Tuesday, April 30, 2024

What Food Is Better For Dogs

Best Dog Food For Italian Greyhounds

Homemade 101: Is Gluten Free Food Better For Dogs?

Italian Greyhounds are a popular small dog breed that can bring so much joy to your life. Affectionately known as Iggys, these dogs are intelligent, active, playful, and most importantly, affectionate to the ones they love. One thing that makes owning an Italian Greyhound wonderful is that theyre a hypoallergenic dog breed.

With an Iggy, you wont need to worry about you or your housemates allergies acting up all the time. When youre bringing a new furry friend into your home, you have more than a handful of things to think about. Such as whether to get pet insurance, what house rules youll implement, and several other things.

Suppose youre getting ready to welcome your brand new Italian Greyhound into your home. In that case, you probably want to make sure youre getting them everything they need to live their best life. From getting them the best collar, their favorite toys, best crate, best brush, and best harness, these seemingly simple things can make your Iggys life that much better.

Arguably one of the most important things youll need to get for your Italian Greyhound is high-quality dog food. Every dog is a little different, so ensuring that you get a suitable brand of dog food for Iggys will let them live a happy and healthy life. If you dont know where to start when looking at dog food, youre not alone. Were here to help you learn everything there is to know about what your Iggy needs and how to choose a dog food for yours.

PLAN – PRICE

The Most Important Part Of Feeding Your Dog

The reality is that, for the majority of dogs, choosing between dry kibble or a wet canned diet makes very little difference to their health.

If you are choosing to feed a well established diet or either type then either is fine.

What you should be focusing on is how much you feed your dog and how you feed them.

There is an obesity epidemic sweeping through our pet population, with at least 56% of dogs being classified as overweight or obese.

The simple fact is that the impact of pet obesity is so much higher than that of deciding to feed a kibble or canned dog food. Instead of worrying about this decision, you should:

  • Be clear about your dogs ideal weight – learn to BCS

  • Work out how much to feed – use scales so not over-feeding

Added to this, boredom and a lack of stimulation have a huge impact on the behavior and mental wellbeing of a significant number of pet dogs. Sitting at home all day with nothing to do while the family is out at work or school is no fun at all .

How you feed your dog really can result in a happier as well as healthier individual. So ditch the bowl, and instead opt for a slow feeder, licki mat, snuffle pad, or other food puzzle .

Better yet, pick up a couple of different types and rotate them to keep your dog guessing and their interest levels high.

Worst Dog Food Brands To Avoid In 2021

Unfortunately, not all dog foods are created equal!

Thats why its essential to learn about the worst dog food brands and discover the best dog foods of 2021 to ensure your furry friend is getting the nutrition they deserve.

The list is based on factual data regarding the percentage of all the ingredients used in the various dog foods.

What makes the dog food brands on this list worth avoiding is that they fail to provide many -if any- of those nutrients your dog needs to stay healthy. Instead they use a variety of low-quality ingredients and types of filler.

These can be harmful or unnamed ingredients that make them bad choices.

Don’t Miss: Iams Prescription Dog Food

Dog Kibble Is Customized To Your Dogs Needs:

Tell us your dogs requirements and we are sure there is a formula specially designed for them. For instance, large breed puppies, dogs with a long shiny coat, senior dogs, picky eaters, etc., you can find formulas specifically designed for these dogs.

Every dog is unique and so are their needs. When it comes to your pups food, you need to be extra careful. Your dog may not react well to certain foods.

Sometimes, the symptoms may be obvious like excessive hair fall, lethargy and so on. But other times, the symptoms are not at all obvious. Your dog may always be on the thinner side or your dog may get frequent infections. Good quality dry dog food builds their immune system and allows them to be strong dogs.

Kibble comes in various shapes and sizes. You can easily find one for your dogs specific needs.

Dog Kibble marketed for puppies contains a higher amount of calcium to give them proper bone strength and is gentle on their soft gums. Formulas for older dogs are lower in calories and contains easy-to-digest animal protein to give them the essential amino acids without putting pressure on their hips and paws.

If you want to maintain your dogs luscious coat, you can get formulas rich in omega fatty acids and if you feel they lack energy, you can buy high-calorie kibble.Theres something for everyone here!

Vegetarian Diets For Dogs

Natural Dog Diet

Dogs are omnivores, which means they can eat both meat and plant-based foods. It can be a real moral dilemma if you are vegetarian or vegan as what to feed your dog. There are commercial dog foods available that are vegetarian, but if your dog has special requirements then a vegetarian or vegan diet may not be appropriate for them. Its important that no matter what diet you choose, you have your dogs welfare at the heart of your decision. Speak to vet or vet nurse for advice.

