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Dog Food News

After years of allergies and stomach issues, our 10 year old keeshond has been successfully seeing good results from her symptoms and I am excited to share this great dog food news.  We have tried the following brands for her, and found that they were helpful with some symptoms, but not all at the same time.  Her trial brands were and are not limited to:

  • Addiction Dog Food
  • Chicken Soup for the Dog Lover’s Soul
  • Whole Earth Farms
  • Eagle Pack Dog Food
  • Halo Dog Food
  • Avoderm Natural Dog Food
  • Sojos Complete
  • Blue Buffalo Wilderness
  • Merrick Grain Free Dog Food
  • Evanger’s Dog Food
  • Holistic Blend Grain Free
  • Innova Nature’s Table
  • Nature’s Variety Prairie
  • Solid Gold
  • Dog Lovers Gold
  • Wellness Complete
  • Orijen Freeze Dried
  • Homemade chicken and veggies
  • Raw chicken and lamb patty
  • Raw beef and veal patty
  • Natural Balance Alpha

So many years, so much disappointment, so much searching and really, all I was looking for was good Dog Food News!  The issue never was resolved, and I have to say, the health of my dog has often been in peril, and lately, I had to begin my quest of finding a new dog food, once again.  The dog food news I have to give you is my personal adventure into learning about canine nutrition, and our own story.  No one dog food is THE choice for every dog, but I have to say, with the people that I have recently met, I am closer to finding THE food of Choice.

History of Dog Food News Search

Before I begin to drill down into this story, will you permit me to describe her symptoms?  The most alarming symptom was just about a year ago, where she would vomit all her food up, and then fall down in a fit of paralysis.  This was so convincing to be a sign of a seizure, that we did many, many tests, for all results to come back negative.  The blood work came back negative and put us as a loss.  The many changes we patiently tried, with many special vet visits, and all the while, the issue of the vomiting was very scary.  Two months ago, our doctor recommended another dog food change, and this time, it went into intense diarrhea and an intense sickness of vomiting.  This change to a simple lamb and rice food, with incremental additions into her old food, created a position of dire health concerns.  We went back to her standing food, Natural Balance Alpha Trout and Salmon, which works ok for her skin allergies, but not for her stomach.  The problem has been drilled down to her food.

We tried to Find Good Dog Food News With Many Phases

And, so many years of careful trials, were passed, to help her with her skin allergies.  It was clearly her food!  She was so itchy one summer, that all the fur on her back leg was scratched off, and she was a bald dog.  She has had many different simple and careful dog food changes, and dog food bowls too.  We have fed her in a bright green bowl that gave her a slower cadence to her dog food eating.

Scarlett Eats Slowly With Her New Dog Food Bowl

We bought dog food cookbooks, baked squash and chicken for her dinners, and then froze them, to be reheated.  We always added a protein to her food, thinking that that would be good for her immune system, or her ongoing issues with her digestion.  We fed her more times each day, hiring a helper during busy days.  No good results!  The good dog food news was never coming.  I really was at my wits end!  We had to find a solution, and we finally hit the jackpot.  The days of trial and error are now over, I am so happy to report- I have good dog food news !

Dog Food News – We have to Go Vegan!

Why would you ever want a canine to go vegan?  Well, let me tell you my friends; veggies offer great vitamins and minerals, and there are healthy proteins that won’t produce horrible side effects.  The vegans have figured this out, with a philosophy and belief of non violence.  Dogs deserve the best, and the greatest gift you can give to your dog is health.  And, with all the chemicals, processing, and dire proteins like sick and young creatures, and less than healthy protein options, you are never going to find a protein based dog food that will help with your dog’s toxic reactions.   Go read the labels, and you will see a myriad of confusing ingredients.  If it is not for human use, how do you know that they use quality cuts of meat?  They say they do, but I have never had good results from any of these vendors.  My only choice left, was to keep following the information, and finally I found the right choice.

