Posts Tagged ‘Pet Food Companies’
Every owner these days seems to have their own ideas on what constitutes a healthy balanced diet for their dog. How many of them are reliably imformed though? The following questions are designed to critically assess your dogs diet. Please read them, for your dogs sake.
1) How many times a day do you feed your dog?
There is no set rule for adult dogs but the general consensus is that twice a day is a sensible amount. Some owners feed once a day, some three times a day. How much your dog is fed is far more important than how often really, but it is useful to set guidelines nevertheless. The reason many experts suggest twice a day rather than once a day is that once a day feeding encourages the dog to gorge his or her food as he or she is so hungry, having last had a meal a full 24 hours ago. Eating too quickly can cause reflex regurgitation or vomiting. Also it has been theorized that deep chested large breed dogs are more likely to suffer from a twisted stomach (gastric dilatation and volvulus), a life threatening condition, if they are fed one large meal daily rather than two smaller meals.
Clearly more active dogs will burn far more calories than others but these variables are best reflected in portion size rather than frequency. Some dogs with medical conditions may benefit from multiple meals of smaller portions, for example those recovering from gastroenteritis. Puppies must be fed more often than adult dogs as they have a higher metabolic rate, around 4 times a day from weaning to around 5 months old, then drop down to 3 times a day until 7 months old, then down to twice a day thereafter.
2) Is your dogs diet manufactured specifically for dogs or do you give human food or food from the butchers?
There is a misconception around that human food is higher quality than dog food, and therefore better for them. This is by and large nonsense. Reputable dog foods are formulated after extensive trials by pet food companies to provide the mixture of protein, carbohydrate and fat that suits canine physiology best. Dogs on balanced dog food diets do not get nutritional deficiencies but dogs on human food do. Certain human titbits can play havoc with your dogs digestive tract, chocolate being a prime example.
Your dog need ingest nothing other than a complete dog food and water to have a complete and balanced diet. Remember, dogs do not need variety in their diet! They are perfectly happy having the same boring looking meal every day! So keep it simple and safe, feed your dog either a complete dog food (dry or tinned, dry is better for their teeth) or standard dog biscuits and tinned dog meat together. Of course human leftovers every now and again or a bit of tripe or heart from the butcher is fine, but do not make it the day to day diet.
3) Which is the best dog food to choose?
There are so many different brands of dog food on the market, the best one is basically a matter of opinion. Certainly palatability is a factor, there is no point in purchasing a particular food if your dog cannot stand it, although this is occasionally a necessity in dogs with food allergies, for example. Rather than recommending you a specific brand, we suggest that you choose one which adheres to the criteria below.
Dog foods labeled as complete and balanced must meet standards established by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO), either by meeting a nutrient profile or by passing a feeding trial. There are now two separate nutrient profiles for dogs – one for growth (puppies) and one for maintenance (adults). Maximum levels of intake of some nutrients have been established for the first time because of the concern that overnutrition, rather than undernutrition, is a bigger problem with many pet foods today. The standards include recommendations on protein, fat, fat soluble vitamins, water soluble vitamins, and mineral content of foods. If you are prepared to get technical, you should choose a food that comes closest to AAFCO recommendations.
In summary, consider the following points.
Choose a food that suits your dogs age, breed and overall health. Most big pet food companies will have different foods for small vs large breeds, and puppies vs adults. Dogs with medical conditions may be recommended special prescription diets.
Choose a food that come closest to AAFCO recommendations.
The ingredients contains the truth about a particular food. Everything else is there only for marketing purposes.
There are no legal and scientific definitions for the terms premium, super premium, quality, or natural.
Use dry matter numbers to evaluate and compare foods.
The source of ingredients (e.g. animal vs vegetable) does not matter, except in the case of food allergies.
Avoid supplementation. All commercial dog foods have more than enough protein, fat, vitamins, and minerals. Too many minerals can lead to severe skeletal problems in growing dogs.
Feeding your dog a good food incorrectly can lead to significant problems. For example, overfeeding puppies can lead to serious skeletal problems. Neutered dogs require portions 20% smaller than unneutered dogs or they will put on weight.
