Dog food: how to choose a good one

Checking the safety of dog food has become a growing concern in recent years…

Checking the safety of dog food has become a growing concern over the past decade, especially after the 2007 news of numerous recalls of dog food from China. Dog owners have become smarter consumers who read labels carefully and want to know where their dog’s food comes from and what’s in it.

What have we learned?

One positive outcome of the dog food scandal was that experts came together to find out what matters most to dog owners. Food safety came top of the list. In the United States, the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) sets and enforces standards for the right levels of ingredients in pet food, while quality is monitored by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). But there are no guarantees.

What should we avoid?

There are ingredients you should avoid when buying dog food. For example, avoid products whose label just says “meat” and/or “meat meal”. Just as with food for people, you’d choose the specific term “beef” over the general term “meat”. As unappetising as it sounds, unspecified “meat” can be made from spoiled meat or from dead or sick animals.

Use your common sense

Marketers like dog food to look attractive, not to your dog, who doesn’t care, but to you. That’s where chemicals and colourings come into play. Dogs need a considerable amount of protein, followed by fat, fibre, nutrients and moisture. While some experts say the breakdown should be 30 percent protein and 18 percent fat, others say every dog should be treated individually. Everyone agrees that dogs don’t need wheat or corn fillers. With canine obesity on the rise, grain-based ingredients can contribute to obesity just as much as overfeeding. Chemicals, colourings and other artificial ingredients can lead to serious health problems in your dog.

Whole, unprocessed food is best

Ingredients in poor dog food can lead to digestive problems, such as bloating, an irritated colon and inflammatory bowel disease. Whole, unprocessed food is best for you and your pet. Avoid buying dog food with large amounts of grain and corn. These two culprits can cause food allergies, which show up as rashes, bald patches and poor digestion. The jury is still out on beet pulp, a binder found in several brands of dog food. No study has confirmed whether beet pulp is bad for your dog, so if in doubt, you can avoid it.

What do the experts say about dog food?

Dog trainers and other experts believe a poor diet can lead to behavioural problems. Too much grain, which is essentially sugar, or allergies to fillers can affect mental well-being. When reading the label, avoid artificial colourings, additives, chemicals and fillers. Overly long words you can’t pronounce are probably bad news. What’s more, just as with children, poor food can cause a lack of focus and hyperactivity in dogs. Experts also say the right combination of ingredients matters, but they haven’t fully agreed on the numbers. For example, while protein is very important in a dog’s diet, too much isn’t healthy for old dogs or those with liver problems.

Remember…

Always look for high-quality protein as the main ingredient on the list. If grains are included, go for quinoa and oats rather than wheat, corn and soy, which are known allergens. Avoid gravies!

A dog’s life

Your dog’s age and stage of development matter when choosing its food. Puppies and senior dogs have different calcium needs from a young adult dog. If in doubt, always ask your vet for advice about your individual dog. Breed may matter less than size and activity level. Small pieces of kibble are better for smaller dogs, for example, while large dogs may gulp them down and choke.

What about the cost?

It’s probably no surprise that the highest-quality dog food with the healthiest ingredients is expensive. You’ll need to decide how the best food for your dog fits into your budget. There are hundreds of dog foods on the market with good ingredients and the right amounts of protein, fat, carbohydrates and nutrients.

Source: Tractive Blog