Factors in Choosing a High Protein Dog Food

A lot of dog owners think that dog food with the highest protein content is best for any kind of dog. This belief is, however, mistaken. Just because you are looking at a high protein dog food doesn't mean it is the one your dog needs. You have to be aware that proteins are not created equally and other nutrients are needed for the overall health of your pet dog.
Proteins are not created equal in the sense that there are several sources to obtain them from. You can get them from real meat as well as in grains. However, the proteins obtained from these sources are very much different in terms of usability and digestibility.

Proteins from real meat are easily digestible by your dog and allow them to eat small quantities that will give them the protein level that they need. On the other hand, the proteins obtained from grains aren't easily broken down by your dog's system. It is very impractical to buy a high protein pet food with grains as the main source because it will still end up unused by your dog's body.

When choosing a pet food, go beyond looking at the protein content. Instead, look at the source and quality being offered. Choose one that is easily digested and usable. Examples of these protein sources are meat, eggs, and fish. Feeding your pet with high quality protein will allow your dog to eat a lesser but more nutritious amount of food.

Another reason why you shouldn't use the protein content level as an indicator in choosing your pet food is because its requirements for different life stages and breeds vary. Older dogs will require less protein than adult dogs. In the same way, adult dogs will require lesser proteins than new puppies. Knowing the amount of protein to give your dog is beneficial because if you give him more than what he needs, it will be converted to fat.

Proteins are definitely needed in a food for dogs, but other nutrients have to be present as well to give optimum nutrition to your dog. Vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates, fats, and calories must be present in appropriate levels so your pet will have a balanced diet and can utilize the proteins in the pet food.

In buying a high protein dog food, be sure to evaluate the protein content in it. Determine if the protein source used for the dog food is easily digestible and usable for your pet. Then, look at how much protein is found in the food. It doesn't necessarily mean that the food with a high amount of protein is beneficial for your dog. Look at the quality of proteins in the dog food and decide accordingly.

How to Eliminate Dog Food Allergies

Dog food allergies can affect dogs in a number of ways. They account for around ten percent of the allergies that typically affect dogs. Right after allergies from allergies from flea bites and inhalant allergies, it is the third most problematic. Allergies account for around twenty per cent of the itching and scratching on dogs.

The reason why dogs become sensitive to certain food agents is not really understood. But diagnosis and treatment is understood and is available. Many dogs that have dog food allergies also have contact and inhalant allergies. Sometimes a dog may not have a food allergy but food intolerance. A food intolerance results in diarrhea or vomiting which is not the normal allergic reaction. The good thing is that eliminating the food will solve the problem. Normal dog bowel movements are key.
The ingredients that normally cause allergies are dairy products, chicken, fish, chicken eggs, soy wheat, corn and beef. Of course, these are also the most common foods of dogs. Symptoms of food allergies are normally itchy skin around the anus, armpit, face, feet, forelegs, and ears. Other symptoms include reoccurring or chronic hair loss, excessive scratching, hot spots and skin infections that seem to go away for a time after the dog has taken antibiotics but the return. Sometimes dogs that have allergies have more bowel movements. For instance, a normal dog has about one and a half bowel movements per day while a dog that has allergies can have three or more allergies a day.

Diagnosing food allergies is fairly straightforward. The only problem is that food allergy symptoms are similar to more difficulties that dog food allergies. Flea bit allergies, yeast, bacterial infections or sarcoptic mange are just a few of the problems that can cause symptoms that are the same as dog food allergies. If these problems have been ruled out, a food trial can then be started.A novel food source it introduced in a food trial. A novel food is defined as a protein or carbohydrate that the dog has never before, for twelve weeks or longer. Some ideas would be rice, potato, venison or rabbit. There are also commercial foods on the market. This is all the dog will have for at least twelve weeks. That means no treats, not chew bones, or anything extra. Just the basic diet is given.

A Guide to Dog Food

Dog food is the animal or plant material that is used for consumption by dogs or canines. Dog treats are the special type of foods that are given as a reward to the pet, and not as a regular diet. Many people buy the readymade food, but few prefer to make their own food as per the pet's individual requirement, and using best quality ingredients. Best diet for dogs has always been a controversial topic. Some people argue that dogs have been thriving on scraps and leftovers from their masters for several years, others feel that commercial food is the best choice, and few believe that commercial foods contain additives, poor-quality meats and many other ingredients that pets should not ingest, and hence they must be fed the most natural diet.

Commercial Dog Food
Most of the pet foods available in the market are either in a dry form, known as kibble, or in the wet form. Dry food is more convenient for the owners, is much cheaper, and can be left out for several days. Canned food becomes unappetizing after few hours, but it has a longer shelf life, and it also contains more fat and protein as compared to dry food.
These days, many types of dog foods are available in the market, and some of the common alternative foods include frozen, dehydrated, fresh and homemade foods. Freeze-dried or frozen food comes in cooked or raw form. It skips the processing stage, hence preserving the nutritional integrity.

Refrigerated or fresh food is produced through the pasteurization of fresh ingredients. After slightly cooking, the products are quickly sealed in the vacuum package, and refrigerated till served. Homemade food usually comes in the bucket type package, and is preferred by many dog owners for their pets. These diets contain raw or cooked meat, pureed vegetables, ground bone, multivitamin supplements and taurine supplements. Some of these foods use the vitamins specifically engineered for dogs, and other use the human vitamin supplements.

Most of the commercial dog foods contain the materials that are considered undesirable or unusable by some authorities and dog owners. Some of these ingredients include grain by-products, meat-and-bone meals, horse meat and so on. Cheaper canine foods usually have less meat, and more grain fillers and animal by-products.

There are also special dog foods that are formulated for the dogs allergic to common ingredients such as wheat, corn or chicken. These foods have substitute uncommon starches and novel proteins.
Many people believe that animals living in the wild eat the natural diet, and such diet is most ideally suited for them. These pet owners are usually opposed to the commercial pet foods, and try to mimic the natural diet for their canines.

Contact Details:
Pet Food Patrol
California, USA
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