What you don't know could be bad for your dog, causing illness and even death. Most of us don't pay a lot of attention to what we feed our pets, trusting manufacturer labeling to be accurate and regulations to be followed. The truth is that there really aren't very many rules about what can and can't go into dog food.

Unfit For Consumption

Did you know that the average dog food could contain meat from diseased animals, bones, nervous tissues, skin, organs, hair, ligaments, and even spoiled meat and the bodies of other pets?

Even the good meat that ends up in cat and dog food has undergone heavy processing, losing most of the value it once had. Ingredients like "poultry broth" and "animal meal" are far removed from the meat we imagine.

Animal meal, for instance, is what's left after fat and meat have been processed out of a carcass. What's left is dried and ground, resulting in a meal similar in texture to cornmeal. Broths are made up of processed carcasses from many different animal types, in just about any condition.

Not Illegal

Unfortunately, none of this is against the law. We're used to fairly good rules about what can and can't go into human food, and we're used to those laws being reasonably well enforced. The regulations about what can be put into pet food are much looser, and may not be enforced at all.

That means that almost anything could end up in your dog's food, and that the labels on the package that claim it's "healthy and balanced" have little to no meaning. All that those words mean, in a legal sense, is that those foods contain a particular percentage of fat, protein, and added minerals and vitamins.

Preservatives and Additives

We've all heard of recent pet food recalls caused by wheat gluten poisoned with melamine from China. However, that's not the only additive that's in pet food, and plenty of them are extremely dangerous as well. Preservatives that aren't allowed in human food and cause serious illness in workers exposed to them are extremely common in dog food. Over time, they can cause cancer, illness, liver and kidney failure and many other problems. The food you give to your pet could be causing him or her to become sick.

Not Only Cheap Brands

This is happening in cheap dog foods, but there's no way to tell if the expensive ones are affected, too. these pet foods are often higher in quality, but sometimes they're not. That means that even if your vet recommends it, you have to do your research.

Solutions

You have a number of choices when it comes to improving your pet's food. First is to learn how to read the labels. Ingredients that come first are there in bigger percentages, so look for named meats far up on the list instead of generic terms.

You can also learn about the additives and preservatives that can hurt your pets, and look for the foods with the lowest percentage of grains. There are also a number of excellent recipes out there that can help dedicated pet owners make their own foods. Just be sure to do something, since most foods are actually dangerous.

Click Here to discover what dog foods have been proven to be harmful to a dog's health. Find out what the best dog food is to make sure your pooch is in perfect health.

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Written by Lynn Halladay using tags: animals, dog food, Dogs, healthy dog food, Home, natural dog food, Pets

The safety of commercial dog foods has been called into question on various occasions over the years and generally when walking down the pet food aisle of the local food market you would possibly find yourself wondering if the food you purchase for your loved furry family member can be the one that's toxic this time. It's a roulette spin and also the stakes may simply be too high. Several pet owners are deciding to organize meals for his or her pets instead. But, how do you make sure that the meals you make for your dog are nutritious and balanced?

A homemade meal, simply as for your circle of relatives, can greatly benefit your dog's health and well-being. Aside from being doubtless dangerous, business dog foods will contain fillers, chemical, preservatives and dyes that can be detrimental. An extra benefit to cooking and making ready a meal for your dog is the bonding which will return from the love and care it takes to do so. There are several issues to make when deciding what to prepare for your dog. You need to contemplate any health issues such as diabetes, heart conditions, allergies and any different ailments that your dog probably suffers.

When preparing the proper formulation of dog food you want to contemplate what goes into it. You want a meal that will not only be nutritionally balanced but can also charm to your dog's senses of taste and smell. Once all, what sensible is a nice, nutritious, useful meal when your dog refuses to eat it? A concern might be that the nutrition of the meal is not complete, however a additional serious concern is what foods not to convey your dog. Some things that humans eat every day can really be highly toxic for your pet.

You need to begin a balanced meal for your dog with a good, healthy source of protein and a sensible supply of complex carbohydrates. Some smart protein sources include things like roasted boneless, skinless chicken breast, pan browned ground beef, broiled pork loin or lamb chops, baked Atlantic salmon, cottage cheese tofu, or eggs. If you would like some good carbohydrate for him you ought to seek for long-grained cooked rice, baked potatoes, cooked and enriched spaghetti, cooked couscous, cooked oats and barley, or dry tapioca.

Once selecting appropriate sources of protein and carbohydrates you can develop some recipes to produce balanced and complete nutrition. A nutritionist ought to be consulted to aid in deciding the best recipes and food combos to form a well-balanced homemade food diet for your dog that he can continue for years to come.

