Buying The Best Dog Chow For Your Pet

Dogs have been our closest companions for over 15 000 years. However, it was not until 150 years ago that someone had the idea to produce a food specifically for dogs. And this early venture into commercializing dog food was hardly a runaway success. It was only after WWII that people really bought into the idea of buying food specifically for their dogs.

So what were dogs fed for the thousands of years before then? The truth is they were pretty much left to scrounge or hunt for their own meals. Occasionally, they may have been thrown a bone from the master’s table or given a treat by a kindly soul.

As dogs became more popular as pets, they would have been fed more regular meals by their human guardians. These meals though would still have been table scraps, perhaps supplemented by some dry or tinned dog food.

With the advent of the information age, there has been an explosion of television programs, websites and magazines about dogs. People have become more informed about dog nutrition, and more concerned about dog health.

There have been volumes written on canine nutrition, as well as the introduction of premium and super premium dog food brands. Add to that things like the raw dog food diet and it’s easy to see why the average person can become quite confused about the best food for their dog.

So what is the best dog food?

Depends who’s advice you’re following. Some will tell you to feed raw meat and vegetables, others will insist that a premium dog food brand contains all the nutrients your dog needs, and then there are those who slave for hours over a hot stove to prepare wholesome meals for their beloved dogs.

All of these approaches have merit. But the important thing is balance and a menu that caters to the dog’s omnivorous nature. All good dog food diets, whether raw, dry or home cooked, need to take this into account.

Strive for a three way split between meat, veggies and fiber. But if you’re going to err in any direction, feed a higher percentage of meat.

While good canine nutrition is important you obviously have to balance this with your time availability. If time is an issue then the safest route is to opt for a high grade, premium or super premium dog food.

There are a number of options available to you including specially formulated brands for puppies, seniors, dogs with allergies, dogs with sensitive stomachs and so on. You can even get brands formulated for the needs of specific dog breeds.

What you should definitely avoid is the cheap commercial dog food brands, while feeding table scraps is another no-no.

The cheap kibble brands – and that includes most popular brands sold in supermarkets – are generally grain based, and lacking in the necessary nutritional values. They can cause all sorts of health problems ranging from allergies to more serious diseases. Some of the preservatives and colorings may even cause cancer.

You should also avoid feeding your dog table scraps. Human food is generally not good for a dog as it is high in fat and may contain harmful ingredients like garlic or onions. A dog that is regularly fed from the table is also likely to become a habitual beggar.

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