For most people, their choice of dog food depends on whether or not they want to have an empty wallet after they feed their dog. Certainly, it works out wonderfully to go to a local Wal-Mart or pet shop and purchase the least-expensive food on the market. The bag is visually appealing, the dog on the front looks happy, and there are bullet points on the bag saying things like “High-Quality Protein” and “Whole Grains” or even “Balanced and Nutritious”.
The food that dogs eat matters greatly when it comes to their appearance, health, energy, and general well being. In all common sense, if the whole body is functioning on less than satisfactory nutrition, there are consequences. The marketing committees that are designing bags for cheap dog food in order to convince you that it is healthy for the entire life of your pet should pat themselves on the backs and take a rewarding vacation. One of the most best selling dog foods on the market has an appealing design on the bag with phrases like “Total Care Nutrition” and “23 Vitamins and Minerals” and pictures of happy dogs with their owners. Indeed, “Complete and Balanced” certainly sounds like you are feeding your dog the right stuff, doesn’t it? They also have adorable commercials that can convince almost anyone that this cheap line of dog food is the best option for your dog and your wallet. On the contrary, the ingredients label, if you know how to read it, will usually tell you otherwise.
In this particular case, the first ingredient is whole grain corn. This is an inexpensive cereal grain that can fill stomachs, but has minimal nutrition. Compared to other grains, corn also has a higher glycemic index. And while corn itself is not known to cause many allergies, the quality of the corn is often questioned. It is not uncommon to find “storage mites, their droppings, and expired carcasses in bulk lots of feed grains. And all of these are known to be notable canine allergens” (dogfoodadvisor.com). In addition, corn is not easily digestible, and is mostly a carbohydrate that does not provide as much energy as protein from meat.
The second ingredient is meat and bone meal. According to the Association of American Feed Control Officials, meat and bone meal is a dry “rendered product from mammal tissues, including bone, exclusive of any added blood, hair, hoof, horn, hide trimmings, manure, stomach and rumen contents.” Is this is where your dog is getting its nutrition?
So what does spending more money on higher quality foods do for your dog? After all, if you are feeding your dog a low-quality food, you may not see any obvious signs of unsatisfactory nutrition and you may think that your dog is doing fine. However, dog owners who switch to a better food have testified that—within a few weeks—their dogs:
And in the long term, good nutrition promotes a longer life with healthier organs and joints.
Unfortunately, it takes a lot of time and research to determine what foods are healthy for your dog. The information and mixed reviews plastered all over the Internet can be confusing to sift through and prices are not accurate guides to quality level. Our personal recommendations are as follows:
To learn more or to choose a different brand, a good source for unbiased research and comparison is the Dog Food Advisor.