There are diet plans on the market for purchase, but they are not counseled for terribly young or senior dogs that require a additional specialised diet plan. There are a few firms, such as Pet Diets and Balance It that provide this information for a fee. In addition to the dog food that you prepare you'll additionally realize healthy and well-balanced treats for your dog, as well. These can be purchased, or you'll notice several recipes by performing straightforward searches online.

You must think about all of your options and every one of the items that may affect your decision to arrange homemade meals for your dog before doing it. Some dogs, just as some individuals, have medical conditions and sicknesses that can make meal designing tough and confusing. Bear in mind that, simply such as you, your dog deserves to own the most effective nutrition available.

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Written by Micchele Pritte using tags: dog food, Dogs, healthy dog food, homemade dog food, organic dog food, Pet Care, Pets

High Quality, Nutritious, Healthy Dog Food is the Key to Your Dog's Long Term Good Health

Did you know that dog food you buy in a grocery store or pet supermarket is probably very low in nutritional value? Even if the food was somewhat nutritious when it was placed in the bag, that nutrition has deteriorated because the food is several months old by the time you purchase it at the store. So when you buy dog food in a store, you may be slowly killing your dog.

Think about our own health and nutrition. Eating fast food or other unhealthy food is not good for our own health. That type of food will lead to disease and a breakdown in our bodies over time.

It's no different for our dogs. An unhealthy diet will result in degenerative diseases and other health issues for them as well.

Veterinarians are treating dogs for heart disease, kidney failure, cancer, and other degenerative diseases. These ailments were much less prevalent before the introduction of commercial dog food.

You are probably like me. I want my dog to live a long, happy, and healthy life. He gives me unconditional love. He is completely dependent on me. I owe him the very best nutrition.

The picture of me and my dog, Romeo, is on a lot of the articles I write. He is 6 years old and just a mutt. He has been fed high quality, nutritious, healthy dog food ever since he was a little over one year old. I know I am biased, but he is the sweetest, healthiest, and happiest dog we have ever owned.

You possibly don't believe me when I say that, "you may be slowly killing your dog." I encourage you to read the article, "What's Really in Pet Food" which has been prepared by the Animal Protection Institute. You will find some "eye opening" information in this article.

According to this article, much of the food we give our dogs is "unfit for human consumption."

This includes both meat and grains. Is that what we want to feed our dogs - food that is unfit for human consumption?

Here's something to keep in mind. You can't rely on the ingredient label or the wording on the package to make your dog food selection. Just because the package describes the food as "high quality" or "premium," doesn't mean that it is a quality, nutritious, healthy dog food.

When you look at an ingredient label, it may appear that the bag contains a quality, nutritious, healthy dog food. But if the food is bought in a store, it could be 6-18 months old.

If you are told by a pet product store owner or employee that the food is fresh, they are probably being dishonest or don't know what they are talking about.

The dog food may be sold fairly soon after it arrives in the retail store. But the store owner has no control over how long the food has been in one or more warehouses. The nutritional value of the food is reduced as it ages because of heat, mold, bacteria, and many other reasons.

When selecting a quality, nutritious, healthy dog food to buy, you should consider the cooking method used. In general, the food should be cooked at low temperatures and for a short time. If not, the nutritional value of the food is destroyed.

Here are 4 recommendations in selecting a high quality, nutritious, healthy dog food:

1. The food should contain a high percentage of meat. Completely disregard any product that includes by-products.

Don't be concerned if you see chicken "meal" or fish "meal" as one of the ingredients. Chicken meal and fish meal are great ingredients as long as they comes from high quality chicken or fish.

For example, water is removed from the chicken to form chicken meal. So if you see "chicken meal" as the first item on the ingredient label, you know that there is a lot of chicken in the product. If "chicken" is listed as one of the top ingredients, it may be much lower on the list of ingredients when the water is removed. The manufacturer may be trying to mislead the consumer to think that chicken is one of the top ingredients.

2. Make sure that the food is very fresh. I have found that the best and freshest dog food comes from an online source that delivers a very fresh, nutritious, healthy dog food to your doorstep.

High quality chicken, chicken meal, fish, fish meal, lamb, and venison are excellent meat ingredients.

4. This is critical. Avoid any dog food that contains corn, wheat, artificial preservatives and colorings, steroids, and hormones.

Feeding your dog a high quality, nutritious, healthy dog food is critical to ensuring that your pet lives a long, healthy, and happy life. You are probably like me. I feel I owe that to my little dog.

