Dry Dog Foods And Their Effects On Your Dog’s Health
Dog food is essentially food designed and made especially for consumption by canines and other domesticated animals. Dogs are believed to be carnivores with a primarily meat-eating bias. However, a growing number of veterinarians believe that dogs can survive on a vegetarian diet. The question of whether or not dogs can be fed vegetarian foods is one of the most contentious issues surrounding the raising of dogs. While some vets regard the consumption of vegetarian foods as perfectly appropriate, most other veterinary professionals have recommended against it.
Most dog food can be classified into two major groups – dry food and wet food. Dry dog food entails dog food that is mainly comprised of meat; this is the most common type of dog food. Some people would prefer to feed their dogs raw meat whereas others might insist on a dry food that has meat as an ingredient. In the United Kingdom, the British Association of Feed Control Officials recommends that feeding dogs only dry food that contains no added water is appropriate. Nonetheless, some veterinarians have recommended canned dog food in cases where dogs have excessive water or fluid retention, and they might also be suggested by some others as a substitute.
Wet dog foods come in different forms. Some types of wet dog foods contain meat as an ingredient, while others are vegetarian. Chicken is the most common meat used in wet dog foods while beef and pork are commonly seen in dry dog foods. The most popular and widely available vegetarian dog food in the United States is called roast dog food. It is composed of soybean protein, wheat and corn. Soybean protein is said to be digestible and non-allergenic.
Some people might find it inappropriate to feed their dogs non-meat products like vegetables, fruits, and grains. Others might want to feed their pets bread, cereals, and table scraps, and others might even feel that giving dogs raw meat is cruelty to animals. Dogs, like human beings, are supposed to eat a wide range of different foods so it is hard to restrict them to one type of dog food. For instance, if one wants to feed their dog fish, they can do so but since there are many species of fish in the world, they should make sure that they do not feed their dogs fish that have been caught in the wild. Many in the scientific community believe that dogs cannot die from consuming too much protein in the form of fish.
The United States government has not established a set minimum nutritional level for dog foods. The United Kingdom Food Standards Agency, on the other hand, has set standards for certain nutrients that can be included in commercially produced dog foods. The AAFCO Animal Feeding Trials had established a minimum nutritional level for the four classes of animal feeds in the United States. This nutritional standard is called AVA. In Europe, a minimum nutritional level has been legally defined by the European Union. The AAFCO provides information regarding the four classes of animal feeds in their website.
There are differences in the nutritional quality of both dog foods and human foods. This is why some dog foods cost more than others. However, this is a factor of convenience more than any other thing. It is cheaper to buy in bulk than to buy individual cans of dog food. If you want to save money, buying in bulk would be an option. Dog foods that are commercially prepared may be more nutritious than those that are homemade.
Some dogs have special needs such as a dietary supplement. Manufacturers are now making dry foods that cater to dogs with dietary needs. They usually contain a higher percentage of the essential vitamins and minerals that are required for a balanced diet. In these cases, the cost of commercial dog food is still cheaper than preparing homemade meals for your dog. The advantage to homemade diets is that most dogs tolerate it well.
All dogs seem to like different foods. Even among different breeds of dogs, there are variations in preferences. It is difficult to find out what dogs seem to like and why. Most dog owners do not have the time to analyze the foods that their pet eats, so it is up to the pet owner to determine what foods may cause problems and what foods may be beneficial.