Recommended Reading: Iams Intestinal Plus Canned Dog Food

Blood Tests Dont Lieand Hoochs Numbers Shifted Drastically In Just The First 6 Weeks We Made These Diet And Lifestyle Changes

He noticeably had more energy, was suffering less from inflammation, was shedding less with a more luxurious coat, and for the first time EVER he had zero bloating! NO GAS for the first time in his entire life! The best news though, was that those stage 4 kidney disease blood levels he had at his yearly checkup had climbed back up to to midrange stage 1 kidney disease blood levels! The extra time and energy invested in making his food and the other small changes we made to his lifestyle have given us more quality time with our beloved Hooch which is more than we could have ever hoped for!

If youve made our Easy Homemade Dog Food for your pup I would be so grateful if you would rate the recipe and let me know what you think in the comments below! I just love hearing from you and your reviews and comments really help others that visit This Mess is Ours. Want to be a part of our online community outside of the blog? Its easy!! All you have to do is follow @THISMESSISOURS on , , , , or to see cooking demos, and peeks into our day to day life.

  • Prep Time:30

790 grams cooked organic brown rice

700 grams ground lean beef, cooked through, fat drained

4 hard boiled eggs, peeled and diced small

207 grams carrots, shredded or thinly sliced

14 grams minced curly parsley

22 grams of olive or safflower oil

Human Food For Dogs That Will Not Harm

Have you been wondering Is human food bad for dogs? Although we humans try to keep our dogs on their canine diets, we sometimes just cant resist slipping them an occasional human morsel. If youve been wondering what human food is safe for dogs, you certainly do not want to miss this article.

Lets explore the best human food for dogs that are safe and healthy for our canine friends.

Read Also: Is Iams Dog Food Grain Free

Eliminate Extra Food Items

Not all dogs are walking garbage disposals. Some dogs, just like some people, suffer from sensitive stomachs that are easily irritated or upset. This can be challenging for owners struggling to find a way to make their dogs more comfortable at mealtimes. One possible cause of your dogs sensitive stomach is his diet. Sometimes, finding the best food for dogs with sensitive stomachs can reduce your dogs symptoms and get his GI tract back on track.

Finding out if your dogs food is the issue is easy, although it might require some willpower on your part. Start by eliminating any extra food items from his diet. This includes table scraps, treats, and anything else your dog might enjoy nibbling on throughout the day. You should also check to see if your dog is sneaking into the trash, litter box, or any other forbidden treasure trove of things that make dogs sick. Not only will this help his stomach, it could also save him from a trip to the veterinary emergency room. If your dogs stomach is still upset after a few days without treats and scraps, and you are positive that he is not breaking into the trash while you are away, then it is time to examine the food itself.

Selecting The Best Human

MAKE YOUR DOG’S FOOD BETTER (By Adding These Three Things)

Just like how humans are all a little different, your dog may have unique nutritional needs based on their breed, activity level, weight, and other factors. Some dogs might need to lose a few pounds, others may need a special heart-healthy diet, and others may just be extra picky! Whatever the case may be, Pet Plate can help.

We take quality control and nutritional expertise very seriously, and every batch of food we make is flash-frozen to lock in the freshness. Plus, its formulated by our very own veterinary nutritionist, so you know youre serving the best of the best to your pup.

Also Check: Is Wet Food Bad For Dogs Teeth

Reasons Why Dog Food Is Better Than Homemade Dog Food

It is a common practice for Indian pet parents to give their pooches homemade dog food as opposed to dry dog food . As holistic as it seems, homemade dog food may not always be the best idea. It does not contain all the essential vitamins and minerals needed to sustain your dog.

It is tricky to find the right balance between proteins, vitamins, and minerals. Lacking any of these nutrients can deteriorate your dogs health in the long run.

Many are under the impression that homemade dog food is cheaper than kibble, but that isnt always true. Homemade dog food has a very short shelf life and you need to invest a lot of time to prepare it. Even after giving so much time in the production, you may not give your dog an optimum product.

To provide a nutritionally balanced home-cooked meal, you must add supplements to their meal. If you dont give them the right food, they may have excessive shedding. So, at the end of the day, homemade dog food costs the same if not more.

Buying good quality dog kibble can solve all these issues and have a whole other set of advantages. Keep reading why you should give your pup dry dog food.

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Gentle Giants Canine Nutrition Chicken

Gentle Giants have produced a chicken-based dry budget dog food that is packed with vitamins and minerals. It uses twelve whole fruits and vegetables including beets, tomatoes, blueberries, cranberries, spinach, celery, and apples.

This means that your dog will not only be enjoying a flavor sensation, they will also be absorbing Vitamin A, Vitamin B 12, and Vitamin C from natural sources. These aim to foster good immune health in your dog. We are a little disappointed in this formula’s protein and fat content.

Containing only 22% protein, this food falls below the average amount in this price bracket. Still, this will adequately meet the nutritional needs of your dog and support their muscles and bones.

This formula has been designed for dog’s with sensitive stomachs, so it might be a good idea to try this if your pet is having digestive trouble with standard canine food.