4) How many times a day do you give your dog treats?
It is hard to resist those puppy dog eyes begging you for a little piece of what you are eating. Indeed treats promote a special bond between you and your dog and it gives such pleasure when they have a delicious morsel to savor. The key word is MODERATION. If you are giving your dog regular treats, you must subtract this amount from the portion given at meal time to maintain a appropriate calorie intake. As a rule of thumb the amount of treats should never exceed 10% of your dogs daily food intake. It is far easier to make your dog obedient if you reserve treats for rewarding good behavior rather than just giving them willy nilly, where they become meaningless.
5) What do your dogs treats consist of?
Quality dog treats are usually far healthier and lower in calories than table scraps. Many dogs are fed scraps habitually from the table while families are eating, particularly by children. This only encourages further begging and feeding with often unsuitable high calorie treats which are forgotten about when it comes to measuring the dogs daily portion(s).
Article Source: http://www.hobbyarticledirectory.com
Dr Matthew Homfray is one of the veterinary pet experts at www.WhyDoesMyPet.com. Our dedicated community of caring pet experts are waiting to offer you advice, second opinions and support.
Food allergies are not exclusive to humans, but they can be difficult to diagnose in pets, especially when dog food allergies appear to manifest quickly. The biggest problem of course, is the pet’s inability to communicate the symptoms effectively, and they are many times confused with other ailments.
Symptoms of dog food allergies may include excessive scratching, hair loss, skin infections as well as ear infections. Most times antibiotics used for skin infections will clear them up briefly, but they will reoccur when the antibiotics are stopped. An animal with itchy skin that does not seem to improve with the use of antihistamines or steroids, may be suffering from food allergies.
There is also a difference between food allergies and food intolerance. An intolerance to certain foods may cause symptoms such as diarrhea or frequent bowel movements and vomiting. Fortunately, whether the animal is suffering from food Allergy or food intolerance, once the proper diagnosis has been made, they can both be treated.
Since most dog food is made from beef, chicken, wheat, eggs, soy and dairy products, it should be no surprise that most food allergies are caused by one of these ingredients. When pet food companies began producing lamb and rice formulations, many dog allergies seemed to disappear. Most veterinarians agree that it is not because of something special in the lamb and rice formula that reduced the incidences of food allergies in dog , rather it is the fact that the dog’s diet was changed and the animal has not developed an intolerance for the new food.
Dietary Change To Test For Food Allergies
Once other causes have been ruled out, such as flea bite allergies, intestinal parasites, yeast or bacterial infections a dietary change may be needed to reduce the symptoms of dog food allergies. A new food source containing protein and carbohydrate should be the only diet of the pet for at least 12 weeks to determine which of the ingredients in their old pet food was causing the allergic reaction.
The food source must be completely different from what the animal was used to and cannot be supplemented with treats or other types of food if the test is to be effective. Once it has been determined the pet is not having an adverse reaction to the new diet, different foods can be added to help develop a more diverse diet. However, any addition must go through the same test procedures and if any reaction is noted, the new addition will need to be eliminated.
Article Source: http://www.hobbyarticledirectory.com
Find more Helpful Allergy Air Purifier Relief tips, advice Click Here: www.allergyairpurifierrelief.com A Popular website that specializes in tips and resources to include Air Filter Allergy.
A healthy dog is a thin dog. Unfortunately obesity in dogs in a major health problem in pets. Food is a primary motivator for most dogs and the more the better. But more food isn’t good for your dog. Canines are carnivores. Most carnivores eat until there isn’t anything left to eat. That works if you’re a wolf and you’ve just brought down a deer. It could be several days or a week before you get anything much else to eat. Other members of your pack may be competing with you for a place at the “table,” so to speak. Stuffing yourself with as much as you can hold makes sense. It isn’t easy helping your dog lose weight but you can do it.
That same instinct is what drives domesticated dogs to overeat. They don’t know how much is good for them so they keep eating until there isn’t anything left. There are even dogs who have had to be taken to the emergency clinic because they’ve eaten an entire sheet cake and their stomachs are literally ready to burst.