Scott Hubbard is a avid pet lover. For the last 40 years, dogs have been a major part of his family. He has devoted more than 5 years to selecting the best products for pet health. You can click here to learn more about the high quality, nutritious, healthy dog food that he recommends. You can reach him directly by calling toll-free 877-878-4036 or by emailing him at Scott@ScottHubbard-Consulting.com.

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Written by Scott Hubbard using tags: dog food, healthy dog food, nutritious dog food, Pets, products for pet health, quality dog food

Your dog's nutritional needs are different from ours. What we think is healthy, is not necessarily good for them. To keep you dog healthy, you will need to understand their particular needs and how to address them.

In order for your dog to grow, they need essential nutrients. Without these nutrients, your dog may experience poor health, stunted growth, shortened lifespan, and allergy symptoms.

Dogs, like any other animal, need five basic nutrients to survive: protein, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals. These nutrients provide different functions and are necessary to sustain the health and well-being of your pet.

Proteins consist of amino acids and are the building blocks of your dog's health. Although some of these amino acids can be synthesized by the dog, not all are. That is where your dog's food come into play - they must contain the essential amino acids that the dog cannot produce.

When choosing dog foods, ensure there is an adequate amount of protein to keep your dogs healthy. And the majority of the protein source needs to be from an animal source, not grain. But too much protein, however, can cause obesity as excess protein is converted to fat.

Fats are a very necessary nutrient for a healthy dog. Fats are what deliver fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, and K) to cells. They are also necessary for proper kidney function and for a healthy coat. But just like with humans, it is the types of fats and amounts, that can cause or prevent health problems and obesity.

Carbohydrates are nutrients which are converted into energy for your dog. The best source of carbs for your dog are whole grains as they have the most nutrients still in them. Inferior dog foods will use grain by-products (left-over parts from other food processing) which tends to boost carb and protein ratios, but really has very little nutritional value for your dog. These grain by-products are also common allergy triggers for dogs. Look for minimal grain by-products in your dog food, and if your dog has allergies, stay away from common allergy triggers such as corn, wheat, and soy.

Vitamins and Minerals are the last area of necessary nutrients for your dog. These should be supplied naturally through your dog food. However, some dog foods will need to add in a lot of vitamins and minerals because they get destroyed in the manufacturing process of the food. But these vitamins and minerals will start to diminish in both quality and quantity the longer the bag of food is opened - so you won't get as much by the bottom of the bag as you do when you first open it. To ensure optimal health for your dog, you should provide a specially formulated vitamin supplement.

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Written by K.C. Jones using tags: canine nutrition, dog, dog food, dog nutrition, healthiest dog food, healthy dog food, nutrition for dogs, Pets

Your dog's nutritional needs are different from ours. What we think is healthy, is not necessarily good for them. To keep you dog healthy, you will need to understand their particular needs and how to address them.

In order for your dog to grow, they need essential nutrients. Without these nutrients, your dog may experience poor health, stunted growth, shortened lifespan, and allergy symptoms.

All animals need five basic nutrients to survive: protein, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals. Without the proper balance of these five nutrients, they can provide the different functions necessary to sustain the health and well-being of your pet.

Proteins consist of amino acids and are the building blocks of your dog's health. Although some of these amino acids can be synthesized by the dog, not all are. That is where your dog's food come into play - they must contain the essential amino acids that the dog cannot produce.

You therefore need to have a satisfactory amount of protein in your dog food to help your dogs grow and stay healthy. But too much protein can be a cause of obesity, as excess can be stored as fat, and has even been linked to temperament problems in dogs.

Fats are used to deliver other nutrients to the body as well as a source of energy. So much bad press about fats in diets has most of us thinking to avoid them as much as possible. But this is not true. Fats are necessary in diets, for both humans and their canine companions. It's the kind and amount of fat that can lead to health problems and obesity. Your dog needs the correct fats for proper kidney function, to transport fat-soluble vitamins to cells, and for a healthy skin and coat.

Carbohydrates are a main source of energy for your dog. But not all carbohydrates are created equal, and some are more common allergy triggers in sensitive dogs. Corn, wheat, and soy are common carb sources in dog food. By themselves, they are acceptable sources. However, if your dog is only getting by-products of these grains, they are not getting all the nutrients they need.

Vitamins and Minerals are needed to keep your dog healthy and almost all dog foods have added in vitamins and minerals. However, what most people don't realize is that the quality and quantity of these diminish as soon as the bag of dog food is opened. Specially formulated vitamin supplements are available for your dog and will ensure they get all the elemental vitamins and minerals needed for optimal health.

