How to Choose a Holistic Dog Food
People choose holistic dog food because it contains more protein than commercial dog food, often listing meat as the largest component of the dog food. Many commercial dog foods use grain sources as the largest component. Many holistic brands use meat rather than meat by-products. Holistic dog food often contains fewer chemical preservatives, and claims to use fewer animal by-products that may be tainted with pentobarbital, a chemical used to euthanize animals. However, there is no official definition for holistic dog food. You will need to use your judgment when determining the quality of a holistic dog food.
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Instructions
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Check the dog food label for the AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials) adequacy statement, ensuring that the dog food provides complete and balanced nutrition.
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Analyze the label to ensure the holistic dog food meets the following requirements: Grains should be no more than 50%, protein should be at least 25% and vegetables should be 25%. For grains, brown rice is considered the best for dogs. Many proponents of holistic dog foods feel that meat should be the top ingredient. The protein source is considered superior if it is from meat and not meat by-products.
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Read the label for harmful preservatives that may cause cancer. Avoid BHA, BHT and ethoxyquin. BHA and BHT are chemical antioxidants used to preserve dog food. According to Dr. Wendell Belfield, DVM, both BHA and BHT and known to cause liver and kidney dysfunction. Ethoxyquin is a chemical preservative not allowed in human food but used in many dog food brands.
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Tips & Warnings
If the dog produces large amounts of stool or has diarrhea, the dog may have difficulty digesting the food. You may need to switch to a different brand.
If switching the dog from a commercial dog food to a holistic one, start by gradually mixing the holistic food with the commercial food to give the dog's system time to adjust to the change.
Also consider the dog's stage in life -- for example, puppy, adult, or senior dog -- and choose a holistic food accordingly.
"Holistic" is primarily a marketing term -- there is no standard as to what constitutes holistic dog food. In general, look for a brand that contains meat and a minimum of fillers, no cancer-causing preservatives, and a quality grain source such as brown rice (not corn or wheat). "Natural" dog food means only that the product contains no synthetic ingredients.
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- Photo Credit dog biscuits image by Greg Pickens from Fotolia.com