Check with your vet for the right amount of food for your dog based on his weight (the dog’s not the vet’s) age and activity levels. The amounts suggested on dog food packages may or may not be accurate. Just because it says that 2 dry cupfuls a day is what a 20 pound dog should be eating that doesn’t mean it’s the right amount of food for your dog. Pet food companies are in the business to make money so they want you to buy as much dog food as possible.
Measure the food by a cup, don’t just dump it in the bowl figuring it’s close enough. After several weeks check your dog to see if he’s gaining or losing weight by feeling his ribs or weighing him. Many vets will welcome the opportunity to help you weight your pet every few weeks or so without charge.
Make sure any snacks or treats are included in what you feed the dog. Just like humans, dogs can gain weight because they snack too much. Put the day’s daily snack ration in a plastic bag so you won’t be tempted to overfeed. Raw veggies and fruits make good snacks (for both you and your dog). Slice raw carrots, cucumbers, apples and so forth to be at the ready for snack time.
If you and your vet have decided your pooch needs to peel off some pounds, consider supplementing his reduced amount of food with string beans. Canned strings beans work well. Look for the no added salt variety. Add the string beans to his supper so his tummy feels full.
Of course whenever you change a dog’s diet go slowly to avoid digestive problems.
Help your dog lose weight. Keep your dog healthy and at the right weight.
Article Source: http://www.hobbyarticledirectory.com
Free report Keep Your Dog Healthy and Safe. Dee Power is the author of several nonfiction books and the two legged companion of Rose, the Irish Setter and Kate, the English Springer Spaniel. They give two paws up to Dee’s healthy dog food recipes
Choice cuts of beef, juicy chunks of chicken, whole grains and fresh vegetables, all covered in thick creamy gravy, sounds appetizing does it not? What about rotten meat, mouldy grains, pieces of plastic, bones, and euthanatized pets all in a blood and pus sauce, does that sound like something anyone should eat? Of course not!
For millions of pets this is exactly what their masters feed them and they have no choice but to eat it. We are making our pets eat filth that it’s making them sick, and often times killing them and we don’t even know it.
We blindly trust the slick advertising of the pet food companies and believe that the government wouldn’t allow for our dead pets to later be served to our new pets. We are trusting them with our pet’s lives and they are lying to us.
What do we do? How do we protect man’s best friend? How many years do you want to have your beloved dog, 3 years, 5years or 15 years? If you want your dog to have a long healthy life than the answer is simple we must give them quality homemade dog food, the kind of food they deserve. We can add years to their lives by giving them good wholesome food.
You may be thinking that I am exaggerating things to scare you. I’m not, there’s no need to. The colorful bags on the store shelves that picture quality food and happy pets are a ploy. As consumers it is easy for us to believe what we are told, but as the old saying goes don’t judge a book by it’s cover, don’t judge a product by it’s label.
Haven’t you ever wondered why your hand is shiny and covered in a greasy substance after you put your hand in a bag of dog food? Well I will tell you why. Dog food companies cover their product in grease to make it more palatable to your pet.
Most dogs are too smart to eat the garbage used to make their food, so they cover it to mask what it truly is. Oh, this grease they use is restaurant grease, the kind that sits in big vats in the back of restaurants for weeks if not months. Can you imagine what type of bacteria is in those vats? You know what too much grease in a diet does to a human? It is the same for dogs, it eventually kills them.
To protect your dog you need to be feeding it wholesome nourishing food. After all, that’s what you want for yourself, so why should you treat your dog any different? Making home cooked dog food for your pet can be quick and easy and will prolong your dog’s life.
If you’re still not convinced then let me continue. I’m sure you’ve driven down the road and seen the carcass of an animal that was hit by a car. Do you remember what that looked like? Would you ever consider stopping to pick up that rotting road kill to bring home and feed your Fido? Well when you buy a bag of commercial dog food from your local market that is exactly what you are doing.
