Best Dog Food - What Is It? - Natural Dog Food!
28 Jul 2006 at 2:46amby larry

http://spoiled-mutts.com Best Dog Food…

As I was saying in the last article, the very best dog food is the dog food you prepare yourself.

There are thousands of examples of what commercial dog food can do to your dog on the internet, and countless more on the various dog food forums.

The basic danger with commercial dog food is the build up of toxins over your dog’s life.

Sure, the vets say they are safe.

Take this example; ever heard of Iams? Pushed by more vets than any other dog food on the market for the past 15 years.

Take a minute to read this;
http://nexusmagazine.com/articles/petfood2.html

Now, do you really trust what your vet has to say about feeding your dog the best dog food? Iams is not the only major dog food manufacturer guilty of this, and many are still preparing dog foods "in secret".

The best dog food is natural dog food, the kind you make yourself.

Go ahead, get the 20 FREE recipes at my site and prepare a few. Right away you will find out how easy it is and how much your dog loves his new dog food.

These aren't exotic, gourmet foods that'll have your baby's tummy trying to keep up. They try to mimic the types of food your dog would eat if still in the wild while adding the modern benefits of plaque prevention and dental care.

When your dog is done with dinner, give him a thank you for being such a great buddy by tossing him one of the all-natural dog food treats you'll find toward the end of the free recipes I'll send you! These snacks are drool-worthy to the max? for your dog, of course.

You'll soon see that one of the best features of these recipes is that many of them can be made and enhanced by ingredients you already have in your cupboards.

Even better, several of them can be made entirely from the leftovers you have from your family's dinners over the last week. That saves you money, it cuts down on food waste, and your dog certainly won't complain about getting bits of that succulent roast chicken in her kibble.

So don't crack open that can just yet. Take a quick look through our all-natural, easy to use BEST dog food guide to home made dog food and experiment with your own cooking savvy. We guarantee it'll be the easiest cooking audience you've ever had!

Remember, the Best Dog Food is the dog food you prepare yourself!

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By; Lare Parsons
Author/writer with more than 30 years
raising & caring for multiple dog breeds.
http://spoiled-mutts.com

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Is your pet overweight?

Obesity as commonly perceived is not just a problem with human beings. It is prevalent in animals, both wild and pet.. In cases of animals it is mostly found in pets.

According to a recent research it has been found that about 25% of the pets are obese or overweight. The study and percentages indicate that the problem has reached proportions where it cannot be ignored.

We have three dogs who are very quick to gain too much weight. We feel bad limiting their food because they give us that sad, starving look. But we have to be tough and only give them the dose we have found works for them. We have learned what is the right amount and what is too much.

A dog’s weight cannot be evaluated by just measuring the weight. It is more appropriate to observe the physical condition of the dog by comparing it with one of its own breed or species. The overall appearance of the pet is of prime importance since the ideal weight is very varied in case of pets or for that matter in all animals, in judging the obesity factor.

How can you tell if your dog is overweight, underweight or just right?

Some observations that can help in your own assessment of your dog are suggested. The ribs should not be visible to the eye but should be easily felt without pressing. The stomach or the abdominal area should be tucked in. These simple tests or feels can be reviewed at home if the owner can objectively record the same.

A veterinarian would be required for advice if you find that your dog does not possess the much sought after hour-glass physique. The owner should have a good reference point to infer the results from his observations, i.e. he should have good knowledge and information about the general physical appearance of the species of his dog. You don't want to starve your poor dog.

Obesity decreases the life span of your dog, and an overweight dog is generally not healthy. Obesity may lead to diabetes, arthritis, heart complications, endocrinal diseases and bad joints. The medication for these conditions is also seriously compromised due to underlying obesity factors and age.

Exercise is very important

You pet is overweight because of the simple reason that it has more to eat and not enough exercise. The over feeding trend arises from the owners special way of showing love and care to their pets It is very important to keep tabs on the feeding habits of your pet.

Many pet food packs carry a dosage level instruction, but it cannot be really depended upon. It is the owner who has to decide how much feed the pet since a lot of other factors like life style, exercise, activities, age etc. Most animals tend to overeat given the opportunity and curbing it is the owner’s responsibility. Taking advice from a veterinarian in regard to determining the pets ideal weight, creating a weight loss and maintenance plan, would be a good start.

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For Small Dogs & Puppies

It has long been established and proven that small dogs have a different metabolism as compared to large dogs, due to physiologic effect of their body mass.

For example, a Great Dane weighing 100 pounds needs to consume about 23 calories per pound of body weight. A Pomeranian weighing 6 pounds needs to consume 47 calories per pound of body weight every day-more than twice as much!

As the owner of a small dog, you need to be certain that your dog’s energy needs are being satisfied. Be sure to choose a diet that's been formulated properly with optimal balance of highly digestible nutrients. Digestibility determines how much of each nutrient your dog can actually utilize in his diet.

Puppies require almost twice or three times as much food as adult dogs per pound of weight. To keep up their energy levels, they have to be fed as frequently as three to four times a day till they are six months of age.

Diet is always the key to raising your puppies. Their diet should balanced, nutrient rich, should contain high levels of phosphorous and calcium and be highly digestible. It should also contain high-quality proteins and should adhere to Association of American Feed Control Officials' (AFFCO) procedures. This would ensure that the puppy develops strong bones, muscle and tissue.

For Adult Dogs

Your dog like you needs a combination of fats, carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins, minerals, and water in a balanced diet to meet their daily needs. A lot of dog food bags claim they are in themselves complete food. This ends up as null if the nutrients cannot be absorbed by your dog’s system. Major companies take great care in this aspect by trying to provide the nutrients in an absorbable form.

Dog foods must also consist of mineral and vitamin supplements in a balanced form. The proportions should be accurate so that they do not interfere with each other in your dogs system. This would provide maximum benefit to you dog. If the food consists of one ingredient in overdose and the other in lower doses, it could have an adverse affect on your dogs health.

Some feeding tips to make chow time more pleasant

1. Always keep the food dish clean.

2. Feed adult dogs twice a day to prevent hogging at one single meal and lessens the chance of your deep chested dog developing bloat or stomach torsion.

3. Feeding Schedule should be relaxed so that your dog knows the meal time but will not bother you if you are a little late.

4. Keep your siblings away from your dog while feeding, so that he does not get insecure and feel a need to defend his food.

5. Never let your dog have free access to food. They shouldn't have constant activity in their digestive systems.

6. Make sure your dog sits and has his food, in which case there is less chance of food spilling all over the floor.

7. Never play with your dog with his dish, it's better to teach him manners instead.

8. Leave the dish for 15 minutes so that he licks it clean.

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