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We often think of our vets as the best source of dog information, however, this may not always be so. Pet food companies have a strong influence on veterinary school's nuttrition programs and can use these in order to aggresively promote their own brands.

The best thing for a pet owner to do is to learn what their dog needs in terms of nutrition from reliable dog information. This article will discuss, in order, the most important pieces of dog information that every pet owner should know when it comes to feeding their beloved four-legged friends.

Dogs evolved to eat meat, and so, they need a protein source from meat in their food. A quality commercial dog food should contain at least one named meat source, like herring, or chicken, rather than just "meat". Ideally they should be among the first few ingredients. Meal, which is ground up animal parts os okay - our pets need these minerals. However, animal by-products are not well regulated and can contain factory waste and meat from dying, diseased animals. This ingredient should generally be avoided.

Some amount of carbohydrates is required in a balanced canine diet, and rice, potatoes and many vegetables are good sources of these. However, dogs do not need grains like corn, wheat gluten and these may cause more problems than they are worth. Allergies and obesity are often attributed to corn and wheat products in dog food.

Labels like premium and human grade may not mean much, as these labels are not highly regulated. Organic food should be raised without any chemical products and genetic modification, and eating these foods means we introduce fewer harmful chemicals into our bodies. Organic dog food should offer our pets the same benefits.

Raw feeding is also becoming more popular among pet owners who want to replicate their dogs natural diet in the wild. A wealth of dog information can be found about raw diets, which can also be more cost-effective for the pet owner. There is also the option of home made dog food, which, while more time consuming, is also cheaper than commercial food, and a good way to know exactly what your favorite pooch is eating.