| Are you starting to take another look at dog | | | | Advocates of raw meat say it is safer to |
| food? If you are like me I have been trying | | | | purchase frozen raw meat from pet suppliers |
| different types of foods to give my dog a | | | | than the meat we buy for human consumption |
| healthier life. He has had skin problems and chronic | | | | because it has a higher standard and control of |
| ear infections. What are the differences between | | | | bacteria and contaminants. |
| raw, organic and commercial dog foods? | | | | Do you remember watching documentaries of |
| One of the simplest things under our control to | | | | dogs eating other animals? Did you take note that |
| help solve health problems is food. Eating | | | | wild dogs eat all parts of another animal including |
| nutritional foods appropriate to maintaining healthy | | | | intestinal contents? The gut which has processed |
| bodies is necessary. In researching dog food there | | | | grains, grasses, and berries contains vitamins, |
| are many philosophies which people have an | | | | minerals, and other nutrients not found in the |
| opinion or belief. | | | | muscle or other tissues. |
| Raw foods versus organic or natural foods versus | | | | When preparing raw food for your dog be sure |
| commercially prepared foods and others. | | | | to have clean hands, clean cutting board and |
| - Raw food advocates want their dogs to return | | | | utensils, and clean feeding dishes. Cleanliness is |
| to the wild and eat according to their own | | | | critical. |
| instincts and natural inclinations and feel that dry | | | | Organic foods whether raw or home cooked also |
| commercial food is not healthy for their pets. | | | | need careful supervision of cleanliness when |
| - Organic food advocates want their dogs to eat | | | | preparing food. There needs to be an awareness |
| organic foods. These people are concerned of | | | | of balancing nutrients for your dog to have |
| chemicals, fertilizers, insecticides, medications and | | | | healthy and nutritional meals. These foods would |
| antibiotics, and herbicides used on plants and | | | | contain meat and vegetables to be sure |
| animals causing contamination and disease in their | | | | necessary vitamins and minerals are provided. |
| pets. | | | | Commercial food advocates feel they produce a |
| - Commercial dog foods are convenient to the | | | | better product inclusive of correct and necessary |
| public and many blends are offered from normal | | | | ingredients needed for dogs. They argue that |
| to ill health issues. These products seem to be | | | | much research supports the benefit of dry |
| reasonably priced and people do trust that the | | | | commercial and canned foods and for the cost |
| food manufacturer is producing a good nutritional | | | | and the convenience of their product the |
| product for their dog. And the customer feels | | | | consumer should be satisfied that their dog food |
| confident of the scientific research invested in | | | | is the best that they are purchasing. |
| producing good dog food. | | | | When buying commercial dog food dry or canned; |
| Raw food requires a responsibility by the pet | | | | read the labels carefully. This is why there are |
| owner to be sure that they adhere to safe food | | | | many arguments against commercially prepared |
| handling to minimize bacterial infection of meats. | | | | foods. |