| When choosing a dog food for your best friend, | | | | cancer in dogs. |
| there are a number of considerations to keep in | | | | • Check the label for the AAFCO |
| mind. | | | | guarantee. The Association of American Feed |
| Here's 7 Tips for Choosing the Right Dog Food | | | | Control Officials works to insure uniform |
| for your dog | | | | standards for dog food nationwide. |
| • You should select a super premium or | | | | • Check the expiration date. Some |
| holistic dog food that is nutrient rich and has | | | | manufacturers make these dates hard to read, |
| human grade ingredients. This means that the dog | | | | When in doubt ask the retailer to point out the |
| food is made up of food that is fit for human | | | | date to you. |
| consumption. Most dog food is not. These dog | | | | • Consider making your own homemade |
| food brands will include necessary protein, | | | | dog food. This is an increasingly popular way |
| vitamins, minerals and fatty acids. They are also | | | | assure a healthy and nutritious diet for your dog. |
| made without the toxins and additives that can | | | | A couple of options for homemade dog food |
| be harmful to your dog's health. | | | | include: The Bones and Raw Food Diet also known |
| • Meat should be the first ingredient as | | | | as BARF and vegetarian dog food diets. You can |
| this is the primary ingredient in the bag or can. | | | | learn more about these diets at |
| Meat by products, and other nebulously described | | | | If you have any questions about the quality of |
| ingredients, when listed as a primary ingredient | | | | your dog food you should consult with a holistic |
| should be your cue to pass on this dog food. | | | | veterinarian. Holistic vets are much more in tune |
| • Secondary ingredients should be | | | | to the benefits of a natural and nutritious diet |
| vegetables and rice. Once again, be wary of any | | | | than many mainstream veterinarians who have |
| by product, meal or odd sounding term. If you | | | | had minimal training in this area while in veterinary |
| don't know what it is, it's probably not something | | | | school |
| you would want your dog to eat. | | | | This is not a jab at vets. Anyone who has |
| • Preservatives such as BHA, butylated | | | | dedicated their life to healing and saving animals |
| hydroxyanisole and BHT, butylated | | | | deserves our support. It is simply an observation |
| hydroxytoluene are used some dog food | | | | of which type of vet is the best resource in the |
| manufacturers including one that is a favorite of | | | | all important area of canine nutrition and picking |
| many veterinarians The problem with these | | | | the best food for your dog. |
| preservatives according to some dog nutrition | | | | My small 8 year old dog suddenly became ill and |
| experts is that these chemicals may be | | | | no vet could determine the cause. She died after |
| carcinogenic. Vitamin E & Vitamin C are natural | | | | enduring 2 weeks of pain and misery on Mother's |
| preservatives and healthier for your dog. Vitamin | | | | Day morning. Her life expectancy was 25 years. |
| C is also a powerful antioxidant that fights the | | | | Don't let anything happen to your best friend. |
| formation of free radicals and the onset of | | | | |