Dog Information Is Critical for Better Dog Food Choices
It is very seldom that people give deeper consideration to the kind of dog food they give their dog, let alone the extent to which their ingredients and nutritional value directly influence their dog's health. As such, the common practice is to rely solely on mass-produced dry pellets or canned food, yet many brands are made without any consideration for the nutritional well-being of dogs. So if you truly care for your fuzzy companion, then you should take his health seriously and feed him natural dog food.
Granted, there is much convenience to be had from the dog products from the bigger companies. Food tins are moist and tasty, and when unopened, keep very well in the pantry. Dry pellets on the other hand, can be left out for days in the dog's feeding dish, which means that there is no need to sit and watch the dog finish his food. He or she can merely eat and leave at whim.
With all these conveniences to be had, some would argue that the attention currently being given to pet health by way of natural food is simply a consumer fad, symptomatic of the same culture that has made dogs fashion accessories for so-called nature lovers. However, the truth is that many brands of dog food contain all sorts of unhealthy components unfit for consumption, such as disgusting animal by-products and unhealthy corn gluten.
The lack of attention which dog product manufacturers as well as consumers give towards dog information also impedes our collective ability to ensure the well-being of our canine companions. Because no two dogs have the same physiology, it is critical to have access to dog information from a veterinarian or an animal nutritionist to ensure that your dog is fed the right type of dog products, as various brands use different components that may have varying effects on your dog.
These obstacles can be overcome simply by purchasing dog food from a company that puts a premium on dog information by emphasizing simplicity of product and transparency of manufacturing. A good example of such a company is Honest Kitchen, which attempts to find a realistic place between health and convenience through dog food products made from dehydrated natural ingredients that only require rehydration to serve. They are notable for their track record of comprehensive ingredient reporting which has earned them the approval of consumer and environmental watchdog groups.
Canidae Dog Food, on the other hand, specializes in wholesome meals that have all the storage convenience of both types of dog food, but with all the aesthetic qualities of human grade food. Their products are free of preservatives, hormones, animal by-products and chemical additives. This is further accounted for on their website, which speaks truth to power by listing all the ingredients and components used in their products.
This article attempts to shed light on the lack of attention given to dog health by most dog owners by describing how many dog food companies benefit from a lack of attention to dog information. To that end, consumers have a responsibility to educate themselves on their dog's nutritional needs and support companies such as Honest Kitchen and Canidae Dog Food which recognize the value of consumer knowledge.
Published November 6th, 2009
Filed in Family
