With the many commercially prepared dog foods available on today’s market, it is often quite difficult to tell which ones are better than others and why.
If you want to find the very best product you should avoid being swayed by bold marketing claims.Manufacturers spend millions each year on advertising and glossy packaging to try and sway your buying decision.Look past the advertising hype and you will generally find that the price of the food is the biggest indicator of a quality dry dog food product.
When buying food check that it contains around 25% protein and no around 20% fat.The protein should come from a good quality source. All dogs are different and their age, mobility, lifestyle and breed will have an effect on the amount of protein and oil that they will require in their diet. If you are in any doubt you should ask your vet for advice.It is important to understand which ingredients are better than others. Pay attention to the ingredients list and look out for: Human Grade Ingredients Chicken meal, Turkey meal, Fish meal, Rice, Potatoes, Lamb meal, Potatoes, Rice, Sunflower Oil, Vegetables and others.Meat needs to be the number on ingredient on the list. You also want to make sure it says chicken meal and not chicken as the primary ingredient.With pet food, the term chicken can actually include beaks, claws and feathers.
Quality dog food will also include vitamins and fatty acids. Omega 6 and 3 plus Vitamin E are great examples of these.Don’t buy food laden with artificial preservatives.There are a number of other ingredients which you should try and avoid or keep to a minimum including wheat, soy, cereals, corn and chicken by-products. Such ingredients are hard for any dog to digest and can cause health problems in later life, so you really do need to avoid them.Sugar is another ingredient that you want to stay away from.

Technorati Tags: best dry dog food, dog food, dried dog food, dry dog food, quality dog food

The food you give to your dog really does have a direct impact on his health and well-being.

One of the most important elements of dog food is protein. A healthy, mature dog needs around 18% protein in its daily diet and this level increases for puppies and reproducing dogs.Fat is another key ingredient, with a healthy dog requiring about five percent fat in each meal.Keep the balance of fats and proteins constant and you will have a dog that is of an ideal weight.You need to avoid over feeding fats to your dog, because just like in humans too much fat causes weight gain and provides little nutritional value.

Many of us choose to feed a commercial dog food product. Generally they are of a good quality but you should always try and buy the best you can afford and before purchasing the product make sure you read the ingredients list. Meat (protein) should be the first ingredient.The last thing you want is a fussy dog, so bear the following in mind…

1. Two meals a day are sufficient for an adult dog. If you feed several small meals per day your dog may be more inclined to over eat and beg for food.

2. Feeding time is a time to allow your dog some space. Once he is eating you should leave him. Dont fuss over him or stand watching him as this may make him nervous or agitated.2. Your dog should be given some space when eating, so don’t let the kids crowd him or pet him during meals times – it is too distracting and can be distressing for the animal.

3. Remember, you are in charge. If your dog will not eat the food you have provided don’t be too quick to back down and feed something else. By backing down you are allowing him to be fussy.

4. A varied diet is ideal but make sure you are not just varying the food because your dog is becoming fussy.Of course if your dog continues to turn down food you need to check there is nothing medically wrong with him.

If your dog suddenly becomes fussy he may have a physical problem like sore teeth, or a stomach upset. In this case take him to the vet.

6. Just like humans, your dog will have his favourite food.Try your dog with a variety of foods, and if he only eats one type, and will starve himself if he doesn’t get it, the best solution can simply be to feed him that type of food.

7. Don’t feed your dog a high fat diet, or junk food, including chocolate. It’s not good for them.

Technorati Tags: best dog food, dog food, dogs food, dried dog food, dry dog food

If you own or are considering owning a greyhound you need to be aware that they have very specific dietary requirements.Many experts now recognise that a poor quality dog food packed with preservatives and additives can have a negative effect on your dogs behaviour.Behavioural problems with greyhounds also generally lie within what they are fed so a good quality food with no artificial flavourings or preservatives and no genetically modified ingredients is essential.

If your dog is a retired or rescued greyhound then you should try and feed it a specialist, quality Greyhound Food.Greyhounds don’t tend to suffer from excessive weight gain, so if you are providing a good quality greyhound food product you don’t need to be overly concerned about portion sizes.

Bear in mind that ingredients such as fish oils are great for helping to maintain healthy skin, bones and eyes. Look out for such ingredients when you are next shopping for your greyhound’s food.If you think your dog’s food is lacking in oil you could try adding a spoonful of cod liver oil once per day to a bowl of food, or you can introduce fish into the diet as a snack.Water should always be supplied if you are feeding a dry pet food product.

As dogs in the wild would have been forced to catch their food their bodies are good at digesting raw meat.If you are feeding raw meat make sure you never feed poultry or pork.Please also remember dogs are omnivores and not carnivores. Feeding meat alone will cause malnutrition as will feeding vegetables and cereals alone.

Ideally, stick to a quality, specialist pet food as this will contain all the meat your greyhound requires.

Technorati Tags: best dry greyhound food, dried dog food, dry dog food, greyhound food, premium greyhound food