Benefits Of Feeding Your Dog An Organic Dog Food Diet

When choosing a diet for your dog, the source of the ingredients, type and ratio of ingredients, and the processing all affect the final product. Labeling requirements ensure that "organic" really does mean something. Sales of organic dog food have been on the increase for several years as dog owners seek to provide their animal companions with the best nutrition possible.

Natural refers to the way the foodstuff is processed with no artificial preservatives or chemical additives. Organic is the way plants are grown, with no fertilizers or pesticides, or raised, with no antibiotics or growth hormones.

Dogs are carnivores that do best on a meat-based diet. Meat should be the primary ingredient, not meat byproducts or animal protein. Byproducts include head, feet, lungs, spleens. Ligaments, fat trimmings, any piece of the animal not used for human consumption. The nutritional value of byproducts varies from batch to batch. It's legal to include dead, dying, diseased, and disabled livestock.

A note about labels. Meat can only refer to cows, pigs, goats, and sheep, and only includes specified muscles and tissues. If labeled "beef dog food", the product must by 95% beef. If labeled "beef dinner" it must by 25% beef. A label of "dog food with ..." requires 3% meat. Flavor can be any trace amount of offal or byproducts.

The primary ingredients in most non-organic products are grain and other fillers. Dogs can't digest grain unless it's cooked first at high temperatures, leaving a product low in nutritional value, high in empty calories.

Few studies have been done to assess the long term effects of artificial preservatives. One preservative, propylene glycol, was banned from cat products when it was linked to anemia in felines. It's still used in dog kibble. The only advantage of artificial preservatives is a shelf life of 12 months, versus 6 months for feed kept fresh with natural preservatives.

Organic canned food is a good source of high grade protein, but serve canned foodstuff on it's own plate. Don't mix canned diets, water, milk, or any other liquid with dry dog rations. If there's any bacterial contamination from packaging or improper storage, the liquid will let the bacteria multiply. Dry dog rations should be kept in a tin or other tightly sealed and non-porous container.

Cost is often listed as a downside. Since non-organic products contain a lot of filler, the amount fed and the amount pooped out is greater. Expect to save on the serving size. And for the long term, expect your pet to be healthier and more energetic.

Review plans to upgrade your dog's diet with a veterinarian, especially if a pet has allergies or is on medication. To prevent digestive upset, introduce the new diet in stages. The first offering should be 1/4 new and 3/4 old diet. Each meal increase the proportion of the new diet. There are many varieties of organic products to choose from. To be healthy, the new diet has to appeal to your dog's taste.

Organic dog food is available in traditional meat-based formulas, vegetarian formulas, and raw meat diets. Purchase at a veterinarian's office and most pet stores. Many online companies ship the food right to your front door. Dogs benefit from a nutritious diet with increased health and energy, less digestive problems, natural weight control, and a healthier skin and coat.