Dog Food Health

Facts A Dog Owner Should Know in Choosing Dog food health .

Owning a pet is one of the top hobbies among Americans. Since the domestication of pet animals, especially dogs, many people have found a good companion in these pets.

They are not only a worthwhile companion but are also a fulfilling ones. Pet owners, especially the dog owners, can feel that they are quite fulfilled especially when they can find how healthy their dogs are.

Based on the research by American Pet Product Manufacturers Association, pet owners account 6 in every 10 households in the US with more than 60 million homes accounted to have a pet. Yet such number is growing.

In fact, the number of homes with pet in 1988 has only reached at 50% of the total household which jumped to 60% in the recent years. With more homes acquiring pets, it is not surprising that spending in pet food and other pet care products has amounted to almost $16 billion dollars this year.

But having a pet has so many things to consider. As pet owners, one should be knowledgeable in pet handling and at the same time nutrition. Pets can be considered an extended family member likewise, nutrition for them is also imperative.

Surely, one would not just feed his pets any food but something that would ensure the pet's health. Choosing a nutritious meal for pet is like availing insurance premiums to one's pet.

There are lots of dog foods that can be available in the market nowadays. However, as a consumer, one has to be careful in choosing the right food. Here are some guidelines for pet owners in choosing a Dog food health .

1. The Myth of the Brand Names

Most of the pet owners are easily lured by the brand names especially when it is highly advertised. However, it is best to uncover some of the ingredients found in those leading pet food in order to ensure healthy dog food.
The best way to gauge if the said dog food is good for one's pet is to check if it has at least 60% meat content and the remaining 40% can be divided between veggies and carbohydrate. Considering that dogs evolved from their carnivorous nature, it is best to stuff them with meat that realy fits their own nature

2. Dogs are not vegetarian.

While this can be very alarming to PETA advocates who campaigned against use of animal flesh in food, for dogs, it would be the contrary. Dogs by nature are not vegitarian. Feeding them with vegetable is not only adequate but also deprives dogs of the the needed nutrients they can get from meat. Meat has certain enzymes that are vital for the dog's health.

3. Dogs share the same grade of food with humans

One fact that is usually overlooked by dog owners is that their pet's food are of lesser grade than that of what they eat. But vets' held an opposing view. Accordting to a number of dog dieticians, dogs must eat the same grade as humans do. For this reason, dog owner's must ensure that dog foods they give to their pet's must be of human grade in order.

Although dogs eat at the same grade as humans do, it does not mean that all human food can be good to one's pet. Human foods, like chocolates and those which contains alcohol, can be very toxic to dogs. Extra precaution should be given to pet owners when feeding their pets with the same food that they are consuming.

4. Beware of Preservatives

Preservatives have proven to be carcinogenic especially those which contains BHA, BHT and Ethoxyquin. While these preservatives can be very harmful to one's pet, however, natural preservatives like Vitamin E and Vitamin C can be very beneficial to the pet's health.

In choosing the best meal for one's pet, one should not be thinking for the palatable appeal but on the beneficial nutrition one's pet can get from that Dog food health .