Home
>
Pet
>
The Truth About Dog Food

The Truth About Dog Food

These days, it's hard to know what decisions are the best ones for our beloved pets. So much information, so many conflicting theories and opinions! When it comes to dog food, is wetter better? Or should you give dry a try?

In this article, I'm not going to tell you what to feed your dog. That's something that should be decided on by you, and based on the recommendation of your vet. But it helps to know the facts before making a decision, and here are some things you may not have known about what's really in that can of mutt meal or bag of kibble.

1. Dog food was invented to make use of "food waste" that's deemed unfit for humans. Back in the old days, dogs ate the same things that humans ate: meat, vegetables and grains from the family meals. Then came food processing plants, and a set of FDA standards that had to be met for human consumption. When the government realized the amount of grain and meat that was being wasted in these processing plants, they decided to package it in cans and bags and market it as "Dog Food." Advertising did a great job of telling the public, "This is the ideal diet for your dog!"

2. Dogs only live to about half of their life expectancy. Some experts claim that the real lifespan of a canine can be as much as 35 years, yet most dogs don't get past age 17. Dogs are developing the same diseases and ailments as humans: obesity, diabetes, heart trouble, arthritis, and even cancer. Why the failing health? One theory is that dogs who eat processed dog food suffer the same fate as people who subsist on junkfood. Their bodies never get the nutrition that's needed for optimal functioning, so they age prematurely and their bodies "crap out" on them.

3. Most dog food has no nutritional value. Whether you feed your dog wet food or dry food, both wet and dry formulas of "average-priced" brands are based on very low quality standards. If your dog eats meat from a can, he's consuming mostly rendered meat or meat meal, which has been treated in meat processing plants on extremely high heat. To "render" meat is to separate the moisture the solids as well as boil all of the vitamins and nutrients out of it. If he eats kibble, he's getting runoff from the country's biggest cereal mills, which may be slightly better nutritionally, but remember that your dog was born a carnivore. His body does not digest grain easily.

4. Moderately-priced dog food usually contains harmful additives and preservatives. To make up for the lack of taste that comes from overprocessing meat and grain meal, dog food companies added artificial "meat-like" color, flavor and a spray of fat to their secret recipe, not to mention harmful preservatives like BHA and BHT to extend the shelf life. It's these very additives that cause health complications in humans leading to heart disease, diabetes and cancer, not only for humans but for dogs as well.

Make an informed decision on behalf of your dog.

So what are we supposed to do, stop paying for our children's piano lessons so we can afford the added expense of Rover's weekly meat consumption?

Many dog owners choose to feed their furry friends whole foods like beef, chicken, rice and potatoes, in an effort to keep them healthier and around for many more years. Although whole food is always the smarter choice, this may not be a practical consideration for your budget. In which case, it's worth looking into one of the top brands of dog foods such as Iams, Eukaneuba or Hill's Science Diet, for their nutritionally formulated foods that contain the proper amounts of certain vitamins and minerals that are crucial in keeping a dog's body in balance and functioning at peak performance. These foods may be slightly higher priced than the standard economy pack of Ol' Roy... but paying a little extra now can keep the vet bills down later.

Just like anything else in your life, you want to make choices that reflect your own beliefs, financial situation and personal philosophy. It's ultimately up to you to decide what to feed your dog. But it always helps to know the facts first.

Dina Giolitto is a copywriting consultant and ghostwriter with 10 years of experience writing corporate print materials and web content. Trust her with your next e-book, article series or web project, and make a lasting impression on your audience of information-hungry prospects. Visit http://www.wordfeeder.com for more information.

limo prices to midway Crystal Lake west of Randal .. Lockport Chicago limo O’Hare

In The News:

Stay up to date on the latest AI technology advancements and learn about the challenges and opportunities AI presents now and for the future.

The number of people affected by a UnitedHealth data breach in February 2024 was actually higher than previously reported and was the largest medical data breach in U.S. history.

A phishing campaign uses Google Calendar to schedule fake meeting invitations that appear legitimate, redirecting targets to phishing sites.

Toll road text scam: Fake messages claim unpaid fees, seek payment via fraudulent links. Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson says this scam is becoming increasingly sophisticated and widespread.

Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson says these steps ensure that your friends and family get to the exact moment you want them to see. Try it out and streamline your sharing experience.

Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson offers tips on how to protect your identity: Be vigilant, monitor accounts, use smart security, know theft response.

Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson says cybercriminals are exploiting iMessage phishing protection, tricking users to reactivate links.

It's hard to imagine life without in-flight Wi-Fi these days – but sky-high web surfing comes with its own set of privacy concerns. Here's how to protect yourself.

Over 400,000 cases of credit card fraud were reported in 2024 to the Federal Trade Commission. The CyberGuy explains how to protect against becoming another victim.

A nondescript metal box transforms into a fully functional electric motorcycle that blurs the line between vehicle and urban infrastructure.

Many apps unrelated to location still ask users for tracking permission, and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has filed a lawsuit seeking to end this alleged practice by Allstate.

Stay up to date on the latest AI technology advancements and learn about the challenges and opportunities AI presents now and for the future.

Melody, the artificial intelligence-powered robot, is life-sized and represents a move toward creating robots that resemble people in appearance and interaction.

Here are five easy smartphone rules from the National Security Agency that you can follow to better protect your mobile device from hackers and scammers.

A U.S. robotics company has developed "Jennie," a robotic pet powered by artificial intelligence that's designed to comfort those facing mental health challenges.

Healthcare records for more than 184 million Americans were breached in 2024, but you can take steps to minimize that risk. Kurt the CyberGuy explains.

The Skyrider X1 from Rictor claims to be the "first amphibious flying passenger motorcycle," and it combines land and air travel in one sleek design.

Stay up to date on the latest AI technology advancements and learn about the challenges and opportunities AI presents now and for the future.

Home inventory and restoration apps help itemize and track every item in your home in the event you have to make an insurance claim after a natural disaster.

The White House launched a new cybersecurity safety label, the U.S. Cyber Trust Mark, intended to help consumers make informed decisions on smart device safety.

Today's tech can help make life so much easier — if you know how to use it. Here are a few tips on the quickest and best ways to make your phone, laptop and other devices work for you.

Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson offers Windows 11 restart fixes: Update drivers, run system scans and check hardware.

Sony and Honda's Afeela 1 EV launches with advanced tech and entertainment for $89,900. Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson gives his takeaways.

With limited hard drive space, tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson offers these tips for storing large video files and photos.

Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson says the $236,000 Yangwang U9 electric hypercar boasts 1,287 horsepower and can jump obstacles.

The Truth About Dog Food

Pet