Learn More On Raw Dog Food
All pet owners want their pets to live happy and healthy long lives, and feeding them raw dog food can go a long way to ensuring that. It is absolutely vital to be aware of what goes into your pet's food bowl. Dogs depend on their owners to take care of them, and they give them incomparable companionship and affection in return.
While dogs in specific will eat almost anything, it is very dangerous to feed dogs chow meant for people, as their stomachs are not able to handle many foods that people are used to. For example, chow such as onions, garlic, chocolate, and tomatoes contain chemicals that are highly toxic to dogs, and can result in serious illness and even death if the dog were to ingest them.
This was the impetus in creation of special chow meant solely for dogs. There are many different brands of conventional dog chow, but most come in two ways as either dried or wet. Wet pet chow frequently will contain less meat and more fat than the dry type, but will have a high moisture content. Dry types are preferred by many owners because of their low price, and convenience as they can last for a very long time.
While these types are created specifically for animals, they can sometimes contain ingredients that are not very healthy and can in fact be harmful to your pet. For example, many cheap dog chow brands will contain bone meal or animal byproducts in their pet chow. Also, brains and spinal cords which are not allowed to be in human food can be in dog chow. These parts are dangerous as they can carry specific diseases.
Many things which are dangerous when consumed by humans due to risk of disease transmission, such as brainstems and spinal cords of slaughtered cattle, are routinely put into pet food. Many cheaper brands will contain bone meal or animal byproducts.
There is nothing illegal about companies who put into their pet chow meat from animals who have died of illness, even though they would never dream of using such meal for people chow. Sometimes, grain fillers or protein gels can be made to mimic the look of meat. Since there are no restrictions on packaging, many of these products can be made to look like they are healthy for your pet, when they are not.
Recently, many businesses have begun to manufacture pet chow made out of healthy, organic ingredients. These businesses are dedicated to the health of dogs and make sure that nothing harmful is used in the production of their food.
Buying raw dog food can sometimes be a bit more expensive than the usual, economy branded food, but the difference in the health and happiness of your pet will be no small matter. Specifically, the pet foods created in such a way can even make your pet more energetic, and overall more fit and healthy, even improving the look and feel of your pet's coat. Some older pets may find moving easier, and become more playful.
Jamie is a dog health professional who specializes in natural raw dog food.
