Be Careful What You Feed Your Dog

The cost of feeding your dog proper nutrition is far less than treating the side effects of bad nutrition.

The Costs of Improper Nutrition

Nutrition is the foundation for optimal health for pets as well as people. Pet food should be wholesome and nourishing. In order to be sure your pet is getting the proper nutrition, read the labels and check the ingredients. It is also very important to chose a pet food that uses high quality, “human grade” ingredients. This assures that the ingredients on the label are what is truly in the food.

Some of the side effects that can result from improper nutrition are:

1. itchy red skin
2. dandruff
3. oily coat
4. runny eyes
5. chewing on paws
6. red sore ears

Imagine eating the same diet day after day for your entire life… not very appetizing is it? Now, imagine that same diet lacking the vitamins and minerals needed for strong healthy bodies. Since we need good nutrition to stay healthy, it would not take long to become weak and sickly. As unhealthy as this sounds, this is what most of our pets experience their entire lives. As a result they are getting sicker and sicker.

Substandard Ingredients in Commercial Dog Food

Keep in mind that any ingredients that are not considered “human grade” are not subject to any FDA or other screening. Pet food has no federal inspection of ingredients. This means the ingredient list on most commercial dog foods is not truly accurate.

Meat by-products: The “by-products” from the meat, but not including meat: lungs, spleen, kidneys, brains, liver, blood, bone, intestines, none of which are fit for human consumption.

Meat meal: Meat meal can consist of just about any conceivable meat source. Even destroyed dogs and cats are rendered into meat meal for several name-brand animal foods.

Beet Pulp: Beet pulp is the dried residue from the sugar beet. It is a source of sugar and fiber. However, it can seriously bind a dog’s digestive tract.

BHT, BHA: Chemical preservatives such as BHT and BHA have caused many concerns when tested on laboratory animals.

Ethoxyquin: Ethoxyquin is a chemical preservative used to prevent spoilage in dog foods. It is a 1950’s Monsanto product manufactured and sold as a chemical for making rubber! It is listed as a pesticide by the U.S. Department of agriculture.

Unnecessary additions to dog food or treats:

Corn: Corn, used as a cheap filler and protein source. Corn can cause common allergies such as skin disorders, increased chewing on paws or ear infections.

Corn gluten meal: Corn gluten meal is by by-product after the manufacture of corn syrup or starch.

Wheat or Wheat Gluten: Used as a cheap filler and protein source. Also a high allergen for skin disorders, and ear infections.

What Should You Feed Your Dog

Avoiding the unnecessary ingredients above is a great start to better nutrition for your dog. There are good foods out there, you just have to be diligent in your search for the right one. One brand that I personally recommend is Life’s Abundance. You can read more about this food by clicking here.