Unbelievable, but it is true. In addition to the rotten beef, bits and pieces of chicken bones and beaks, and dead pet parts you are also feeding your pet road kill. You can keep these disgusting things out of your pet and prolong his life by giving him homemade dog food.
We are poisoning our pets and making them sick by feeding them this mass produced dog food. Their bodies can’t process all these bacteria and chemicals without it putting a strain on their systems. They weren’t made to digest the garbage put into the commercial dog food we feed them. This food is causing them to get numerous types of cancers, causing their kidneys to fail, and shutting down their organs.
Article Source: http://www.hobbyarticledirectory.com
Please, if you do one thing for your pet today, find out how to protect him! You can increase his lifespan by 134% just go to www.dog-food-secrets.org to discover the secret to prolonging your dog’s life…
Dog food labels are intentionally made confusing so that pet owners don’t realise that they’re feeding their dog some awful, terrible, disgusting ingredients. Dog food companies heartlessly exploit loopholes which allows them to add a very cheap form of protein that has almost zero nutritional value to a dog instead of essential animal protein your dog needs to survive. Did you know that dog foods that claim to be come from bone, blood and animal fat are often derived from animals suffering from various ailments, and probably not the best choice for your dog. These multi-billion dollar companies are actually allowed to mix in euthanized bodies of various animals into the food you might be buying for your dog. Would you eat meat that came from a euthanized animal? Didn’t think so! So why should your dog be subjected to this? Dogs can have food allergies from commercial dog food which long term for your dog can make them very uncomfortable, sick and weak. These euthanized various animals found in dog food and the animal by-products commonly found can include feathers, hair, leather, gristle and faecal waste. Pretty disgusting isn’t it?
Dogs, being scavengers, also thrive on eggs, berries, fruit and the food that they might find in the preys stomach, such as grains and vegetable matter. But, in saying this, dog’s bodies are unable to process whole vegetables. So with pet food companies ads showing plump chickens and whole vegetables it makes you wonder if they really know that much about a dogs nutritional needs and digestive system. Manufacturers are masters at getting a dog to eat something she/he would normally turn up its nose too. Do you know how they do this? Fat is sprayed directly on the morsels of food, and that is what you and your dog smell and think would taste wonderful – It’s just an illusion. And those wonderfully shaped and coloured treats and morsels are not for your dogs benefit, they are for yours. Don’t be fooled by pretty shapes and rainbow colours and smiling dogs on the packets – Its emotional marketing at its best. All your dog cares about is the way the food smells, tastes and all you should care about is that it is getting its nutritional needs.
Dogs, just like everyone else, have specific nutritional needs and they need proper vitamins and minerals every day. Low quality ingredients, excessive chemical additives, and poor labelling standards all result in problems for your companion pet, from skin allergies to cancer. Commercial pet foods and some pet food ingredients have been implicated in a number of diseases in companion animals. One potential problem with commercial pet food is pesticide residues, antibiotics, and mould contained in pet food ingredients and manufacturers will not disclose very much information about the sources of ingredients, how they are processed, their quality control standards, or, in some cases, even where the food is made. Doesn’t that make you have some doubt as to how trustworthy a company is if it cannot even tell you those things? It makes me very doubtful!
Think about this … have you ever seen your dog enjoy commercial dog food the way he/she enjoys a good meaty bone? I never have and I have had a lot of dogs in my lifetime and through my business care for all different breeds of dogs, sizes and ages. Do you know why? It is because bones are fresh meat, exactly as you purchase them is exactly what you give your dog. However, with commercial dog food some companies may list real meat as their number one ingredient, but they may actually have more fillers, which reduces the ratio of quality ingredients to useless ones. Ingredients, such as peanut hulls, are used for filler or fibre, and have no significant nutritional value. Because the ingredients they are using are not wholesome, their quality may be extremely variable, and the harsh manufacturing practices destroy many of the nutrients the food had to begin with. Cereal grains are the primary ingredients in most commercial pet foods. These are often the result of an allergy or intolerance to pet food ingredients. And to top that off, sometimes a manufacturer may not have added any preservatives, but the meat or other ingredients may have had preservatives added to them by suppliers. So, by the time the food gets to your dogs plate the good quality that may have been slightly present in the beginning has disappeared. And not every batch of dog food is the same because meat by-products and meat and bone meals vary from batch to batch creating an unstable source of nutrition for pets.
