Dog food secrets

TO some companies quality is just a word

DOG foods do vary in quality and so do the companies that make the foods. To some companies quality is only a word, to others, it’s a way of life.

Many include rice which has no value whatsoever. Ultimately, the quality of a dog food is best measured by your dog.  How your dog performs on the food, how he looks, feels and acts are the best measures of the quality of any food. 

At least 80 per cent of my clients that report behavioural problems find a change of food changes behaviour.

No matter what a food company claims, unless your dog has bright eyes, silky hair and supple skin, and is not overweight, then the food is not right for him. Not all dogs do well on a particular brand of food some dogs simply do better than others.

Most foods are categorised as Economy, Regular, Premium, Super Premium and Performance. Regular and Premium foods are not formulated like a Super Premium or Performance food.

Dogs have simple stomachs and short digestive tracts for digesting meat. They also lack  amylase, which is necessary for pre-digesting starch. 

Dogs have adapted to foods with high vegetable protein levels, however they perform better when fed foods high in meat protein and animal fats.

Checking the label of a Super Premium or Performance food an animal protein will be listed as the first or second major ingredient. These should include either chicken, or turkey meat, or poultry by-products meals, meat or pork meals or other animal by-products. 

A least two sources of fat or oil should be included for essential fatty acids. 

Fat in food is the dog’s source of energy. Animal fat contains essential and non-essential fatty acids as well as providing a highly digestible and easily metabolised energy source.

Generally, poultry, turkey or chicken fat are higher in quality because they have more unsaturated fatty acids.