Evolution is The Great Dog Food News

I happened to get a clipping from my husband, who was reading the paper, and found this ad:

001When you read it, it seems like fools gold.  But, with a gentle nudge from my sick dog, I tried the phone number, ordered the food, and visited the store.  We are in heaven now.  Great dog food news is that her symptoms are slowing.  She loves the food.  It is healthy for her, and she is finally sleeping through the night like she did when she was a puppy.  Shame on all those greedy dog food vendors of late…why it took me so long to find the solution is simple:  there is so much misinformation out there.  You may think this is the same thing as other dog food choices, but really, there are no chemicals or preservatives that will toxic or affect your best friend.  When I thought about it, I was ensuring that the single protein I was feeding her was valid for her nutritional needs, but it really was not offering a solution to keep her diet clear of immune issues.  As her body accepted this new food, she reacted with more skin symptoms, and I knew I was on the right path.  When a dog is in a state of nutritional inadequacy, the body will store many toxins in cells, so that the liver can cleanse what it is daily limit is capable of removing.  Over time, the issue becomes even more dangerous, and cancer, hormone issues, bone deficiencies,  and joint and skin problems erupt.  She will most likely seem sicker in the near term, with her allergies, as her cells feel compelled to release the toxins they have stored for so many years.

Our greatest pleasure is now the fact that she is enjoying dinner, and that she has not thrown up with every meal.  We had to limit her portions with Evolution, as it will expand greatly in water, and in effect cause an uncomfortable belly fullness with a dry meal.  We have taken to moistening her food with just as much water as food in a bowl, placed in the fridge.  When we are feeding breakfast or dinner, we simply pull out the already re hydrated food. She in fact eats less solid food, and seems perfectly satisfied.  This is a huge amount of good dog food news!

Why One Food May Not Be Best For Your Dog

Choose a dog food that is best for your dog by careful trial and error, and expert guidance from your vet.  Sometimes, an illness will begin you on a new path to a new food; but often that can be disastrous and really difficult.  The only time you should try a new food, is when you are feeding a dog food that is full of non-organic ingredients, corn meal, bones, chicken feathers, beef organs like digestive tissues, or grains like rice.  Dogs do not do so well over time with food that is offered each and every day, and does not give them vitamins and minerals that they need to be healthy and sound.  They need essential fatty oils, and they need fresh and safe food stocks.  Best for your dog practices of feeding organic, holistic food, and a single protein that offers the right kind of carbohydrate is key.

Lose Weight Will Be Best For Your Dog

super dog foodEven with all the change on your dog food choice, you might find a great dog food that allows good nutrition and value for your budget; but it makes your dog fat!  What is a pet parent to do?  I recommend you watch the amount you feed your dog, and do continue on with the good new choice.  A small dog should be fed less than is advised, often try for at least 1/4 of what you normally feed, and be sure to at least break up the meal into two feedings.  If you can, breakfast, lunch and dinner is best for all dogs.  This can be difficult for working pet owners, but you can try an automatic feeder, or a pet walker to add a step after the walk, with a covered bowl ready to go on the counter.

Choose to Be Best for your Dog with No Treats

Extra feedings, and great dog food made of blueberries, real chicken, real beef, salmon, or a good carbohydrate like beans or oats can be heavy, and you don’t need to treat your dog. Make a special effort to bake for your dogs, and make best for your dog choices by a little more effort. Sometimes, just adding a little more effort to your dog feeding routine, will bring great value for your dog’s health.  It can be as simple as not adding any people food.  Or, even better, try to improve your diet too, by eating fresher foods like fruits and vegetables, and not processed or preserved foods.  Learn to shop on the outside of the store, and eat from the produce isles.

Keeping treats away from your dog will be a best for your dog practice that will allow you to continue with feeding great dog food alone.  With some day to day persistence, you can find great value with this continued habit, and your dog will flourish.  The ability for your dog to overcome allergies, stomach issues, and constant fatigue, and joint issues will gradually improve.  With this too, if your dog is suffering from any eye, ear or teeth issues, the lack of sugar and poor carbohydrate will improve these problems.  Remember, sugar and easy carbs that convert to sugar easily like corn, create an easy way for cancer cells to grow in tissues and digestive environments your dog produces.

Best for your dog practices are often about simple changes each day, and with one direct change to food, and nutrition you will be closer to better health.

Raw Bones for Healthy Teeth and Gums

Raw bones are a great treat for dogs and cats for that matter, but specifically for dogs as they really need a place to chew.  Dogs use a chewing break for exercise, and mental release.  Consider your dog when you come home from work, is he or she happy relaxed, or stressed and excitable?  The addition of raw bones to your doggy routine can be a great nutritional benefit.  Here is why raw bones, not processed bones are best.

