Grain In Dog Food Good Or Bad
There is a lot of debate surrounding grain in dog food whether it is good or bad. Some believe that grain is beneficial for dogs, as it provides them with essential nutrients and fiber. Others argue that grain is unnecessary and can even be harmful to dogs, as it can cause allergies and digestive problems. Ultimately, it is up to the owner to decide whether or not to feed their dog food with grain.
Its More Nutritious And Healthier Than Kibble
If your dog seems to have a hard time digesting kibble, it may be time to consider an alternative. In many cases, gently-processed dehydrated food is often easier for dogs to digest because it doesnt contain the artificial preservatives, by-products, fillers, and other ingredients that often give dogs with sensitive stomachs a hard time. And unfortunately, these ingredients are found in many mainstream kibbles.
Likewise, dehydrated food is able to meet the protein needs of most dogs much more efficiently than heavily processed food. Many pets require a high-protein diet thats difficult to meet feeding only kibble. Dehydrated dog food has a greater concentration of the protein sources that your dog needs at all life stages. Dehydrated dog food is often the best way to give your pup lean and healthy protein.
And unlike kibble, even pickier dogs love it and tend to have an easy time transitioning from dry food to dehydrated food. If your dog is a finicky eater and needs to gain weight, dehydrated food may be able to help them consume more calories and have a more balanced diet.
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Pros And Cons Of Whole Paws Dog Food From Whole Foods
Benefits of Whole Paws
- Humane certified. The humane certified labek means that the animals used for ingredients were raised in accordance with strict animal welfare guidelines. These guidelines include things like providing the animals with ample space to roam, access to fresh air and sunlight, and more. This is the certification we should all be looking for on our food, and the fact that Whole Foods is doing right by their dog food in this sense is huge. Just look for the label as it seems like only the darker-colored packing has the certification, at least for now.
- No antibiotics or growth hormones. We certainly dont want growth hormones or antibiotics in our dogs food, so this is a good one to see.
- No corn or soy. Corn and soy are largely considered dog food fillers, and they are lacking in nutritional value compared to grains like sorghum and oats.
- Convenient. Whole Paws is available right down the street at Whole Foods it doesnt get any easier than that!
- Added probiotics and fatty acids. Whole Paws food is fortified with probiotics and omega fatty acids for better digestion, skin, and coat health.
- No animal by-products. Labeled animal byproducts arent the worst thing in the world, but most owners arent a fan of them, and Whole Paws doesnt have any. Whole Paws dog food also contains no artificial colors, no artificial preservatives, and no added sugar.
Cons of Whole Paws
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Average Dog Food Price Per Pound
In the 2018 Dry Dog Food Review, weve listed a number of companies that make good- to great-quality foods. For the first time ever, weve ordered the dry dog food companies by the average price of their products so you could compare their features with similarly priced foods.
Heres how we came up with the figures we used for the average sales price:
We collected prices for kibble from online retailers and from the companies themselves, asking for their suggested retail prices for the largest-sized bags of their foods . We calculated the price per pound of each variety of food . Then we calculated the average price per pound of food for each company, using the figures from each food in each line.
Keep in mind that an average means there are foods that cost more and some that cost less than the average. The company average price per pound will accurately represent those companies whose product lines are priced similarly, but it less accurately represents companies who have widely disparate lines of food.
Consider, for example, the three lines of food that Petcurean sells in the United States. Products from its most expensive line, Gather, sell for $4.99 per pound. Its Now Fresh foods sell for an average of $3.21 per pound, and its Go! foods sell for an average of $2.94 per pound. The company average is $3.71 per pound.
Best Overall: Trudog Freeze
Your dog is sure to enjoy the taste of TruDog Freeze-Dried Dog Food, our choice for the #1 Best Overall freeze-dried dog food. There are four different flavor options , and each flavor uses 100% meat in the recipe and does not include any fillers or preservatives.
This all-meat raw food is easy on a dogs digestive system. As a filler-free food, it is also a good option if your dog is allergic to ingredients founds in many other foods. Most dogs love the taste of this all-natural food, and you can feel confident knowing youre feeding your dog beneficial ingredients that will help them stay healthy.
The two main drawbacks of this food are that some dogs refuse to eat it and its expensive.
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Bad Ingredients Found In Dry Dog Food
There are also some things to look out for undesirable attributes that indicate a lower-quality food:
Meat by-products, poultry by-products, meat by-product meal, and poultry by-product meal
Many of the animal tissues that are defined as animal by-products are nutritious, but may be handled indifferently.