Whilst, it isn’t really competitive with premium foods, Gentle Giants will be more than adequate for pet parents on a tight budget.

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Choosing The Best Dog Food

The best dog food for your dog is ultimately up to you to decide. As an owner, you are the one who sees your dog on a regular basis. If your dog produces firm, healthy stool, is active and fit, and has a healthy appetite, then your dog food is probably working just fine.

Your veterinarian is a valuable resource to you during this process. They know more about pet nutrition than the average owner, and they also have access to research and resources that owners do not have. Your vet can help you narrow down your options and should be more than happy to help you find the answers to your questions about your dogs food.

AKC is a participant in affiliate advertising programs designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to akc.org. If you purchase a product through this article, we may receive a portion of the sale.

A Look At The Numbers

Better Dog Food

The FDA investigated 515 reports of DCM in dogs received between January 1, 2014 and April 30, 2019, finding 560 dogs were affected. Out of the 560 dogs diagnosed with DCM, 119 of them died as a result of DCM .

An enlarged heart is very common in humans, says Dr. Patton, but its relatively uncommon in dogs, so these numbers do seem concerning. Its absolutely something we should keep an open mind about and keep investigating.

Why would a grain-free diet contribute to DCM?

It might not be as simple as grain-free or not grain-free, according to Dr. Patton. The amount of other ingredients of concern complicate the issue.

Don’t Miss: Dr Pol Puppy Food

What Did Our Test Dog Think

Our test dog Archie has been testing fresh foods for some time and he generally loves it. That being said, he wasnt a fan of some of FreshPets products.

We used the Grain-Free Beef and Pumpkin Recipe stew as a meal topper and he seemed to like it well enough, though it wasnt particularly appetizing by human standards.

The FreshPet Select Roasted Meals chicken recipe was much more well-received. It had a strong chicken aroma with visible pieces of chicken as well as preformed nuggets. Archie gobbled the food up with no problems.

Though FreshPets roasted meals and stews went over well, we cant say the same for the Vital Grain-Free Multi-Protein Recipe roll.

According to the feeding recommendations, you should cut the roll into slices then chop the slice into smaller pieces.

The roll looked like a sausage with pieces of carrot and unidentifiable white substance scattered throughout, but it didnt look very appetizing. Archie didnt think so either.

He sniffed the food and sampled it but then looked at me as if he was asking whether he really had to eat it.

Overall, I didnt have a problem with the FreshPet stews and roasted meals, but I cant say I recommend the rolls.

The recommended feeding amount was also concerning. FreshPet recommends about 1 pound of food per day for a dog of Archies size thats half of the 2-pound roll. C

Best Wet: Portland Pet Food Company Human

Whether you have a senior that has lost most of his teeth or a pooch that simply prefers wet food to dry, youll love these all-natural, fully cooked homestyle dog meal pouches. Made from certified human-grade ingredients and USDA-certified meats, this wet food comes in 4 options to satisfy the pickiest of pallets: chicken and yams, beef and rice, turkey and yams, and pork and potato. Not only are these wet dog meals healthy, but they are also quite tasty, making them great supplemental meals, dry food toppers, or a rotational meal. Plus, as they are fully cooked, ready to serve, and packed in practical pouches, these meals make a fantastic go-to option for camping, traveling, and hiking!

Pros

  • Fully cooked and ready to serve
  • Can be used as toppers or supplemental meals

Cons

Check Price

Recommended Reading: Is Iams Dog Food Any Good

Eagle Pack Dry Dog Food

Rating:

Eagle Pack Power Adult is one of 7 dry kibble recipes included in our review of the Eagle Pack product line.

  • First 5 ingredients: Chicken meal, pork meal, ground brown rice, peas, chicken fat
  • Type: Grain-inclusive
  • Other recipes: Puppy, small breed, large and giant breed, lamb, pork and more
  • Price: $
  • See all 7 available recipes

This Eagle Pack recipe derives the bulk of its meat protein from chicken and pork meals. Our dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 33% protein, 21% fat and 38% estimated carbs yielding a fat-to-protein ratio of about 63%.

A superior kibble at an affordable price. Made by the same trusted company that also produces Wellness. Exceptional value. Highly recommended.

Sample buyer reviewShe seems to be shedding much less on Eagle Pack, and her coat condition is much better than it was. She has always been prone to itches and allergies, and she is no longer scratching herself all the time and gnawing the hair off of her paws. Im happy that this is a food that agrees with her. I wonder why I hadnt heard of Eagle Pack earlier, as I feel that it is a great food at a much more affordable price than other popular high-quality brands.

This Wellness Core formula derives the bulk of its animal protein from fresh turkey, as well as turkey and chicken meals. Our dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 38% protein, 18% fat and 36% estimated carbs producing a fat-to-protein ratio of about 47%.

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