Good Food Good Health » Dog Health

What Does Your Dog Food Need To Be Healthy?

health reporter — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 05:45:16 +0000

When you think about it, what does your dog need from its food in order to be healthy?
Today our pets have a wide variety to meet their tastes and needs and we have our choice of what kind of food we can choose to feed them. Despite the variety, pet foods usually fall into three major categories. These categories are: Grocery store foods, these types of dog and pet foods are usually found in grocery stores and mass marketed retailers and can contain lower quality, less expensive ingredients. The second category is “premium dog foods,” which can also be found in grocery’s stores but are also found in pet stores and through your local veterinarian’s office.
These types of foods are usually made from some higher quality ingredients and are usually made evident by the expense of the food. Some of these pet foods though can contain lower quality ingredients that you aren’t aware of. The third and final category is healthy dog foods which are a relatively new addition and make use of the latest research into the best foods and blends for your pet.
So what is best for our pet and how do we choose the proper dog food?
Quality, healthy ingredients make quality, healthy dog food. Nutrition is important no matter whether you’re a person or a pet. Pets, just like humans, need good nutrition not just to survive but to truly be healthy. They need good quality protein, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, and fats. This is where premium, healthy dog food can benefit your pets.
Typically, healthy dog food contains quality protein, good quality carbohydrates and fiber, natural fats and preservatives. The protein does not come from dead or diseased animals and you will never see the word by-product on the label. By-products (feet, bones intestines, etc) are inferior protein sources that are sometimes used and can be very hard for your dog to digest. Less digestion means less nutritious and therefore not as healthy. Quality protein helps build and maintain muscle strength.
If you see corn, soy or wheat used as protein sources instead of meat, you now know your pet isn’t getting healthy dog food. Good quality carbohydrates give your pet the energy to be active. Good fiber sources help promote a healthy digestive system and colon. Quality fats from animal sources contain omega fatty acids that benefit the skin and coat.
Believe it or not dog food manufacturers that label their bags “premium food” use these ingredients as well as chemical preservatives and artificial colors that can be harmful to pets.
Benefits beyond healthy nutrition
When your pet is eating right, it feels better, giving you a happy and more playful companion, fewer trips to the vet, and less wasted food. Ultimately, giving your pet better food might seem expensive initially, but keeping your pet healthy saves you money, time and expense in the long run. Healthy, premium dog food can possibly extend the life of your pet giving you more quality years together.

Dog Food Nutrition For Healthy Canines

health reporter — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 05:58:40 +0000

Whether you have a new puppy that is full of energy or you have an older dog that you are trying to keep as healthy and strong as possible, you’ll find that one of the most important things that you can do is check out what is going into their dog food. Just like humans, dogs need good, healthy food to thrive, and though they can get by for a long time by eating food that is just so-so for them, you’ll be surprised by how much difference good food can make.
Take a look at the ingredients in the dog food that you are currently buying. Just like with human food, the first ingredient is going to be the one that makes up most of the food. When you see corn, or soy or wheat as the first ingredient, this is your first hint that you will need to switch foods. You will also find that if your dog has a weak stomach or has issues with eating or digestion, this may be the cause. There are many dogs that have undiagnosed allergies to the food that they eat, and you may notice a real improvement as soon as the food is switched out.
Protein is very important to canines and should be the first ingredient. Moreover it should be a protein that is from an animal and not grain. It should not be anything “by products.” These can be body parts of animals like the neck, head, guts, feet, lungs, and bones.
Believe it or not some pet food manufacturers substitute meat protein by using corn, gluten, and wheat. These ingredients in fact commonly cause allergies in pets. When your dog food contains too many grains your dog is not getting the nutrients that he or she would need to thrive.
Another thing to consider is what preservatives are being used. Try to avoid foods that contain the preservatives BHT, Ethoxyquin, or BHA. These can be harmful to your pet in the long run. Instead, look for dog foods that contain natural sources like vitamins as a preservative.
Just like humans, dogs are what they eat. A good healthy foundation of nutritious food is vital for your young puppy or senior. Dogs also age faster than humans so it is important to feed a healthy and balanced diet to help the immune system ward off free radicals and all that comes with aging.
Something else to keep in mind is the cost of food. Usually when something is more expensive it might be assumed it a better quality of food. This is not always the case. Ingredients are important, where the ingredients come from and how they are formulated to make the brand. If you are beginning to check labels make sure you follow some of the guidelines above.
Healthy treats are just as important. When you start feeding a premium dog food, don’t forget about the premium treats. You might also find that your canine may like some veggies as treats!
If you are interested in your dog’s health and want to see him thrive, take some time and review the ingredients in the food and treats that he/she is eating.

7 Dog Health Benefits From Leash Training your Dog

health reporter — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 17:41:02 +0000

Everyone knows that dogs love to go for a walk, but did you know your dog receives 7 important health benefits every time you snap on the leash? These important health benefits make it worth your time to leash train your dog.
Since many of our dogs are just as overweight and out of shape as their owners, taking your dog for a walk will give him all the same fitness benefits that people get from a walking program. The fact that you care enough about your dog to want him to keep him healthy will keep you on your own exercise program, too.
In addition to the fitness benefits, walking can also improve moods, for both people and dogs. Walking causes your brain to produce more serotonin, a mood enhancing chemical. Walking also causes your brain to produce less cortisol, a stress hormone. When the brain chemicals are re-balanced this way, both you and your dog be calmer and less anxious and less stressed out.
In other words, walking regularly will make both you and your dog happier, healthier, and perhaps even more enjoyable to be around.
Since a dog’s normal lifespan is so much shorter than ours, the effect of a sedentary lifestyle and too much food has an even more devastating effect on dogs than on people. The stress of excess weight and too much fat can cut a dog’s life short by as much as two years, according to Marty Becker, DVM, the author of The Healing Power of Pets. Walking daily will prevent many of the more common health problem in dogs.
Regular exercise, including a daily walk, will tone your dog’s muscles, improve his digestion, and make him feel happily tired. It may also boost his immune system. And it could even prolong his life, because excess weight leads to chronic illnesses in dogs, such as heart disease and diabetes. Getting regular exercise helps your dog keep his weight down, so he can stay healthy.
Once you establish a regular walking program, your dog may experience some or all the following benefits:
1. A regular walking program will help your overweight dog lose the extra pounds, which will help him feel more energetic and enthusiastic about life.
2. The weight loss could help him live longer, and the regular, gentle exercise could help reduce any pain he now feels from arthritis, hip displasia, or simple inactivity. (Remember, if your dog has any problems with his joints, or any illnesses that affect his breathing or movement, talk to his vet before beginning any exercise program.)
3. The increased fitness could reduce the chance that he will get one of the chronic diseases associated with excess weight, such as heart disease, diabetes, and osteoarthritis.
4. Your dog will look up to you as the real leader of the household, and the two of you will form a strong, natural bond.
5. Some disciplinary problems may go away on their own when your dog starts getting the exercise he really needs and when he can use his brain and creative intelligence while discovering the world outside.
6. He’ll probably feel calmer, more content, and more playful because he feels better, and because his internal chemistry has adjusted to more normal levels.
7. He’ll sleep better, and snore less. This may not seem like a big deal unless you’ve become accustomed to waking up many times in the night because your dog just can’t get comfortable. Overweight dogs (like overweight people) tend to snore.
So get out and walk every day with your dog. It will make both of you happier, and healthier.