Benefits Of Organic Dog Food

Pet owners want to provide a healthy diet for their pets. Some wonder if their really is a difference and is it really to the dogs advantage to eat organic dog food. What does the term really mean anyway?

“Natural” refers to a process that doesn’t include chemical processing or the addition of artificial preservatives, colors, or flavors. Organic products are made from animals raised without growth hormones or antibiotics, and plants grown without chemical fertilizers or pesticides.

Canines are natural carnivores. Meat should be the first ingredient. Meat byproducts and animal protein are not synonyms for meat. Byproducts are made up of any unused part of an animal and can include the head, feet, ligaments, lungs, spleen, and leftover fat, as well as meat from diseased, dead, dying, or disabled animals. There’s no way to measure the nutritional value of byproducts and each batch will be different.

There are some legal restrictions for ingredient labels. Meat must be specific muscles and tissue of cows, pigs, sheep, or goats. “Beef dog food”, must by 95% beef. “Beef dinner” need only be 25% beef, and “with beef” only requires 3% beef. Flavor can be any offal, byproduct, or trace amount.

Many non-organic foodstuffs contain mostly grain and other fillers. The grains are cooked to make them digestible but they’re still empty calories that can lead to excess pounds.

The advantage of artificial preservatives is they provide for a 12 month shelf life. Little is known about the long-term effects. One artificial preservative was found to cause anemia in cats, but it’s still in use for dogs. Natural preservatives provide a very respectable shelf life of 6 months.

Some experts say dry product should not be mixed with water, milk, canned or other liquids. Although high heat kills bacteria, additional bacteria can be picked up during drying and packaging. Liquids allows the bacteria to multiply. Wet fare is a recommended part of a healthy diet, just feed it on a separate plate. Always check the expiration date when purchasing. Don’t use any product that has a rancid odor. Dry foodstuff should be stored in a tin or other sealed non-porous container.

Cost is often listed as a downside. Since non-organic products contain a lot of filler, the amount fed and the amount pooped out is greater. Expect to save on the serving size. And for the long term, expect your pet to be healthier and more energetic.

Review plans to upgrade your dog’s diet with a veterinarian, especially if a pet has allergies or is on medication. To prevent digestive upset, introduce the new diet in stages. The first offering should be 1/4 new and 3/4 old diet. Each meal increase the proportion of the new diet. There are many varieties of organic products to choose from. To be healthy, the new diet has to appeal to your dog’s taste.

Purchase organic dog food through your veterinarian, at most pet stores, or order it online to be delivered to your door. Buy standard meat-based products, vegetarian offerings, even raw food fare is available. Dogs on a healthy diet will have fewer allergies, skin problems, and digestive problems. A nutrient rich diet controls weight and boosts the immune system.

Jamie is a canine health expert who specializes in dog food without grains.

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