to prevent the entry of a burglar or any unwanted guest. Food is something else to consider. Large dog breeds will need substantially more food than smaller dog breeds. Lets take a look at some popular breeds and what will be required for each.

Help Fido Dog Enjoy a Tick-free Summer
Pets tend to spend more of their time outdoors in the warmer summer months. In case of dogs, it is essential to be cautious about parasites, bugs and micro organisms that can harm them while they are enjoying the fresh air. Precautions are necessary to keep such dangers away. One of the major pests that can cause a lot of damage is ticks since they can carry contagious diseases. Avoiding ticks initially is more preferable than trying to treat them at a later stage.

Dog Treats Don't Have To Be Bad For Your Dog
Although there are a lot of dog treats (http://healthierdogs.com/dog_food/homemade-dog-treats/) obtainable from the market nowadays, the solution is to discover the most excellent, most wholesome treats you can. To do this, you have to read the product labels and check dog treat components. Dog treats and foodstuffs are obligated to list ingredients from the most amounts down to the least like in human foods.

Dog Food Tips For Preventing Fussy Eaters
There is much to recommend feeding your dog homemade dog food if you have the time to prepare it, and make sure you have recipes that give the correct ratio of nutrients, as well as the vitamins and supplements you'll need to add. These can be mixed up in a bag, stored, and sprinkled in every meal.