Dog Food
The best dog foods for your pet's health
Commercial dog foods come in one of two forms: kibble (dry dog food) and canned (wet dog food). Both types are comprised largely of meat, meat byproducts and grain fillers. While they are perfectly safe for your dog to eat, some pet owners criticize them on the basis that they're not nutritious enough. Others claim they contain too much filler and low-quality meat-and-bone meal, which essentially add up to empty calories. The frequency of dog food recall also alarms many pet owners who are suspicious of the conditions under which commercial dog foods are prepared. Available alternatives include premium dog food and natural dog food.
Healthy Dog Food Alternatives
Proponents of natural dog food diets claim that domesticated dogs should eat a diet that closely mimics what they would eat if they were wild. These so-called raw diets are primarily composed of uncooked meat; while the Food and Drug Administration does not endorse raw natural dog food diets, it does state that pet owners who insist on using it should be conscientious of safe meat handling techniques.
Homemade dog food is growing in popularity, and generally consists of cooked meat mixed with ground bone, vegetables and taurine and mineral supplements. If you're interested in making your dog's food yourself, you can pick up dog supplements and vitamins at your local pet store.
A Quick Dog Food Comparison of Premium Dog Food Brands
Supermarket brands such as Nutro, IAMS and Science Diet are mass-produced in commercial facilities and are subject to many of the criticisms that canine health-conscious pet owners make about dog food. However, these products are suitable for people on budgets, since they will meet your dog's basic nutritional needs while remaining relatively affordable.
Claiming to offer a premium food for a low price, Diamond dog food is the target of considerable controversy. After a widespread dog food recall, Diamond was slapped with a class-action lawsuit that resulted in a large settlement. The company insists that its products are made with premium ingredients, are easily digestible and provide excellent nutritional benefit.
Wellness dog foods and treats, manufactured by the Old Mother Hubbard company, is a premium dog food brand that uses natural ingredients. Available in upscale pet retail outlets and health food stores, its high concentration of quality meat makes it a favorite among proponents of health-conscious dog diets. Solid Gold is another highly regarded brand of holistic dog food, manufactured in California and distributed worldwide.
