All Natural Dog Food – Best Choice for Dog Food by Dorothy Loll
When you hear someone talking about all natural dog food, what goes through your mind? You may think of commercial pet foods with the word natural on the package. You may think of homemade dog food prepared in someone’s own kitchen. What about table scraps? Does that sound like an all natural food for your pet to you? Although all natural Pet Food may sound healthier than just regular pet food, is it?
Let’s talk about commercial Dog Foods first. Many processed foods are made with low-grade meat, meat by-products and meal, corn and wheat grains used as filler, high fat, and usually preservatives and colorants.
Fillers are an inexpensive way to increase the quantity of the food. Fillers keep the cost of processed pet foods affordable compared to natural foods. When comparing Natural Dog Foods to processed ones, you will find the difference between the prices and the nutritional value very apparent. Of course, processed pet foods have little protein content and are not as nutritious for your furry friend.
Preservatives are used to extend the shelf life of the dog food, as well as decrease the need for refrigeration of the food. Preservatives used in pet foods are not the same preservatives used in human food. These preservatives are stronger and can cause health problems in your pet. I would seriously question a package of dried dog food that has a label stating no preservatives or preservative free. Since dried meat cannot be kept indefinitely on a shelf without preservatives, there is either no meat in the food or there is a preservative in it. Either way, it isn’t a healthy food for your dog.
We all know artificial colors are added to make the food more attractive to the humans who buy the pet food. Added colors do nothing to help with the nutrition or health of your dog.
Many dog experts advocate cooking your own pet food. Although it is better than buying commercially processed dog food, valuable nutrients can be lost during cooking. Vitamins and enzymes are essential for a healthy dog, but can be lost during cooking. Other nutrients become altered by cooking. Fat changes from a beneficial food to a harmful one during the cooking process.
Many people believe it is okay to give a pet table scraps. Feeding your dog table scraps is generally not a good idea. Table scraps consisting of raw fruit and vegetables or lightly cooked meat potentially could be a better option than commercial or homemade pet foods. However, if your meal consists of processed foods or fried foods, these table scraps are no better than the commercial pet food. There is an additional risk of your dog eating some foods that are hazardous to him or her, such as walnuts, raisins, grapes, tomato leaves and stems, spinach, rhubarb, Swiss chard, and several more.
Therefore, commercial dog food, home-cooked dog food and table scraps do not qualify as all natural dog foods and are not healthy alternatives for man’s best friend.
Before commercial foods, dogs survived on raw meat and carrion. A dog’s digestive system cannot effectively handle preservatives, fillers, low-grade protein and high fat. If you can provide your dog with an all natural food, you reduce the risk of your dog developing health problems.
An all natural diet for your dog should include good quality protein. This can include cooked ground beef, lamb and poultry. Use quality meat that does not contain antibiotics, hormones or chemicals. Organ meat such as kidneys and livers can also be added. A variety of fruits and vegetables and starches, such as rice or pasta, can also supplement your dog’s diet. Be advised that when you change your dog’s diet from commercial pet food to an all natural dog food, your dog may have some intestinal problems. This is normal whenever you change your dog’s food, but it shouldn’t last more than a day or two, depending on your dog’s health and age.
About the Author
Dorothy Loll is a writer who takes dog ownership seriously. You can check out her latest website at HealthiestDogFood.net, where she provides information on raising a healthy, happy dog for your family pet. See her report on Dog Fod Allergies.
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