Raw bones are close to Natural Events

dreamstime_l_27876126Dogs are often misunderstood by many means, and it usually creates an unusually naughty and excited canine companion.  With the advent of the modern age, our companions are often only our canine companions.  More and more people are isolated from each other, and rely on their dogs for love and affection.  This small pack family unit is hard on both the human and the dog, but it can be successful when the human allows their dog to be a dog.  Raw bones are a great way to give a dog that hunt and kill moment of feeding; just like a dog pack would eat.  It is a relaxing way for a dog to eat, pull, twist and chew some stress from their day that was often alone, and too closed up and quiet.  Or, if you have little ones running around, the constant noise of the day, can be whisked away for a dog with a little time to chew a raw bone.

Raw bones offer good amino acids

Raw bones and raw meat are good additions to the stored dry food we feed our dogs each day.  Once a week, check with your butcher on a raw beef long bone, and give it to your dog, watching that they do not get rib or soft bones like vertebrate.  Dogs often presented with a raw bone will attack it with gusto, looking for the best place to pull the meat that remains on the bone, and crack open any areas nearing marrow.

It is important to always be present when you feed raw bones, as our dogs have sometimes taken a cut thigh bone, and gotten it stuck around the bottom of their mouth.  It is such a nice circular bone, and they chew away the marrow inside the ring, and then boom!  They have a bone stuck!  This is something that I have prevented with purchase of longer, larger bones, and a time limit to chew time.  Each week, we let them chew for no more than 15 minutes of glorified doggie chewing time, and then snatch the bone away with a leadership grab.  Dogs chewing on bones will revert to their pack hierarchy of alpha and submissive roles, and you as the feeding human are a submissive role for certain.  During the bone removal, be safe, and allow your dog this aggressive stance, but be firm upon removal of the raw bone.  Do not save it, as a fresh raw bone is a great treat, but a stale saved stored bone is unhealthy and a risk of disease.

Raw Bones : When to Buy

Most butcher shops and grocery stores do their large cuts early in the week.  Plan to buy your raw bones on a tuesday or a wednesday for the best choices.  Good options for dog bones are leg femur bones cut into 3 or 4 inch cuts, shoulder joint bones, hip or upper pelvic bones, and nuckle pig bones.  Do not feed your dog chinese dried pig ears, tails or any skin pieces from the scrap piles.  Often sold to pet stores, these cuts are worthless to dogs, and will be too soft and create intestinal damage to your dog.  Look for bright red meat, beef, venison, and lamb cuts, that are larger and easy to hold onto.  Raw bones should be free of any odor or apparent rot.

 

Why Feeding Your Dog Good Dog Food is So Important

Consider your dog food the most important choice you make for your best friend each day, and buy good dog food for your dogs.  The only way you can ensure health and vitality in your dog is to find the best dog food for your furry best friend.  They eat one thing each day, so your choice is very important.   If your dog’s food is not healthy, your dog will not be healthy.

Good Dog Food Starts with Vitamins

Great Dog Food Starts with Knowledge

Begin with a protein, add some fiber, and for a good nutritional boost, add some vitamins.  The best dog food choices have Vitamins like C,B6,B12, and A.  Even some good dog food choices offer Vitamin D, and offer a smaller bag, that has a short shelf life.  After all, the vitamins are often something that is a mixture of natural fruit, vegetables, that have been dried and added to the protein and fiber in your dog’s food. Dry dog food is often very suggestible to losing its vitamin richness over time, as the vitamins are oxidized fairly quickly.

Comparisons between good dog food choices, can often begin with the bag itself, and looking for the Vitamins on the label.  Then, consider a holistic dog food choice, which is often a good dog food step.  Dog diet begins with health, and any time you are searching for good dog food, buy natural and holistic ingredients that you can understand and know what they are.  A cold or frozen dog food is not often healthy, or a good dog food choice, but it can offer a hypoallergenic dog food choice, as it may be raw.  Kibble is often harder to get nutrition from, but if you buy it with a short shelf life or with a born on dating that is close to the time of use, you are going to see good benefits from this food.

Good Dog Food Also Includes Minerals

Why minerals are just as, if not more important than vitamins, has to do with canine evolution, and how their bodies work.  Minerals are components in food that cannot often be created in the intestines and digestion of dogs, so not having them in your dog’s food, can be a tragedy.  The best dog food ratings are often related to the levels of good minerals like lecithin, or phosphatidyl-choline, which are important for cellular structure.  Without this vital mineral, cell walls are thin, and the dog’s biology is open to allergies, and infections.  Your dog food analysis should show this valuable mineral in the components of the food, and should show this in the ingredient list.

