Best Dog Food

Everyone would like to feed their dog the best dog food. With so many dog food products on the market and conflicting information on diet, nutrition, and dog health, it is easy to get overwhelmed and confused. The best thing for people, dogs, cats, and all other animals to eat is real food. Many people are under the assumption that dogs are supposed to eat “dog food” meaning kibble or canned food, but “dog food” is an invention of man, created for convenience. Real food can consist of a cooked or raw diet, and experts disagree on which is truly healthiest. In reality, most people lack the time, knowledge, or confidence to prepare meals for their dogs but still want to give their dogs the best possible food.

Slideshow:Top 10 Dog Foods

For those who can afford the very best dog food, there are real food diets sold for dogs. Real food for dogs can be purchased in prepackaged meals, combined to provide nutritional balance, or in separate dishes so that diets can be customized to provide optimum nutrition for individual dogs with individual needs. Real food is usually raw and comes frozen or freeze dried. Prepackaged meals can be as good as or better than home-prepared food, because they are formulated to meet canine nutritional needs, and they are usually made from all natural or organic ingredients. While this is the best dog food option, the price can be daunting. Good nutrition is the foundation for good health, and in the long run, feeding the best food will mean lower veterinary bills. However, for many people prepackaged real food for dogs is truly unaffordable. In that case. it is best to prepare meals at home or go with good kibble or canned food

Good quality kibble and canned food is available. Even those who feed their dogs only real food should keep some on hand for emergencies and travel. The best dog food is made with real, whole, recognizable ingredients. Avoid foods that include by-products. Specific meats or meat meal (a concentrated source of highly digestible protein) should be the main ingredient, not just listed generically as “meat”. There are a variety of good meats including beef, chicken, turkey, duck, lamb, bison, pheasant, salmon and venison. The best dog food also includes a variety of vegetables and sometimes fruits. Grains, if present at all, should be low on the list of ingredients. Other nutritional supplements and probiotics are often added to dog food. A reputable dog food company will provide an explanation for each supplement and how it benefits dogs. Probiotics aid in digestion. Preservatives are the most important thing to watch out for. Any preservatives should be natural, such as (vitamin E) and ascorbic acid (vitamin C). Some kibble will not have any preservatives, and the best kibble is packaged in a vacuum sealed foil bag.

The best dog food is not found at the grocery store. Natural food stores, veterinary offices, and feed stores often carry excellent dog food. However, dog owners should always do some research before purchasing any brand of dog food. The mere fact that it comes from a veterinarian office or natural food store does not mean it is a high quality food, and feed stores often carry some of the lowest quality dog food available right along side of the best. A good dog food manufacturer will be forthcoming with information about their food and always welcomes inquires from customers.

Nature’s Variety offers frozen and freeze dried raw food, canned food, and kibble. Their raw and canned foods consist of 95% meat and 5% sprouts, fruits, vegetables, and salmon oil. All forms come in a variety of meat choices including beef, duck, venison, and more.

Steve’s Real Food offers raw diets, both frozen and freeze dried. The food is in the form of nuggets and comes in chicken, turkey, or beef blends.

Wysong carries a large selection of healthy products for people and animals. Customers are invited to visit their plant. Their dog food is available in single meats and blended diets formulated for age and lifestyle. Wysong dog food is available in kibble and canned food. They even carry vegan kibble.

Solid Gold Northwest has been in business since 1974 and claims to be the first natural dog food company in the United States. They offer frozen raw diets, canned food, and a large variety of kibble. In addition to wholesome meats and non-allergenic grains, their kibble includes ingredients such as garlic for good heart health and parasite reduction, blueberries for the eyes, bladder, and kidneys, and yucca for bones and joints.

Dr. Harveys.com Maker of all natural products for dogs, cats and birds. Founded by Dr. Harvey Cohen, pioneer in the feeding of all natural,preservative free, non commercial foods for companion animals. This company uses only human consumption ingredients. The website is filled with information that is helpful for those of us who want to protect our companions and feed only the best food, treats and supplements.

Want to discuss dog health or share a recommondation on a great dog food not mentioned here? Visit the LTK Dog Forum: Health and Fitness.

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