The multinational pet food companies have increased bulk-purchasing power; those that make human food products have a captive market in which to capitalize on their waste products, and pet food divisions have a more reliable capital base and, in many cases, a convenient source of ingredients. The ingredients listed on the label are very much less as to what is actually present in the food – they are tiny; and the items themselves are usually scraps and rejects from processors of human foods-certainly not the whole, fresh ingredients they want you to picture. The labelling of dog food is a confusing discussion to say the least and very much a tell half-truth scenario. Many label rules exist such as; the “Flavour” Rule that states that a food may be labelled as “Beef Flavoured Dog Food” even if it does not contain any beef, as long as the flavour is “sufficiently detectable. When a label reads “With Real Turkey,” a consumer may assume that he is purchasing quality turkey dog food for his pet. If the label reads “Beef and Liver for Dogs,” the food must contain a combined amount of beef and liver to total 95%, and again there must be more beef since it is listed first. However, as I outlined above the amounts in there are based on tiny morsels and weight – weight is inclusive of water content too.
Now, of course, not all pet food companies operate this way. Today there are a few all natural companies and dog diets on the market which pride themselves on human grade ingredients in their dog food, but remember the definition of “natural” is very broad, and allows for artificially processed ingredients that most of us would consider very unnatural indeed. You have to be very careful in your selection and educate yourself on the harmful ingredients and preservatives on the labels of these dog-canned foods. I always go by the rule that if there are no nutrients in the soil = no nutrients in the plants = no nutrients in the dog food and I cant imagine they would be getting their plant sources from the same crops as humans do.
Quality dog food is crucial for your dogs well being as it is their one source of nutrition. Nutrition is defined as the organic process of nourishing or being nourished, the processes by which an organism assimilates food and uses it for growth and nutriment: a source of materials to nourish the body. The food your animal eats should provide all of the nutritional components that are necessary for all organs and systems of a healthy body to perform in harmonious unison. So, please when your searching through all the dog food at the supermarket, forget the ads and ignore the glossy pictures and fancy titles on the cans and packages and always look for natural organic dog food with” natural” preservatives. Given the high possibility that your favourite pet foods may be slowly poisoning your dog, it’s crucial that you find brands you can trust to be animal friendly and have natural ingredients and low additives and colouring. Many listed ingredients don’t provide a significant health benefit and are really a marketing gimmick. Remember you are looking for ingredients that you recognize and you would eat. In fact, just as is true for humans, fresh foods can provide much better nutrition for pets than highly processed “fast foods. ”
The reality is that there are only two nutritional standards against which all pet foods are measured (adult and growth/gestation/lactation)-everything else is marketing. Don’t fall into the marketing trap and a side note, generally, the purchase price of pet food does not always determine whether a pet food is good or bad, the price is often a good indicator of quality. Dogs may not need the most expensive foods out there to survive… but they do need the correct nutritional value in their diet everyday.
Dog food labels are intentionally made confusing so that pet owners don’t realise that they’re feeding their dog some awful, terrible, disgusting ingredients. Dog food companies heartlessly exploit loopholes which allows them to add a very cheap form of protein that has almost zero nutritional value to a dog instead of essential animal protein your dog needs to survive. Did you know that dog foods that claim to be come from bone, blood and animal fat are often derived from animals suffering from various ailments, and probably not the best choice for your dog. These multi-billion dollar companies are actually allowed to mix in euthanized bodies of various animals into the food you might be buying for your dog. Would you eat meat that came from a euthanized animal? Didn’t think so! So why should your dog be subjected to this? Dogs can have food allergies from commercial dog food which long term for your dog can make them very uncomfortable, sick and weak. These euthanized various animals found in dog food and the animal by-products commonly found can include feathers, hair, leather, gristle and faecal waste. Pretty disgusting isn’t it?
