From the category archives:

Dog Food Nutrients

Dog Food Comparisons – What Am I Looking For?

By Teddy Paseo

Dog food comparisons can be a helpful tool when determining what type of dog food you should get for your pet. However, with all of the information found on dog food comparison charts, what should the owner be the most concerned about? The simple answer is the types of ingredients used in the dog food. Other issues such as palatability and cost are secondary concerns, since these do not contribute to a dog’s health.

Along that vein, there are three things you need to be on the look out for when analyzing dog food comparisons: the sources used for protein, the amount of preservatives used and whether or not the dog food contains corn. Look at the sections below for more information.

1. Protein Sources

First and foremost, you need to look at protein sources a company uses for their dog food. This information should be readily available on dog food comparisons that are truly objective. If you do not see it, you need to move on to the next website, because chances are the dog food comparison chart is only for promotional purposes.

Anyway, most dog food companies will derive animal protein from five sources: real meat, meat by-products, bone meal, beef tallow and animal fat. Of these sources, obviously, real meat is the best. However, animal fat may not be as bad, assuming the fat comes from a source that is already preserved. But everything else on the list needs to be avoided, since they do not provide the amount of protein a dog needs for healthy functioning.

2. Amount of Preservatives

Preservative information should also be readily available in dog comparisons…even if the chart is more subjective. Why? Well, many ‘organic’ dog food companies like showcasing how few preservatives are in their food. So, they would have no problem publishing this information in their dog food comparisons. However, still tread with caution. Even if all the ingredients seem natural, use an organic dog food comparison chart to make sure the company is telling the truth.

3. The Presence of Corn

Finally, good dog food comparisons will let you know whether or not a brand of dog food contains corn. Why is this important? Studies have shown that dogs have a difficult time digesting corn… even if it’s in a small amount. So, don’t put your dog in agony. If a particular brand of dog food has corn in it, find something else you can feed your pet.

We all want healthy happy pets. Just like humans, pets suffer form ill health caused by poor diets. Our free report outlines some of the dangers of commercial dog foods and the chemicals and other ingredients that they contain. Don’t feed your dog dangerous food. Learn the problems with commercial dog food at Dog Food Comparisons and http://www.dogfood-facts-exposed.com.

Author: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Teddy_Paseo

Article Source:eZineArticles.com

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My Akita Won’t Eat The Dog Food I Buy!

December 5, 2008

The other day I received the following question from Chris (USA): What do you feed your Akita? I’m having a problem finding a food my Akita “likes.” He never seems to WANT to eat only if I force him too. He gets plenty of exercise just doesn’t like the foods I’ve had him on (Solid [...]

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Risking All Meat Syndrome in a Growing Puppy

November 21, 2007

Today I received the following dog food question from a UK dog lover via the Best Dog Food Guide – Contact Form. “I feed my 8 week year old puppy chicken breast and vegetables with olive oil. Could you give me some tips of how much to feed him and what else to feed him? [...]

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Scary E Numbers In Dog Food

November 11, 2007

E numbers are often present on dog food labels as well as on labels of our own food. These numbers are codes for food additives that are approved for use by in the European Union. Nowadays you can also find these in other jurisdictions such as, amongst others, Australia and New Zealand. Usage in the [...]

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A Carnivore With An Appetite For Carbohydrates

October 8, 2007

An animal with sharp pointed teeth, designed to kill and tear apart the meat. Jaw muscles strong enough to crack bones and eat those too. An animal with a short digestive tract that is unable to digest plant material. Yes… I’m talking about a dog  Dogs are classified as carnivores because of their teeth [...]

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Which Dog Food Ingredients to Look For and Which to Avoid?

September 24, 2007

As the dog food companies exist to make profit they will try to cut down costs and to increase revenues. This can’t be a big surprise to you as this is true for most, if not all, commercial companies. Dog food comes in different price ranges and hence in different qualities. Consumer behavior, so YOUR [...]

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Better Doggie Training with Fish Fat for Brains

August 5, 2007

You’ve probably heard about omega-3 fatty acids. These are abundantly present in fish oil and are highly marketed as essential supplement to your food or your dog’s food for that matter. Omega-3 fatty acids are added to just about every human food and the year 2007 may get labelled omega-3 fatty acid year for that [...]

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Class Action Lawsuit Filed Against 14 Pet Food Manufacturers

July 27, 2007

In a federal court in Miami a nationwide class action lawsuit was filed against pet food companies. It alleges the pet food industry misleads consumers about the ingredients in cat and dog food. An example of ‘false advertising’ that is given is the advertisement of dog food as though it is people food when in [...]

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Dog Food; a Quick and Nutritious Take-Away Meal for You?

July 11, 2007

Nutrition experts have compared 15 pet food brands with 30 common dishes served to humans on key measures such as fat, salt and sugar levels. Ceasar dog food has 4.4 g fat per 100 g and Gourmet Gold cat food has just 2.9 g of fat per 100 g. The unhealthiest food on test appeared [...]

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Vitamins in Dog Food – Vital or Fatal?

July 2, 2007

No doubt about it, vitamins are essential for a healthy happy dog. But as is true for everything in life; too much of anything can hurt. As Paracelcus (1493-1541) postulated: “It’s not the substance that defines what is toxic and what isn’t, but the amount“. Though we do not generally consider vitamins as toxins, intake [...]

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The Meaning of Minerals

June 26, 2007

Why is it we want everything to be bigger and better all the time? Especially the bigger part I don’t get. The most important things in life can’t even be touched like love and happiness. The most successful killers in the world are too small to be seen by the naked eye (viruses and bacteria). [...]

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