The bottom line is that dogs need a balanced diet, with the correct ratio of proteins, carbs, fats, vitamins, and minerals. Since you are the source of food for your dog, it is up to you to provide a healthy dog food. To learn more about healthy dog foods and how to read dog food ingredients, visit the Healthy Dog Food blog - helping you keep your dog healthy through nutrition.

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Written by K.C. Jones using tags: canine nutrition, dog, dog food, dog nutrition, healthiest dog food, healthy dog food, nutrition for dogs, Pets

Premium dog foods are definitely better than your garden variety economy counterparts. But how do you tell the difference between the two? Is price the only indicator of how healthy the dog food is? Does a premium pet food have a different kind of label? How do you know what is premium?

The quality of the ingredients in the dog food is what differentiates a premium dog food from an economy one. Dog food companies will try to lure you in with great advertising about how great their food is for your dog. Many now show delicious pictures of food on the bags. Don't be fooled though. The only way to really tell a premium dog food is by looking at the dog food ingredients.

Before you purchase a premium dog food, check out the first two ingredients. Look at the actual ingredients listed on the ingredients label. They tell you a lot. Premium dog foods will have a meat listed first - dogs need animal proteins. Premium dog foods also use a better quality of grains.

Grains: Premium dog foods will use better grains (rice, oats) than economy foods (corn, soy, wheat). Why are these better? Because your dog can digest and metabolize the nutrients from these grains better. Grains are top ingredients in the economy dog foods, not in premium ones.

Some grains, such as soy, wheat, and corn, are also common sources for food allergies in dogs.When utilized as by-products, such as corn wheat gluten, they are nothing more than cheap fillers. Their main purpose is to fill up your dog's stomach so that he feels full. It's kind of like human junk food - fill your tummy with no nutrition.

Animal meat by-productsare another top 2 ingredient that just are not found in the best premium dog foods. Meat by-products are what is left from a slaughtered animal after all the human-grade meat has been removed - bones, feed, heat, lungs, brain, etc.

Meat by-products, like grain by-products, just do not have the quality and quantity of nutrients your dog needs. It is used as a cheap substitute for meat, with the dog food companies hoping pet owners don't really inquire about what a by-product is.

Premium dog foods almost always have a meat or meat meal as the first ingredient, unless it is a special need dog food. This is because dogs need animal protein - plain and simple. Meat by-products just don't cut it.

Will the price tell you if it is a premium dog food? Premium dog foods are not inexpensive - they just can't be, the quality ingredients used will cost more. Where the consumer needs to be careful is where some dog foods imply they are premium with their price and fancy advertising. If you want to know if you are looking at premium dog foods, you must read the ingredients.

And now there are even more types of dog food, like organic and all-natural. For more information about the different types of foods available for your dog and how to carefully choose the best premium dog foods for your beloved pet at the Healthy Dog Food blog.

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Written by K.C. Jones using tags: compare dog foods, dog, dog food, dog food ingredients, dog health, healthy dog food, pet health, Pets, premium dog foods

What are premium dog foods and are they really any better for my dog than your garden variety dog foods? How can you tell what a premium dog food is? Is it listed on the bag somewhere? Is it more expensive? What makes a premium dog food premium?

The main difference between premium and economy dog foods is the quality of the ingredients and the amount of actual nutrients digestible by your dog. Ignore any of the fancy wording or delicious looking pictures on the bag of food. Look, instead, at the dog food ingredients first.

Look at the first 2 ingredients to see if you are purchasing a premium dog food. Economy dog foods use a lot of low quality grains and meat by-products. Premium dog foods list an animal meat as the first ingredient.

Grains/Carbs: Dogs are better able to digest certain grains better than others. Rice, oats, lentils, and barley are all easily digestible for dogs. Corn, soy, and wheat are not. This means less nutrients for your dog. And since economy foods list grains as top ingredients, this means the dog food as a whole is less nutritional than premium dog foods.

Another problem with the type and quality of grains/carbs used by the economy dog foods is that they are common sources of food allergies for dogs. They are also usually the by-products of the grain, not the whole grain itself, and thus has virtually no nutritional value to your dog. The grains/carbs really turn out to be nothing more than a way to make your dog feel full.

A meat by-product is not a top 2 ingredient in premium dog foods. Meat by-product is just what is left over after all the usable meat has been removed. This includes the bones, head, intestines, and blood.

Again, like cheap grain by-products, meat by-products are just not an equal substitute for real animal meat for your dog. They are used to boost the protein percentages in the dog food and make pet owners feel like they are feeding their dogs animal meat.