Dogs, being scavengers, also thrive on eggs, berries, fruit and the food that they might find in the preys stomach, such as grains and vegetable matter. But, in saying this, dog’s bodies are unable to process whole vegetables. So with pet food companies ads showing plump chickens and whole vegetables it makes you wonder if they really know that much about a dogs nutritional needs and digestive system. Manufacturers are masters at getting a dog to eat something she/he would normally turn up its nose too. Do you know how they do this? Fat is sprayed directly on the morsels of food, and that is what you and your dog smell and think would taste wonderful – It’s just an illusion. And those wonderfully shaped and coloured treats and morsels are not for your dogs benefit, they are for yours. Don’t be fooled by pretty shapes and rainbow colours and smiling dogs on the packets – Its emotional marketing at its best. All your dog cares about is the way the food smells, tastes and all you should care about is that it is getting its nutritional needs.
Dogs, just like everyone else, have specific nutritional needs and they need proper vitamins and minerals every day. Low quality ingredients, excessive chemical additives, and poor labelling standards all result in problems for your companion pet, from skin allergies to cancer. Commercial pet foods and some pet food ingredients have been implicated in a number of diseases in companion animals. One potential problem with commercial pet food is pesticide residues, antibiotics, and mould contained in pet food ingredients and manufacturers will not disclose very much information about the sources of ingredients, how they are processed, their quality control standards, or, in some cases, even where the food is made. Doesn’t that make you have some doubt as to how trustworthy a company is if it cannot even tell you those things? It makes me very doubtful!
Think about this … have you ever seen your dog enjoy commercial dog food the way he/she enjoys a good meaty bone? I never have and I have had a lot of dogs in my lifetime and through my business care for all different breeds of dogs, sizes and ages. Do you know why? It is because bones are fresh meat, exactly as you purchase them is exactly what you give your dog. However, with commercial dog food some companies may list real meat as their number one ingredient, but they may actually have more fillers, which reduces the ratio of quality ingredients to useless ones. Ingredients, such as peanut hulls, are used for filler or fibre, and have no significant nutritional value. Because the ingredients they are using are not wholesome, their quality may be extremely variable, and the harsh manufacturing practices destroy many of the nutrients the food had to begin with. Cereal grains are the primary ingredients in most commercial pet foods. These are often the result of an allergy or intolerance to pet food ingredients. And to top that off, sometimes a manufacturer may not have added any preservatives, but the meat or other ingredients may have had preservatives added to them by suppliers. So, by the time the food gets to your dogs plate the good quality that may have been slightly present in the beginning has disappeared. And not every batch of dog food is the same because meat by-products and meat and bone meals vary from batch to batch creating an unstable source of nutrition for pets.
The multinational pet food companies have increased bulk-purchasing power; those that make human food products have a captive market in which to capitalize on their waste products, and pet food divisions have a more reliable capital base and, in many cases, a convenient source of ingredients. The ingredients listed on the label are very much less as to what is actually present in the food – they are tiny; and the items themselves are usually scraps and rejects from processors of human foods-certainly not the whole, fresh ingredients they want you to picture. The labelling of dog food is a confusing discussion to say the least and very much a tell half-truth scenario. Many label rules exist such as; the “Flavour” Rule that states that a food may be labelled as “Beef Flavoured Dog Food” even if it does not contain any beef, as long as the flavour is “sufficiently detectable. When a label reads “With Real Turkey,” a consumer may assume that he is purchasing quality turkey dog food for his pet. If the label reads “Beef and Liver for Dogs,” the food must contain a combined amount of beef and liver to total 95%, and again there must be more beef since it is listed first. However, as I outlined above the amounts in there are based on tiny morsels and weight – weight is inclusive of water content too.
Now, of course, not all pet food companies operate this way. Today there are a few all natural companies and dog diets on the market which pride themselves on human grade ingredients in their dog food, but remember the definition of “natural” is very broad, and allows for artificially processed ingredients that most of us would consider very unnatural indeed. You have to be very careful in your selection and educate yourself on the harmful ingredients and preservatives on the labels of these dog-canned foods. I always go by the rule that if there are no nutrients in the soil = no nutrients in the plants = no nutrients in the dog food and I cant imagine they would be getting their plant sources from the same crops as humans do.