Generic fat sources
Animal fat can literally be any mixed fat of animal origin. Poultry fat is not quite as suspect as animal fat, but chicken fat or duck fat is better .
Ingredient splitting
Watch out for a practice commonly called ingredient splitting, whereby two or more very similar food fractions appear on the ingredients list. Because the ingredients are listed in descending order of their weight, a manufacturer can make it appear that a higher-quality ingredient is represented in the food in a higher amount than it really is. This is accomplished by using several fractions or versions of an ingredient as separate ingredients . If all the iterations of that ingredient were combined or reconstituted, they would outweigh the higher-quality ingredient, pushing it down on the ingredients list.
Plasma and blood
We dont recommend foods that use animal plasma or blood meal as a protein source.
Added sweeteners
Dogs, like humans, enjoy the taste of sweet foods. Sweeteners effectively persuade many dogs to eat foods comprised mainly of grain fragments .
Other Additives
What Are The Risks Of Raw Food Diets For Dogs
Pet owners should be aware that there can be some risks associated with raw foods:
- Health Issues. Raw dog foods can offer threats to human and dog health. This is because of harmful bacteria that are found in raw meat.
- Unbalanced Diet. An unbalanced diet may damage the health of dogs, especially if it is given for an extended period. Pet parents should be careful that the diet should contain all the required nutrients.
- Bone Hazards. There is a potential for whole bones to choke your dog, break their teeth, or even cause an internal puncture which could be fatal.
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Do Not Touch A Service Dog Without Permission From The Owner
Like other dogs, service dogs love scratches and pats. However, this destruction can prevent the dog from serving or caring for the owner.
Therefore, you should avoid touching the dog without permission from the owner. If you are inside a shopping store with your kid, make sure that they do not get close to the dog.
Grain: The Debate On Whether Or Not It Causes Gas In Dogs
Does corn cause gas in dogs? Dogs may develop gas if they consume grains, but this is a question that has been debated for some time. Experts generally agree that if your dog is experiencing gas symptoms, it could be due to something else, such as an ingredient intolerance in the food you feed him. If your dog is generally healthy and is handling the food well, adding a small amount of grain to his diet may not be a problem.
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It Delivers The Best Nutrition Possible
Cats and dogs thrive in the wild on a natural diet. Obviously, it wonât be cooked food.
This is the best diet because it delivers the utmost nutrition to felines and canines to chase, hunt, and eat their prey.
If the raw diet can provide the nutrition to thrive in the wild, your indoor pets will obviously get the optimum nutrition from the food.
Also, premium freeze-dried raw cat food from popular brands like Dr. Marty Pets and Ultimate Pet Nutrition.
They prepare their pet food formula with fresh, all-natural, and even exotic ingredients.
Such a blend is more complete, balanced, and wholesome for pets. So itâs actually better food than what dogs and cats get to eat in the wild.
On the other hand, industrially processed kibbles are tailored by mixing different ingredients and cooking them.
Well, this disrupts the natural ratio of macro and micronutrients present in the food.
However, it doesnât mean that those kibbles are not palatable.
All brands have to conform to the AAFCO guidelines of the minimum levels of nutrients available in the food.
But thatâs still far from the nutritiousness of the raw food or freeze-dried raw food.
Make An Informed Decision
Overall, there are advantages and disadvantages to feeding your dog either dry food or raw food. With either option, you need to make sure your dog is receiving the perfect balance of nutrition from all desired food groups. I would recommend discussing your chosen food with a pet nutritionist, to be certain of its benefits to your dogs health. You could also choose to research your dogs diet on All About Dog Food, a leading independent dog food rating website.
Although some food choices may cost more than others, quality food makes up for this in the nourishment they provide for your dog. There are many benefits to raw feeding its time to move forward from the dry kibble lifestyle. My mission for my own dogs is to do everything I can to make them happy and healthy, and I want to share that with you too.
Ready to change up your dogs diet to raw? Read my beginners guide to raw food for dogs.
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Tiki Dog Whole Foods Variety Pack Adult Dog Food
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Eicosapentaenoic & Docosahexaenoic Acid
In addition to ALA, the NRC lists dietary requirements for EPA and DHA as essential omega-3 fatty acids. Many raw diets are deficient in EPA/DHA and use commercially farmed meats. These meats provide high levels of omega 6 fatty acids and little to no omega 3 fatty acids. This imbalance of omega 6 to omega 3 fatty acids can cause inflammation throughout the body. The addition of EPA and DHA to a raw diet helps correct this imbalance and meet recommended allowances for these two essential fatty acids.
