The Truth About Sensitivity to Food in Dogs
The most important decision you will make for your dog's health is the food you choose to feed him or her. Most people do not realise the huge impact the choice of food has. It can literally mean the difference between a lifetime of health problems, getting progressively worse as the dog gets older and a pain-free, happy, energetic dog that lives comfortably into old age (without big vet bills).
Just as with humans, if your dog spends a lifetime only eating "junk" foods, it's simply not going to end up in a healthy physical condition. The difference is, a dog can't tell you if it is starting to get pain or other symptoms. That's why it is vital that you, the owner, take your responsibility for your dog's health very seriously.
But with the vast number of food brands and types available, how do you decide? After all, every single producer tells you theirs is "100% complete nutrition", "natural" and "filled with everything a dog needs."
The only answer is for you, the owner, to look beyond the marketing hype and educate yourself on the only thing that matters: the ingredients.
What is in the food and will it help or harm my dog?
Here are some of the facts about dog food that will help you understand how to prevent allergies and other health problems in dogs.
- Choose a food with a named meat as the main ingredient. Dogs need a diet that is primarily meat. But do you want to know the difference between a high quality food and a cheap supermarket or bulk brand? The amount of meat. Check the labels out yourself and you will see that for a high-quality brand a named meat is first on the ingredients list, whereas in a cheap food meat is way down the list. Ideally you want a food with meat that is both specified (chicken, lamb, fish, etc) and in "meal" (pre-dehydrated) form. This has the highest meat content.Fact: All Pro Pac Ultimates and Earthborn Holistic formulas use a named meat meal is the main ingredient. This ensures a very high content of high-quality meat.
- Avoid "filler" ingredients with low (or no) nutritional value. What good are cereals, grain husks, gluten and other "waste" products for your dog? Virtually no good at all. But check the label of any cheap food and that will be the first (and main) ingredient. You wouldn't eat this stuff (in fact most of these ingredients are classed as "unfit for human consumption") so don't give them to your dog either. It's not doing him any good!Fact: Pro Pac Ultimates and Earthborn Holistic do not contain any "filler" ingredients. All of the ingredients in these foods are of high-quality and chosen specifically for their nutritional value for dogs.
- Avoid ingredients with general and vague names. Do you know what "meat products and fats", "meat meal", "meat by-products", "poultry by-product meal", "bone meal" or "animal by-products" are? All parts of all types of animals (including those not good for a dog to eat) that are "unfit for human consumption". Waste products and cheap to produce - so they end up in cheap dog foods. Fact: Pro Pac Ultimates and Earthborn Holistic contain none of these ingredients. There are NO waste animal products, just high quality meats of the kind that are also fit for human consumption.
- Avoid the main allergy-causing ingredients: wheat, soy, beef, corn and dairy. If your dog is scratching or biting or has a coat in poor condition, check to see if the food you are using contains any of these. They are the main culprits in food-based allergies in dogs. We have seen almost miraculous changes in dogs taken off these ingredients. And if you think your dog is healthy and is eating any of these anyway, try removing them from their diet. You may be surprised at the difference! Fact: Pro Pac Ultimates and Earthborn Holistic contain none of these ingredients. It's why all of our formulas are easy on digestion and help minimise or eliminate allergies.
You've made a big investment in your dog! You want him or her to enjoy life and provide the both of you with great pleasure for years to come. Don't ruin your investment by "saving money" on food. It's going to cost you more in the long run (in vet bills) and be a lot less enjoyable along the way. Give your dog what he deserves, a happy, pain-free life from a healthy food.
Pro Pac Ultimates and Earthborn Holistic are available exclusively in New Zealand from Petfood Direct. There is a full range of formulas to suit every dog age and type. Order (with free delivery nationwide) from www.petfooddirect.co.nz