Quality dog food is crucial for your dogs well being as it is their one source of nutrition. Nutrition is defined as the organic process of nourishing or being nourished, the processes by which an organism assimilates food and uses it for growth and nutriment: a source of materials to nourish the body. The food your animal eats should provide all of the nutritional components that are necessary for all organs and systems of a healthy body to perform in harmonious unison. So, please when your searching through all the dog food at the supermarket, forget the ads and ignore the glossy pictures and fancy titles on the cans and packages and always look for natural organic dog food with” natural” preservatives. Given the high possibility that your favourite pet foods may be slowly poisoning your dog, it’s crucial that you find brands you can trust to be animal friendly and have natural ingredients and low additives and colouring. Many listed ingredients don’t provide a significant health benefit and are really a marketing gimmick. Remember you are looking for ingredients that you recognize and you would eat. In fact, just as is true for humans, fresh foods can provide much better nutrition for pets than highly processed “fast foods. ”
The reality is that there are only two nutritional standards against which all pet foods are measured (adult and growth/gestation/lactation)-everything else is marketing. Don’t fall into the marketing trap and a side note, generally, the purchase price of pet food does not always determine whether a pet food is good or bad, the price is often a good indicator of quality. Dogs may not need the most expensive foods out there to survive… but they do need the correct nutritional value in their diet everyday.
Article Source: http://www.articlewarehouse.com
By Wilhelmina Ford To Read More About The Secrets, Myths and Truths of Commercial Dog Food, Check Out, Commercial Dog Food: Myths, Secrets & Truths.
We all want the best for our beloved dogs, especially when it comes to the foods they eat. We want to give them only the healthiest food available to make sure that they will live a long and healthy life. But what if the so-called “healthy pet foods” that are being sold in the market today are not reliable anymore?
What do we do when we can no longer trust the food manufacturers who is supposed to provide us with safe and healthy foods for our animals?
When The Food Is Killing Your Pets, Something Has To Change: The widespread recall of pet food has created a scare to all dog and cat owners who rely on commercial brands to feed their pets. All over the country, contaminated pet food has caused many dogs to become severely sick, while a large number of them have died.
In March alone of this year, Menu foods, an Ontario based manufacturing company, recalled more than 90 brands of “cuts and gravy” moist foods (both dog food and cat food) after more than 14 animals died from eating them. A few weeks later, the same company added 20 more varieties of their brand to be taken off store shelves.
It was later discovered that wheat gluten, an ingredient found in the said pet foods, was contaminated with rat poison. The risk of Salmonella contamination has also been the cause of a recall for two brands of pig ear dog treats.
Cases of toxic pet foods go back to December of 2005, when several dogs died and dozens fell ill after eating kibble manufactured by Diamond Pet Foods. It was later found out that the food was contaminated with aflatoxin; a naturally occurring chemical produced from fungus and can be found on crops such as wheat, corn, rice, and beans. This chemical is also toxic to domestic animals, livestock, and even humans. Other pet food recalls during this past decade also involve the risk for Salmonella contamination.
Are These Pet Food Companies Breaking The Law? FDA regulations state that pet foods should be manufactured similar to the way human foods are manufactured. They should be processed under a sanitary environment, do not contain any harmful ingredients, accurately labeled, and safe to eat.
All pet food manufacturers are expected to comply with these regulations to ensure that the food is safe and healthy. However, due to limited resources, the FDA can only inspect pet food issues after consumer complaints are made or if the FDA has a reason to believe that there is a threat to animal health. A recall is then announced by the FDA or the manufacturer if a defective product is found.
Article Source: http://www.hobbyarticledirectory.com
Jane Saeman loves dogs and strives to keep other dog lovers informed. A whole world awaits other dog lovers. Find out how cute the dog in your life is at my website which is at www.PicturesOfMyDogs.com