Raw Diet Dog Food

How Do You Know You Dog Food Is Really Organic? Here`s Some Facts!

Most dog/pet owners want to feed their critters a natural, organic food, but what do all those ingredient terms mean and how do I know it really is organic? Manufacturers of organic meals must be grown with no pesticides or chemical fertilizers. All animal products must be raised antibiotic and growth hormone-free.

Though ‘natural’  is not defined, it usually refers to foods that are processed without artificial flavors or preservatives, or chemical additives. Because dogs are carnivores, meat should always be the first ingredient. If it says ‘animal protein’ or ‘meat by-products’, that does NOT mean meat!

By- products are made up of unused parts of the animal like feet, head, lungs, spleen and  leftover fat. The meat could even come from diseased, dying,dead or disabled animals. Each batch of by-products will be different so there`s no way to measure the nutritional value.  as per   www.articlealley.com

According to regulations, ‘meat’ must be labeled to refer to goats, cows, pigs or sheep, plus the meat can only be from certain muscles and tissue, and not from leftover by-products. For example, a product labeled “chicken dog food”  must be 95% chicken while a food labeled “chicken dinner” only needs to have 25% chicken and “dog food with chicken” only needs 3% chicken in it. If it says “chicken flavored” , it only needs a trace amount of “imparting a flavor”.

Most commercial dog foods list grain as the main ingredient but they must be cooked at a high temperature to make them digestible for the dog. Not many nutrients remain, thus providing only empty calories. Many experts suggest dry foods should not be mixed with water, milk or other liquid because of the bacteria content, as liquid allows it to multiply.

Don`t use any product that smells rancid and store all dry food in an air tight container. Feeding your pet an organic diet will cause the pet to eat less, have less stool, have more energy, a healthier body and a shiny coat. For more info on organic and raw pet foods you can go to: www.darwinspet.com

Image source  en.wikipedia.

Why raw diet for dogs? – Part 2

In my previous article I suggested you consider a raw diet for your dog as convenient, healthier and less expensive plus adding nutritional value to the dogs diet.  It is almost like using a microwave, but to me a blender for cutting up the veggies as my dog loves things in tiny pieces. "No, I can't chop that small or maybe I can and don't want to buy a chopper or cut more."  Food processor can work too.  My Vitamix is king, pricey, but still it works wonders. Surely get an inexpensive blender if that is your best choice. I fed my dog a raw diet for many years. Actually over 9 years I believe.  She loved raw game meat.  She hated ground chicken or even eating bones.  "What about veggies?" Oops. Live and learn along the journey.   I didn't know to add supplements to her meal(s).  Now I think this as necessary. I can't suggest because our vet offers wisdom for my dog's particular needs.  She ate pretty much the same diet for years. Sometimes it takes a "bite" in the pocketbook to learn. Yes, variety is "queen" on meats and veggies too. From my research a dog weighing about 50 pounds should be eating one pound of raw food daily. My 45 pound dog eats close to that amount and many times more that includes fresh organic veggies.  She does eat some cooked chicken and fish daily.  I prefer grass fed when affordable and available.  Molly is no longer 100% on a raw food diet, but does eat some cooked but only fresh organic veggies.  It's a choice I have made.   So call her 90% on BARF diet. Raw foods contain minerals, vitamins and nutrients that are unprocessed or altered.  Therefore they are a better choice than foods that have been sitting on a shelf for months.  I am suggesting raw meats, cooked fish and chicken and fresh veggies.  I don't do grains, nor fruits.  Do dogs have gluten problems? I don't know but wonder.  It is my choice and you may want to add in fresh fruit. No bones for her as she chooses not to chew like most dog do.  " Why? I don't know."  Strange to me too.   She doesn't chew then to clean her teeth but carrots will do that if she only loved chewing these gems. Molly girl, as we call her, loves eating her veggies cut up small.  Learn to rotate their foods.  Another words, variety is "king.

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