Dog food reviews often indicate that my dog likes this food, eats it quickly, and has increased appetite on this food, based on the addition of good minerals like calcium, magnesium, yeast, and selenium.  The great additions of these minerals add a layer of absorption into your dog’s body, that will allow the Vitamins to be used and effective.

Good Dog Food Increases Happiness and Vitality

All dogs are different, so not one dog food will be your good dog food choice.  The one thing I would strongly suggest is that corn be the one ingredient to avoid at all costs.  It is not an ingredient that should be legal in dog or cat food.  This one ingredient, will cause many problems in your dog’s health, and can be a reason that allergies become a symptom in your dog’s life.  When you remove corn from your dog’s food, corn meal, corn additives, corn filler, you are removing yourself from most cheaper dog food choices, but you are also offering a better, complete and balanced dog food.  The best choice is always to look for the good dog food with vitamins, minerals, and one that is fresh.

When you do this, you are offering a happy and fun life for your dog. They will have better nutrition to keep their joints moving, their brain calmer and more attentive, and offer them better chances at fighting parasites and infection.  It is the keystone to less pain, more fun, and a much better life in the long run.  Good dog food starts with nutrition and ends with a happiness to you and your dog.

Increase Health with Good Dog Food and Fight Problems Down the Line

One of the largest problems looming in canine health is cancer.  The most dedicated and knowledgeable vets know that cancer is a large problem, and is growing more and more each year.  Without good nutrition, your dog will have increased changes to be closer to pesticides and hormones in cheaper and less advantageous dog foods.  Cancer symptoms are of great importance, and will be a good thing to watch for, as it will keep you dedicated to finding good dog food!

 

Dogs commonly get cancer. Cancer is a disease that is characterized by a group of cells that grow to invade and destroy adjacent tissues. It may also spread to distant areas through a process called metastasis.
Cancer can occur in the skin, under the skin and affect just about any location or organ in the body.

There are also several types of cancer that is possible at each location. The signs of cancer vary with the location and type of cancer. The aggressiveness of the cancer will depend on the type of cancer, the location and the individual pet.

Some common warning signs of cancer may include:

1. Lump or growth that grows quickly
2. A firm mass or a mass that seems attached to the underlying tissue
3. A pigmented mass or a mass that changes its character
4. A sore or wound that does not heal
5. Difficulty eating or swallowing
6. Weight loss or loss of appetite
7. Repeated vomiting – especially in an older pets
8. Coughing or difficult/labored breathing
9. Bloody urine or difficulty urinating
10. Persistent lameness
11. Lethargy or a decreased energy level
12. Straining or difficulty defecating

Without good dog food, you may experience a few of the most common warning signs-More at 12 Warning Signs of Dog Cancer

Make Dog Food

If you are looking for a healthy food for dogs, a high protein dog food, a human grade dog food, why not make your own?

Cooking for Dogs

You should know, it is not as hard as it seems, and they can get great nutrition from your home cooked meals, as well, as a path to great health.  If you are interested in cooking for your dogs, here are the things that you should know!

You will need to boost your kitchen equipment up a bit, if you do not have some of these recommended items, and you will need some time each week, to make the food, and freeze it for the next two weeks.

When I cook for the dogs, I make chicken on one weekend, and beef or venison on the next.  That way, they have the variety that they so love.  You will need to plan a bit, as the ingredients for each recipe should be purchased ahead of time, and will need to be fresh, and only organic.

So, here are the items you will need!

  • A working oven, large enough to roast two full sized chickens
  • A large pan, for both chickens,
  • Aluminum foil, spring water, thermometers, and some timers to keep track of cooking time
  • Veggies, and fruits as needed per recipes
  • Garlic, sea kelp, and rosemary
  • Essential Fatty Acid Oils
  • A meat grinder, or an attachment to your mixer
  • Containers to freeze your meals, and appropriate freezer space
  • A lovely space of time to show your love to your dogs

If you can space out your time, with shopping and planning, and then cooking, it will be easy!  Be sure to check the rest of this site for recipes and your great next meal for your dog food.