Most premium dog food brands will have a animal meat or meat meal as the first ingredient. This means the major ingredient in the food is an actual animal protein which will have the most usable nutrients available for your dog.

Is price an indicator of premium dog foods? You certainly won't find any 'cheap' premium dog foods - quality ingredients cost more money. However, you will find some 'expensive' economy dog foods. These dog foods have high prices to make you think you are feeding a premium dog food, when in fact, all you are doing is increasing their profits. Always look at the ingredients list to see what you are paying for.

And now there are even more types of dog food, like organic and all-natural. To find out more about the different choices available for your dog and how to carefully select the best premium dog foods for your beloved pet at the Healthy Dog Food blog.

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Written by K.C. Jones using tags: compare dog foods, dog, dog food, dog food ingredients, dog health, healthy dog food, pet health, Pets, premium dog foods

There are literally hundreds of different types of dog food in the market, and almost all of them boast that they are a healthy dog food full of fresh meats. But are they? Only the dog food ingredients label can tell you how what kind of meat is actually in there - if you know how to read them.

First, what really constitutes a healthy dog food? The fact is a healthy food differs for each pet. Dogs may be allergic to certain ingredients, have different levels of activity, medical conditions, and different stages in life. All of these factor into what type of dog food is healthiest for your dog.

Now you must figure out the quality of the ingredients used. The proteins are a very important part of a good, quality dog food. They are also a good source of confusion when looking at the ingredients list. Animal proteins can be stated in different ways. Meat, meal, and by-product are the three main categories.

What is the difference between a Meat, Meal, and By-Product? An identified animal meat, chicken for example, means the clean flesh from a chicken. Meal is simply the ingredient that has be dehydrated and ground. So chicken meal is dehydrated, ground up chicken meat. By-product is what is left over after all the usable meat has been removed (like the neck, feet, intestines, etc.) Chicken by-product would be processed and ground up chicken necks, feet, and who really knows what else.

Animal vs. Animal Meal? Which one first? Although most people think that having an animal meat as the first ingredient is a good indicator of a quality dog food, it is very misleading. Yes, you want an identified meat in the first ingredient, but listing a specific meat meal is the best.

Ingredients must be listed in order of weight. Meat still has water in it, meat meal has been dehydrated. Therefore, one pound of meat meal will have more protein and nutrients in it than one pound of meat. When actually making the dog food, the meat will be dehydrated. If they listed the meat after this dehydration, it would fall much lower down the ingredient list.

What Does a Generic 'Meat' Mean? All animal meats must be identified on the label. If the food is from a specific animal, such as salmon, it will be stated as 'salmon'. If the food is from an animal class, like fish, then more than one type of that animal could be in the meat - like salmon, tuna, cod - and will labeled as 'fish'. A generic 'meat' or 'meat meal' is the absolute worse - it means the actual animal meat cannot be even identified. You could have some cow, goat, fish, geese, etc.

A general rule of thumb for a healthy dog food is if the animal source can't be identified, this is usually a good indicator to stay away from that dog food. 'Meat' is a definite clue for stay away! A class of meat, like poultry, although not as bad as just 'meat', still makes one question the source of the meat. A specific animal meat is best.

There are lots of things to take into consideration when determining what is a healthy dog food for your dog. Learn more about how to read your dog food ingredients list at the Healthy Dog Food Blog - assisting you in figuring out what makes the healthiest food for your dog.

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Written by K.C. Jones using tags: dog, dog food, dog food ingredients, dog food ingredients list, healthiest dog food, healthy dog food, nutritious dog food, pet food, Pets

What you don't know could be bad for your dog, causing illness and even death. Most of us don't pay a lot of attention to what we feed our pets, trusting manufacturer labeling to be accurate and regulations to be followed. The truth is that there really aren't very many rules about what can and can't go into dog food.

Unfit For Consumption

Did you know that many different brands of dog food could contain unpleasant substances like hair, ligaments, organs, skin, nervous tissue, and meat from diseased animals? Or that spoiled meat and the bodies of euthanized zoo animals and pets could be used?

Most of even the good meat that ends up in dog and cat food is heavily processed, removing any nutritive value it once had. Ingredients like poultry broth, animal meal, and other nonspecific foods are unappealing and bad for our pets.

Animal meal, for instance, is what's left after fat and meat have been processed out of a carcass. What's left is dried and ground, resulting in a meal similar in texture to cornmeal. Broths are made up of processed carcasses from many different animal types, in just about any condition.

