Trying to decide what to feed your dog can be very confusing. The listing of ingredients on the package may be written in scientific terms which makes it further confusing to the consumer. We as consumers need to educate ourselves as to the meaning of these terms. Remember you are looking for ingredients that you recognize and you would eat.
What to look for:
1. some type of meat source should be the first ingredient
2. some vegetables should be listed
3. avoid BHT ( belated hydroxytoluene) may cause liver damage
4. avoid BHA (butylated hydroxyanisole) it is a carcinogen
5. propylene glycol used as a preservative and can cause illness in dogs
6. EQ-ethoxyquin may cause liver tumors
7. animal byproducts the things that can't be eaten by humans is included
If your dog is experiencing problems with their health perhaps this is an area to begin researching. As you begin to read labels make sure that meat is the first ingredient on the list. The order of ingredients is the order of how much there is of that ingredient in the food. Be concerned about the fillers like corn or wheat in your dry food. To much corn or wheat can cause an allergic reaction in your dog and digestive problems. Protein should be around 20%; also remember that some dogs are allergic to certain meat sources in dry food and that reaction may not show up for a month. You can always add fresh fruit and vegetables to your dogs dry food to give them a variety. If you decide to make your own biscuits here some suggestions:
One of the easiest way to give your dog genuine natural dog biscuits is to make them yourself. Now this is easier then you think and can be a family project. The internet has many web site dedicated to recipes and methods for making dog biscuits. One think to take into consideration when making biscuits is that your dog doesn't have an allergy to wheat or corn. If they do, you can substitute rye, barley, spelt, or chickpea flour in place of wheat flour. You don't need to go buy cookie cutters shaped like dog bones or any other cute shape. Just cut your biscuits into strips, circles or any other shape you like. Your dog will still love you.
Begin with your present dog food and see what ingredients are in your present food. If your dog has had recent health issues perhaps it is his food. Always remember to check with your vet before changing your dogs diet.
Written by a dog owner whose four Jack Russell Terriers suffered many allergies, only to discover that they were caused by their dog food. To learn more about organic dog treats, come visit me at http://sites.google.com/site/howtodineyourcanine where you will find more information on dog treats, natural dog food and how to keep your dog healthy.
