Good Dog Food

On an everyday basis we come across studies about how processed food is unhealthy for us and many of us, while still gorging on junk food, make a conscious effort to reduce the intake. But what about when it comes to our pets? While we may go on and on about how our pet dog is like a child to us, we hardly think before filling up their feeding bowls with commercial dog foods which are full of preservatives. Commercial dog food manufacturers though have to pass tests that ensure they have all the nutrients that pet dogs need. So if you want to know how to decide on what qualifies as good dog food before you go shopping for dog food the next time, read this article on what are the good dog food ingredients that you should check for. After all you want the best for your pooch.Choosing Good Dog FoodWhile many dog owners tend to feed their pets vegetarian dog food, one thing that they forget is that while a dog may become used to the food you are giving him, he will never get complete nutrition from it. Dogs are carnivores and need the nutrients that they get from meat in order to be completely healthy. While detractors may point out how the same nutrients can be obtained from vegetarian food, it is not completely enough. Good dog food which is healthy for your pet should be in the ratio of 40% meat, 50% vegetables and 10% carbohydrate. Most packaged foods do not indicate this ratio on the labels which make it difficult for pet owners to pick out good dog food. Check the ingredient list properly to ensure that the dog food you are purchasing has high meat meal protein content. This should be constituent of meat that has been pre-cooked so that when you cook the meal further it does not reduce. Look for chicken meal, lamb meal, or venison meal on the ingredient list and these should be one of the first five ingredients. Avoid any dog food that has meat by-products like beaks of chicken, feet or even bones. Any good dog food for sensitive stomach will avoid these ingredients; actually these would not be part of any dog food manufactured by reputed companies. There are many companies that claim to manufacture the best dog food for sensitive stomach but it is important to first consult a vet before buying any of these products.Most brands of healthy dog food will have 10% of whole grain products like ground rice, flour or barley which are unrefined and have a high fiber content. This will ensure that your pet's digestive system is not affected. Avoid any dog food that contains ground corn or corn meal as they are really bad for dog health. Good dog food for allergies or those that can be fed to dogs to avoid allergic reaction will avoid corn based ingredients like the plague. Many cheap and economical dog food include corn as it adds bulk to the dog food. While it is important to include grain as it is a source of energy for dogs, avoid its use as a filler. Some of the best grains for dogs are barley, oats, millet, quinoa, and brown rice. Avoid dog foods that have preservatives which are chemical based, like BHA, BHT, and Ethoxyquin. Good dog foods will generally have vitamins E and C as preservatives.Many people think that if they can eat something, then it is good enough for their pet dogs too. That may not be completely true. There are many food items like chocolate, grapes, onions, etc. that are harmful for your dog's health and should be avoided as they are foods bad for dogs. The nutrition needs of dogs and humans are very different and therefore, do not follow the same shopping list for your dog and yourself. Some of the best dog food can be purchased at the vet's clinic, feed stores and natural food outlets. Before deciding on good dog food, research your options. Most reputed manufacturers will always provide information about the ingredients in their product. Look out for these manufacturers and select the product with care. If you cannot find a brand of dog food that suits your needs, you can opt for homemade dog food. Feeding your dog, good dog food will ensure that he remains healthy and is not robbed of the nutrients he needs for proper functioning.