How Healthy Food for Dogs Helps Them Live Longer

Hello Dog Owner,

Have you ever wondered what it would take to make your dog as healthy as he can be?

• Lots of exercise?


• Routine veterinary visits?


• Love?


• Training?

Yes! Yes! Yes! and Yes! ….But perhaps one of the most important parts is a really healthy food made with dogs in mind. Just like all of us, dogs require certain levels of protein, vitamins, minerals, calories, etc. to maintain proper health. Without this, the dog's health suffers, and in many cases, the dog becomes afflicted will illness, disease, and a shortened life span.

What is healthy food for dogs? This is where it gets trickier and not everyone agrees on what is best for the dog. At the very least, the food you feed your dog should be approved to meet the guidelines established by AAFCO, Association of American Feed Control Officials, Inc.

AAFCO has determined what is necessary for a dog to maintain basic health needs. This non-profit organization helps maintain the health and quality of food while also maintaining safety.

There are only two profiles for dog food established: those for puppies and growth and those for adult dogs and maintenance. There are set guidelines that must be met in order to label a dog food as either version. What you're likely to notice is that there is no regulation of all the 'special' varieties of food you find available today. That means there is often little difference between specially marketed food and the general puppy or adult dog food. Be sure to always read the ingredient label, nutrient profile, and the bag to compare foods.

An all natural dog diet is one that is closer related to what a dog would have eaten had he been given the choice. Normally a manufacturer works to limit certain ingredients in the product so you will often find that the food is free of corn, soybean, and wheat. These have been linked to allergies in dogs, and many people find that these products were highly overused in dog food. In fact, some of the less expensive dog foods are largely these items which leaves little room for the more natural side of the dog!

The more natural dog diets typically consist of higher protein levels and more animal based protein sources. If you look at the ingredient label, the first ingredient should be an animal protein, and there should be several animal proteins in the first ten ingredients. Some all natural dog diets limit all the grains within the dog food; other manufacturers opt to use more nutritious grains like barley or oatmeal instead of corn.

Some of the more recognizable brands include Innova, Wellness, Canidae, Orijen, Blue Buffalo, among others.

Natural selection dog food attempts to give the dogs what they would eat that is most natural for them. Many manufacturers are attempting to offer this through canned or dry food for convenience sake for pet owners. There are others that assert that the most natural selection dog food is raw.

Raw feeding of dogs isn't a new method, but it is a growing method. When we had the pet food scare of several years ago, the pet food industry saw the raw food segment grow. The most common methods:

• Pre-made raw: Many manufacturers pre-grind and produce patties of various meats that are available at the natural pet store or online. These are kept fresh via the freezer, and you only thaw what you need at a serving.


• Do it Yourself: Many pet owners like this option, but it is more time consuming. You will also need to school yourself on the requirements for nutrition as you do need to serve more than a hamburger patty. If you don't provide the proper nutrients, your dog's health will suffer.


• Dry Raw: Sounds like an oxymoron, but several manufacturers have taken the concept of raw but freeze dried it to make it more convenient. You can feed these products in either the dry format or reconstitute it with a little warm water.

The options for healthy dog food treats or organic pet treats have greatly increased in the last ten years. Most of the manufacturers for the high quality foods also make variations of treats. Also, some of the more natural dog food options make excellent treats! Ziwi Peak Daily Cuisine is a good example as their food is tiny bits of jerky which are the perfect size for treats and training.

Organic is not regulated in pet food at all, so you'll have to use your judgment call when purchasing these items. Some products are entirely organic, but you're more likely to find a variety of treats that incorporate some organic ingredients.

There is also a growing business of homemade treats, so you're likely to find many options both online and in the store for homemade treats that are both healthy and often organic.

Holistic dog supplements look at the dog as a series of very interconnected parts. This means that the dog and his health are looked at from multiple perspectives and then a holistic approach to his health is gained through his food, healthcare, supplements, etc.

This a more non-western style of thinking that is becoming increasingly more popular in both human and animal medicine. It looks to correct any imbalances that are found within a body system and recognizes that each part is very much connected and dependent on the other parts.

Holistic dog supplements lack chemicals and are entirely natural. They are based on using all natural ingredients to assist your dog in areas he might be lacking in or to help boost his overall health.

To learn more about holistic pet care and supplements, the best place to start is with American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association. There are also many well written books available to enhance your understanding.

The Dog Lovers' Team
TrainPetDog.com