It's Legal!

Unfortunately, none of this is against the law. We're used to fairly good rules about what can and can't go into human food, and we're used to those laws being reasonably well enforced. The regulations about what can be put into pet food are much looser, and may not be enforced at all.

This means that just about anything might turn up in your dog's food, with labeling meaning little. Even the words "healthy and balanced" mean only that there's a particular ratio of protein and fat, as well as some added vitamins and minerals.

Preservatives and Additives

All of us have probably heard about the recent recalls due to melamine contamination. What you might not know is that this isn't the only additive in pet food that might cause illness or death. There are a number of preservatives used in pet food that cause real problems in humans who work with them, and could cause liver and kidney failure or cancer in your dog over time.

Not Just Cheap Foods

This is happening in cheap dog foods, but there's no way to tell if the expensive ones are affected, too. these pet foods are often higher in quality, but sometimes they're not. That means that even if your vet recommends it, you have to do your research.

Your Options

You have a number of choices when it comes to improving your pet's food. First is to learn how to read the labels. Ingredients that come first are there in bigger percentages, so look for named meats far up on the list instead of generic terms.

You can also learn about the additives and preservatives that can hurt your pets, and look for the foods with the lowest percentage of grains. There are also a number of excellent recipes out there that can help dedicated pet owners make their own foods. Just be sure to do something, since most foods are actually dangerous.

Click Here to discover what dog foods have been proven to be harmful to a dog's health. Find out what the best dog food is to make sure your pooch is in perfect health.

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Written by Greg McNaughton using tags: animals, dog food, Dogs, healthy dog food, Home, natural dog food, Pets

Most people have no idea how stressful it can be to have a dog that won't eat. To quickly get your dog eating again, you must first determine whether the problem of your dog not eating is physical or psychological.

Before diving into this problem, if you have a dog with a medical condition, or a puppy, pregnant dog, or nursing dog, you need to take them to the vet immediately. These dogs have certain nutritional requirements that are better if dealt with professionally.

Is this a sudden problem? First, is he listless, or in any type of pain? If so, take him to your vet immediately. If there are no apparent problems, just wait a day or two. Sometimes your dog gets into things that upset his stomach and he doesn't feel like eating. Make sure he has plenty of fresh water and the chance to got outside as needed. If after two days he still doesn't eat, take him to your vet as he may have an internal parasite problem.

If you have ruled out a physical problem that is keeping your dog from eating, then you've got a psychological problem on your hands. Keep these tips in mind when trying to get your dog to eat.

1. Does your dog get enough attention? Some dogs get lonely and bored if they don't get enough attention. When that happens, they will do anything to get attention from you. So they don't eat their dinner - and you freak out! Hey, the attention they desire. This soon develops into an eating problem for your dog. Start interacting with your pet more - play with him and take him on daily walks.

2. What if your dog is not trying to get attention, but is just plain spoiled? Then you need to step up and start acting like the master. Simply put his food bowl down and after 20 minutes pick it up and throw the food away. Do not give your dog any treats at any time during the day. Make his mealtime the only time he gets to eat. If he still has not eaten after 3 days of this, you may want to take him to the vet and make sure there are no physical problems.

3. What is your behavior during dinnertime? Do you watch your dog? Hover over him to see if he eats? If you are anxious about your dog not eating, you may be making him nervous. Your dog is more in tune with your feelings than you realize. You may be telling him to eat, but your dog can tell if you are afraid. You are afraid he won't eat, but all your dog knows is that you are afraid.

Give your dog his dinner, and leave. If he follows you instead of eating, put him in a room with his food and close the door. Do not return for 20 minutes - just let him be. If it doesn't work the first day, try again for a couple more days. Once he senses, or rather doesn't sense, your problems, he may be able to eat.

4. Did you ever think it might just be his dog food that he just doesn't like - plain and simple. If you are feeding an economy dog food, it is pretty much like junk food and fast food rolled into one for your pet. And he may be tired of it. His body needs more. Or there may be a certain ingredient in your current dog food that your dog is allergic to. Take a look at some super-premium or all-natural dog food alternatives. This may be what he needs to start eating again.

Try using these tips and you may solve your dog eating problems. Don't let your dog's dinnertime be a time of anxiety for you or your dog.

If your dog is not eating because he dislikes his dog food, please visit the Healthy Dog Food Blog to learn more about how to find the healthiest food for your dog to stay in optimal health. This article is for informational purpose only and is NOT intended to replace the advice of a veterinarian or pet care professional.

