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What Are You Feeding Your Pup?

Like people, dogs are what they eat. 40% of dogs are obese, 46% of dogs die of cancer, and heart, kidney, and liver disease are an epidemic. A lot people don't know about the foods their dog is eating, simply because the labels that say "organic, gourmet, high quality, complete and balanced", etc. are often misleading and don't mean much at all. Dog food may legally contain "4-D" meat: meat from dead, dying, diseased, and disabled animals. You may not think that what your dog eats can directly correlate with their health, but it can and it does!

Ingredients in Dog Food to Avoid:
Find a full list of ingredients to avoid here: Ingredients To Avoid
  • Ethoxyquin - used as a preservative which is also found in herbicides. Vets have noticed that this ingredient is associated with development of kidney and liver damage, cancer, immune deficiency syndrome, blindness, and leukemia
  • Propylene Glycol - Also found in anti-freeze, it's placed in dog food to reduce moisture and prevent bacteria growth, which in turn reduces the "good" growth that is needed. It also reduces moisture that is needed to aid in digestion
  • BHT/BHA - Both are equally potent and a dangerous chemical often responsible for kidney damage. BHT is used to help reduce food spoilage but has also been directly linked with cancer
  • Corn Syrup/Corn - Corn Syrup is sugar used to "sweeten" your dog's palate and too much of it over time will lead to weight gain, diabetes, hyperactivity, and even a change in mental behavior. Corn, an inexpensive filler, over time may develop mold or fungus and in turn, may result in death
  • "By Product" - This could be chicken, lamb, beef, fish, turkey and so on. "By Products" are the internal remains of an animal, not including the muscle meat. Often times, this includes diseased tissues, organs, and tumors
  • Food Dyes - Blue 2, Red 40, Yellow 5 and 6, 4-MIE
Tips for Choosing The Best Food for Your Pet:
  • Read Ingredients - The best way to determine if it's a safe, healthy dog food for your pet is by reading the list of ingredients and trying to avoid the ones listed above
  • Take Glutens and Grains into Consideration - Grains are used in many pet foods and provide an excellent source of carbohydrates. Some dogs have a grain allergy, and some won't even realize their dog has an allergy but they will experience symptoms like itchy skin, dry or flaky skin, hair loss, bumps/rash, chronic ear infections, obsessive licking or chewing of feet, inflamed or red paws, or gastrointestinal upset. These allergies can develop immediately or may develop years of being fed the same diet. 
  • Check Food for Adequacy - Puppies have different health needs from senior and adult dogs. As well as big and small dogs have different nutritional needs. 
Some Healthier Brands Found At Local Grocers:
Rachel Ray (Budget Friendly!), Nature's Recipe, Blue Buffalo, Purina Beyond One or Purina Pro Plan (Budget Friendly!), Pet Fresh, etc.

Healthier Brands From Pet Stores/Online:
Blue Buffalo, Natural Balance, Wellness CORE, Taste of the Wild, Honest Kitchen, Nature's Variety, Earthborn Holistic, etc.

(There are other good ones, this is just a small list - check ingredients and do research to ensure the best food for your pet!) 

Brands to AVOID:
IAMS, EverPet, Cesar, Showtime, Retriever, Big Red, Purina Beneful, Purina Dog Chow, Kibbles 'n Bits, Pedigree, Twin Pet, Ol' Roy, Hi-Point, Doggy Bag, Gravy Train, Royal Canin, Diamond, etc. 

(This is not a complete list, check the ingredients in your pet's food!)




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