Recommended Allowance of EPA+DHA per 1000kcal:
Adult Dog
Puppy
130mg Recommended Allowance
EPA and DHA are found primarily fatty fish and shellfish. The inclusion of fatty fish, fish oil, or krill oil in a raw diet are excellent whole foods to fulfill these requirements. Ideal fish options include salmon, sardines, mackerel, and herring since they also provide Vitamin D. Below are EPA and DHA values in various fish per 1oz :
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Can Dogs Get Sick From Freeze
Yes, freeze-dried dog food can make dogs sick.
Here are some of the cases in which freeze-dried formulas can make dogs sick:
- Inappropriate Storage & Serving. If the food is not properly stored or prepared, it can make dogs sick. This is because freeze-dried recipes are minimally processed and can go bad if left outside for longer.
- Sudden Food Introduction. Because of the high nutrient density, freeze-dried food can cause stomach upset in dogs used to eating regular kibble. To avoid this, switch your dog to freeze-dried food gradually.
Weighing Up The Pros And Cons Of Kibble
There are advantages and disadvantages to feeding your dog a kibble diet.
Kibble generally comes at a low cost, with no preparation required. It can be stored at room temperature with a low risk of salmonella, due to the extreme heat used in the extrusion process. It can be bought in bulk and is usually suitable for all dogs life stages.
Despite these conveniences, unfortunately, most manufacturers display a lack of quality ingredients and use grains, cereals, soya and other cheap derivatives. These filler ingredients may cause bloating, loose stools, and some are even known carcinogens.
Kibble also typically has a low shelf life of around one year. It can become stale and bland if the bag is left unsealed.
There are a number of independent kibble brands that produce a top quality product, with great care and consideration. There are many more that care little about our dogs health and wellbeing, compromising nutritional value for profit. Larger corporations have even been known to subsidise veterinarian training or offer commission to recommend their food in veterinary practices. In the pet food industry, this is essentially buying a Vet-approved sticker.
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Brave Lamb Grain And Poultry Free Dog Food
We dont have any additional info for this product just yet. Check back as were continually adding info about our products.
Prices and availability are subject to change without notice. Offers are specific to store listed above and limited to in-store. Promotions, discounts, and offers available in stores may not be available for online orders. The information provided on this website, including special diets and nutritional information, is for reference purposes and not intended as medical or healthcare information or advice. Actual product packaging and materials may contain more and/or different information than shown on our website. You should not rely solely on the information presented here and you should always read labels, warnings, and directions before using or consuming a product. The information provided on this website should not be relied upon to make health-related decisions.
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Who Should Use Raw Foods
Raw foods are an option for dog owners who want to give their pups fresh food with minimal processing. Raw foods are made with fresh, raw ingredients that have not been cooked or processed in any way. This helps to preserve all of the nutrients and enzymes in the food. Raw foods can be a bit messier and more time consuming to prepare, but they may be worth the effort for you.
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Approach The Owner But Not The Dog
A service dog and its owner are considered an equal team. However, approach the handler first if you want to communicate or speak to them.
Do not distract the dog because depending on the disability, the life of the owner could depend on the dog being focused on its job.
It can be hard to keep their handlers safe when other people are waving, standing in the way, or making weird sounds.
It Promotes Superior Joint And Bone Health
Regardless of your involvement in your dogs diet, if you feed him raw food, you automate his joint and bone health. Meat intake has a direct correlation with joint and bone health in dogs.
Technically raw food can feature just veggies, so this benefit is contingent on the amount of meat in the dogs diet.
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What To Search For In The Finest Diet Dog Foods For Weight Loss
How to Cause Your Dog to Shed Pounds
Fortunately, it is a LOT simpler to make your dog lose weight than it is for you to drop a few pounds. You have total control over your dog’s nutrition and activity, so here are some weight loss recommendations for your pet:
Exercise
Obese dog playing fetch with a ballEncouraging your pet to exercise more is an obvious technique to assist your fat dog shed weight.
Don’t worry if you haven’t gotten around to teaching your dog to walk on a treadmill or ride a skateboard.
Simple, daily activity such as running, fetching, or even simply laying around in the yard for a bit longer without a leash burns more calories.
Playing activities with your dog, such as Frisbee or even tossing a tennis ball, can help you achieve your weight reduction goals while having fun. Additionally, it helps you burn off the Oreos you weren’t eating when you weren’t binge-watching Netflix.
You may also provide some light weight to your obese puppy as it walks or runs by utilizing a bag containing tiny weights, water bottles, or even pet food packages.