Holistic dog food and food made from natural ingredients
If you want to make your dog’s lifestyle healthier, then a food made from natural ingredients, free of artificial colors, flavors, preservatives, chicken by-product meal, is a good option. But how do you know if it’s right for your dog? The following is detailed information about dog food to help you and your veterinarian find the best food for your pet.
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How to determine that the composition of the feed contains only natural ingredients
In many countries, such as the United States, there is no government agency to control the production, composition, and labeling of commercial dog food. But the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) has set rules for pet food manufacturers to follow. According to the FDA (Food and Drug Administration – Food and Drug Administration), most states adhere to these rules.
The Association only allows dog food to be classified as natural if it contains ingredients “of plant, animal or artificial ingredients, raw or processed by physical action, heating, purification, extraction, hydrolysis, enzymolysis or fermentation, but not by chemical synthesis “.
Natural products and organic products
You probably think that the words “natural” and “organic” are synonymous, and you are not alone in this: a lot of people think that these terms are interchangeable. But the label “organic product” has its own characteristics. A dog food package bearing this label not only lists the ingredients it contains, but also describes the methods by which those ingredients were grown and processed. Organic food does not contain pesticides or other chemicals that can make the finished product less fresh. Irradiation and genetic modification of products are also not allowed: feed should not contain GMOs. In order for dog food packages to be labeled “Certified Organic”, the food must contain 100% certified organic ingredients and must be produced in an environmentally friendly manner. Products labeled “made with organic ingredients” must contain at least 70% organic ingredients.
The business type is “holistic” and relatively simple
The labels on dog food packages “holistic” (holistic) and “natural product” are also often confused. Although pet food manufacturers use the term “holistic” on their product labels, according to the PetMD portal, there is no official definition or interpretation of this concept yet. Often the term “holistic” refers to homemade food from whole foods and natural ingredients. It may include raw food, consisting primarily of raw meat. But there are serious drawbacks to raw food and holistic eating.
The main one is that it is very difficult to achieve the necessary balance of nutrients in homemade food, especially if it is cooked without the advice of a veterinarian. And while raw dog food proponents argue that eating raw meat is closer to the habits of the ancestors of modern dogs (who lived around the Stone Age), the Journal of the American Society for Animal Science (Journal of Animal Science) refutes this opinion: domestic dogs have evolved and now their body can process carbohydrates properly. In fact, a necessary part of a healthy and balanced diet for modern dogs is a certain amount of carbohydrates and fiber.
Another downside to raw food is that it puts pets at increased risk of parasites, bacteria, and other foodborne pathogens. There is an opinion that dogs have an iron stomach, but still eating raw food greatly threatens their health, so most veterinarians do not recommend feeding pets with such food.
The benefits of food made from natural ingredients
Sometimes artificial ingredients in dog food and chemical treatments lead to unexpected health problems in pets. According to the National Canine Cancer Foundation, some chemical additives, such as ethoxyquin, can cause skin allergies and organ problems in your pet. Even some of the preservatives found in commercial dog food can actually be toxic to animals. Ingredients that are considered purely feed ingredients, according to PetSafe, should not be contained in dog food. Buy natural dog food to avoid ingredients that are toxic and harmful to your dog. It is also worth noting that artificial ingredients can negatively impact the environment. If you are concerned about the environment and the health of your pet, the best solution is to buy natural dog food.
Ingredients
The quality of the ingredients in a dog’s food is very important for a dog’s health. The following are the main ingredients of dog food that can be seen on labels:
Meat or meat meal. Meat consists of muscle tissue or animal organs such as the heart or tongue. Meat meal is made from meat offal – these are ground parts that are considered unsuitable for humans and can only spoil our appetite, for example, brains and intestines. Meat meal from organ meats is a quality source of protein for your dog, and because of its low water content, it is often used in dry dog food.
Corn and grain. Dry dog food is high in corn or other grains such as wheat or oats. Recently, there have been concerns that these grains can cause allergies and skin problems, but it is unlikely that corn is an allergen. At the same time, it is a valuable source of carbohydrates.
Fruits and vegetables. Many natural foods include fruits, berries and vegetables such as carrots and herbs. They may be a better source of carbohydrates than grains, but they are not equally beneficial in all amounts.
Vitamins and minerals. To compensate for the loss of nutritional value during processing, many natural dog foods are fortified with additional vitamins and minerals, such as vitamins A and B and zinc oxide.
- Fats. You may not like the fact that your lunch contains fat, but a certain amount of fat is necessary for the body. Adding vegetable or animal fat, such as chicken, to dog food provides your pet with a healthier coat and skin while improving the taste of the food.
Health benefits vary by order of composition
When determining the quality of a feed, the order in which the ingredients are listed must also be taken into account. As with human products, ingredients should be listed by quantity in the finished product in descending order.
Balanced diet
Like any food, your dog’s food should be balanced. Only in this way will he satisfy all her nutritional needs. Choose dog food made with natural ingredients and supplemented with vitamins, amino acids and antioxidants. These additional nutrients are very important for a pet’s health in general and for muscle growth in particular, although a dog is unlikely to get them from natural sources. So when choosing a natural dog food, do not refuse food containing such additives: they only strengthen the health of dogs.
Ultimately, when deciding what type of food to give your pet, you need to take into account his lifestyle and determine what will suit him best. To understand whether you have chosen the right food or your choice leaves much to be desired, you can by the reaction of your dog to it. Always contact your veterinarian if you have any questions. He will help assess the needs of the dog in your particular case and give the necessary recommendations.