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Written by K.C. Jones using tags: dog, dog food, dog food allergies, dog food ingredients, dog is not eating, dog not eating, healthy dog food, pet food, Pets

Dog itching is an all too common problem, and painful. All the constant scratching gets irritating and aggravating for your dog. To stop your dog's itching for good, you must first figure out what is causing the problem. But he needs itch relief now!

The most common natural approach to stop your dog from scratching is to bathe him with a colloidal oatmeal shampoo. Try to let the oatmeal shampoo stay on his skin and coat for 10 - 15 minutes to allow its incredible anti-inflammatory and anti-itching powers get to work.

Use only cool to lukewarm water in the bath and make sure to thoroughly rinse all shampoo off of your dog. After rinsing, use a towel to pat, not rub, the excess water off. Now is a good time for some loving and cuddling with your beloved pet, as his skin should finally have a little relief to all his itching.

However, the effects of the colloidal oatmeal will eventually wear off and your poor dog will be back to scratching again. So, while your dog has some relief from the oatmeal bath, you need to try to figure out what is causing his intense itching. It could be anything from fleas to allergies to mange. But did you also know it could be caused from lack of nutrition?

When a dog is not getting the right nutrients, two things can happen that can cause your dog's itchy skin. First, the skin itself might not be getting what it needs to thrive and it dries out - causing your dog to itch. Second, your dog's immune system gets frazzled and hyper-sensitive and attacks anything foreign.

This is why many people think their dogs have food allergies. They itch and scratch without any physical evidence of a problem (fleas or mange). Most times it is not an allergy to the food, but rather a hyper-sensitive immune system on overdrive or skin that is drying out.

If you think improper nutrition could be the cause of your dog's itching, you are in luck. Rather than buying medicines, you may just need to change your dog food to one that will provide quality nutrients.

Even adding extra supplements specifically aimed at a healthy coat and skin will yield great benefits while the immune system and skin heals itself.

While feeding a healthy dog food will take a few weeks to stop dog itching, the relief will be permanent. As an added benefit, a healthy immune system means your dog is less prone to other illnesses and disease as well.

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Written by K.C. Jones using tags: dog health, dog itching, dog itchy skin, healthy dog food, itch relief, Pets

Have you looked at the variety of dog food in the markets lately? Browsing over all the bags, they all brag about the great quality of meat they have inside and how healthy the dog food is. But how do you know? You have to learn to decipher the dog food ingredients label to find out.

First, what really constitutes a healthy dog food? The fact is a healthy food differs for each pet. Dogs may be allergic to certain ingredients, have different levels of activity, medical conditions, and different stages in life. All of these factor into what type of dog food is healthiest for your dog.

Figuring out the type of dog food will narrow your list of dog foods greatly. Now you need to determine which has the healthiest ingredients for your dog. The first ingredient that should be listed is a meat. And that is where is starts to get tricky. Meat, meal, by-product. Huh? What happened to just meat?

What is the difference between a Meat, Meal, and By-Product? An identified animal meat, chicken for example, means the clean flesh from a chicken. Meal is simply the ingredient that has be dehydrated and ground. So chicken meal is dehydrated, ground up chicken meat. By-product is what is left over after all the usable meat has been removed (like the neck, feet, intestines, etc.) Chicken by-product would be processed and ground up chicken necks, feet, and who really knows what else.

Which is Better - Meat or Meal? Now you look at your dog food ingredients list. Naturally, most people would assume seeing the meat listed as the first ingredient would mean the best food. But in actuality, you want to see the meat in the meal form.

Ingredients must be listed in order of weight. Meat still has water in it, meat meal has been dehydrated. Therefore, one pound of meat meal will have more protein and nutrients in it than one pound of meat. When actually making the dog food, the meat will be dehydrated. If they listed the meat after this dehydration, it would fall much lower down the ingredient list.

Named Animal Meat vs Generic Category Meat. If the animal protein is from chicken, the label will read chicken, chicken meal, chicken by-product, etc. Now if it is from more than one type of animal, it may say the category of the animal, such as poultry. This means the manufacturer does not know the actual meat origins, just that they are of the poultry family (geese, turkey, chicken, etc). Worse yet, when any and all types of animals are used, it is just listed as 'meat', 'meat meal', or 'meat by-product'.

A general rule of thumb for a healthy dog food is if the animal source can't be identified, this is usually a good indicator to stay away from that dog food. 'Meat' is a definite clue for stay away! A class of meat, like poultry, although not as bad as just 'meat', still makes one question the source of the meat. A specific animal meat is best.

