| If you had 5 cups of coffee and a couple of donuts | | | | important, because they are a great source of |
| for your daily meal, would you feel a bit off-balance? If | | | | antioxidants, which are essential to your dog's good |
| you ate this every day for years, how would it affect | | | | health. Whole fruits are healthy but experts state that |
| your health, body, energy level and behavior? Most | | | | they are not necessary in your dog's diet. Additionally, if |
| dog owners don't realize that many dog food brands | | | | they are listed after the fifth ingredient, the portion is |
| are nutritionally equivalent to the coffee and donut | | | | too small to impact the pet's health. |
| scenario. | | | | Preservatives- Two particular preservatives to avoid |
| Dog food manufacturers spend millions of dollars a | | | | are "BHA" (Butylated Hydroxyanisole) and "BHT" |
| year in advertising campaigns to make their brand | | | | (Butylated Hydroxytoluene). Research shows that |
| known to you. When you hear "Pedigree" or "Science | | | | these chemicals have caused cancer in laboratory |
| Diet" or "Purina," don't you automatically trust the name | | | | animals. Natural preservatives such as vitamin C |
| because you know the name so well? It's normal | | | | (ascorbic acid) and vitamin E (tocopherols) are much |
| human behavior to automatically trust someone or | | | | safer and healthier. |
| something we know. It's what you don't know that can | | | | Dog Food Manufacturers- who can you trust? |
| be harmful for your dog. | | | | We are inundated with marketing messages, purposely |
| Why is good nutrition for dogs important? | | | | misleading words on product packaging, and ingredient |
| Proper nutrition results in a healthier coat, stronger | | | | terminology that we don't understand. Industry does |
| bones and muscles, and healthy vital organs. Healthy | | | | not do these things accidentally! Being an educated |
| ingredients in a dog food result in fewer digestive and | | | | consumer is critical to ensuring your pet's health and |
| allergy complications, less intestinal gas and firmer and | | | | the integrity of their food. You should only trust |
| fewer stools. Mood and behavior are also affected by | | | | yourself so do your research. |
| food intake- the better the food, the better the | | | | 1. Read your pet food label/ingredient list to familiarize |
| behavior. | | | | yourself with the contents. Using what you've learned, |
| Food Ingredients and their order on dog food labels | | | | how do the ingredients look to you? |
| On food labels, ingredients are listed in order of highest | | | | 2. If you are unfamiliar with an ingredient, look it up so |
| content. The first ingredient listed is used the most; the | | | | that you can make informed choices. Two reference |
| second ingredient is the second highest component in | | | | sites are included at the end of this article. |
| the recipe and so on. | | | | 3. Refer to manufacturer's websites, brochures and |
| The first five ingredients on the label are the most | | | | claims on their dog food bags. Don't be afraid to |
| important as they comprise the bulk of the recipe. The | | | | contact them and ask questions. Just remember, it is |
| first ten ingredients should be well scrutinized as they | | | | your responsibility to validate the information they give |
| typically make up 90% of the recipe. | | | | you. |
| The first ingredient in your dog's food should always | | | | Do your own feeding trial |
| be a specifically named protein, such as chicken or | | | | The highest quality food will not be beneficial if your |
| salmon. Meat by-products (also known as meat or | | | | dog won't eat it. Don't be afraid to select more than |
| bone meal, by-product meal, animal by-product, chicken | | | | one brand and see how they work out for your dog. |
| by-product, etc) are not the same as meat. They are | | | | Virtually all manufacturers allow you to return unused |
| the leftovers of slaughter once the meat has been | | | | portions to your place of purchase if your dog does |
| removed and can include some pretty nasty things. | | | | not like it. |
| Wholesome Whole Grains should be in the top five | | | | How much to feed your dog |
| ingredients. Grains supply the carbohydrates your dog | | | | Always use the manufacturer's guidelines to calculate |
| needs for energy. Try to avoid processed or altered | | | | how much to feed your dog. The nutritional value of |
| grains such as brewers rice, wheat glutens, wheat | | | | each recipe directly affects the quantity your dog |
| flour, shorts or middlings. These are inexpensive fillers, | | | | needs in order to meet the recommended daily |
| which are hard to digest and offer little nutritional value. | | | | allowance. The better the food, the less of it you will |
| Try to avoid foods that list corn, in any formulation, | | | | have to feed. |
| within the top five ingredients. Corn is an economical | | | | Paws in Training currently provides professional dog |
| carbohydrate for manufacturers to use but it is virtually | | | | training and dog education in Raleigh, Cary and |
| indigestible and offers little nutritional value. | | | | Durham, N.C. |
| Healthy Veggies and Fruits- Whole vegetables are | | | | © Paws in Training, Inc. |
| nutrient-rich and easy to digest. Vegetables are | | | | |