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Written by K.C. Jones using tags: dog food ingredients, healthy dog food, Pets

Have you ever looked at your dog food ingredients list? If you think it is hard to understand, you're not alone. But what you don't know about what is in your dog food could cause health problems for your dog. You only want the best for your pet, but his current dog food may actually be harming him.

Sometimes is seems like you need a degree to figure out all the ingredients in your dog food. What do all these terms mean? The dog food companies basically tell you not to worry about it - they will take care of your beloved pet. But consumers got a terrible wake-call with the massive pet food recalls over the last few years. They may know what is best for our dogs, but that is not what they are giving us. Thankfully, more organic and all-natural pet foods have been springing up, giving us healthier dog food choices.

Although some of the ingredients seem like a foreign language, one you learn some tips in reading through the label, you will be able to compare dog foods and figure out which one is healthiest for your dog.

1. Ingredients are listed by weight, by law. So the first 5 - 10 ingredients listed are the main ingredients in the dog food. Good ingredients will equal a good dog food.

2. Look for natural preservatives, such as vitamins E and C (also shown as tocopherols and ascorbic acid). Inferior dog foods still use BHT, BHA, and Ethoxyquin. These chemical preservatives have been banned from use in human food.

3. A trick some dog food companies use, legally, is to break up one ingredient into several "sub-ingredients," thus moving these ingredients lower in the ingredient list. This is especially true for inferior grains. For example, instead of seeing "corn" listed, you might see corn bran, corn gluten, and corn flour, even though they are all derived from corn. Now, another ingredient that weighs more than either of these sub-ingredients, will be listed before these.

4. We all want to see a meat listed as a top 2 ingredient. That way we know our pet will get the good protein he needs. But really, you want to see the meal of that meat listed instead. If a meat is listed by itself, then its weight is measured complete with liquid. That makes it very easy to put as a #1 or #2 ingredient. But when the food is actually processed, the liquid is removed, so weight-wise, it might actually fall down to #3 or #4. A meat meal is weighed after the meat has been dehydrated. So you get more of the animal protein and nutrients in the meat meal than you would just the meat.

The moral of the story? Learn to read the labels to see what you are actually feeding your dog. Your current dog food may be great, or it may be the worst thing for your dog. Don't just rely on enticing packaging showing a delicious chicken and lots of fresh beautiful fruits and vegetables. Although we like to think that is what we are feeding our dogs, the reality is, most dog foods are nothing like this!

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There has been a lot of concern over different kinds of dog food. Various recalls and consumer complaints have shown that not all commercially sold dog food are good for dogs. This has led a lot of people to consider giving their pets natural dog food. There are, however, a couple of things to keep in mind when choosing natural food for your dog.

* Understand Your Dog and His Food Needs

The first thing to keep in mind is that there are different forms of natural dog food. Raw and cooked meat and vegetables are usually understood as being natural, but commercially sold natural food is also in this category. Your job is to find out which type most fits the needs of your dog.

Not all dogs are same. Their nutritional requirements vary dependent on their different breeds and specific health conditions. You should always observe your dog's behavior and health condition, especially after changes in food. Consult your veterinarian with your observation and ask for his advice.

* Get Food Prepared for Your Dog

Many dog owners feel that they should be the ones preparing natural dog food for their pets. Again, this is only a good idea if you are fully aware of what exactly your dog needs and in what quantity. Some may serve raw meat while others feel that cooking meat and vegetables is a better idea. Heating and cooking can help destroy harmful bacteria that may have found their way into food.

You should also note that many human foods can be dangerous or even toxic to your dogs. Examples of such foods include chocolates, raisins, mushrooms and onions. You can make the list complete with your own research and observation. To play it safe, commercial brands of natural dog food are probably better choices over self-prepared natural dog food.

* Read What the Labels Say

Just like what you do with human food, you should always check what is on the lable when you purchase dog food. As a general rule, natural dog food should not have such ingredients as wheat and corn fillers, artificial coloring and flavoring, animal and plant by-products, as well as artificial preservatives. Many of dog's behavioral changes and health problems, such as gastrointestinal problem and malnutrion, can be attributed to these synthetic ingredients.

* Find Proteins and Nutrients for Your Dog

Dogs were built to be carnivorous so the bulk of their diet should remain protein-rich. The protein sources however should never be low-grade meat by-products. Your dog should be fed high quality lean meat and poultry.

Apart from protein, vitamins and minerals are also essential nutrients that should be found in natural dog food. You may choose to buy foods with fortified nutrients, or may feed your dog with vitamin-rich foods, such as squash, beans and peas.

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