If you are a dog lover, it’s important you understand the dangers of using commercial dog food. With the number of dog food recalls that have happened in the recent future it’s no surprise more and more people are starting to research the food they are putting in their dog’s dish. Much of the dog food you find in the stores has been linked to all sorts of disease and illnesses – obviously you don’t want to put your pup’s health at risk.
The pet food industry did not just taint themselves, they also caused concern and heartbreak among many dog owners that will never be able to regain the faith that most of us all took for granted with this industry.
Many pet owners lost their dogs – someone they considered members of their families – over tainted dog food incidents. Many dog lovers will never trust the commercialized dog food industry ever again.
The problem isn’t just with dog food that has been recalled – it extends far beyond this. Commercial dog food is produced in a way that would make most people cringe. Since it’s all about cutting costs for the companies they put in all sorts of fillers that have been linked to all sorts of health problems.
There has been a big push for us as humans to eat better and feed ourselves wholesome, unprocessed foods so that we can live long and healthy lives. This makes great sense – the food we put in our body is the fuel that gets us through each day.
However we often don’t think twice about what we are feeding our dogs when we pick up a bag of food for them. However, the same theory applies to any animal – what you feed them has a direct impact on their health and quality of life.
The companies that produce commercial dog food rely on some of the worst possible ingredients when they put together their “formulas”. They look for the cheapest ingredients that just meet the laws in order to make the most money. The health risks are horrendous.
Let’s take corn gluten meal as the first example. This ingredient is found in most commercial dog foods simply because it is such an inexpensive filler that the manufacturers can use. However, it is also one of the main causes of allergies in dogs. This one simple ingredient has the potential to make your dog miserable.
Chicken by-product meal is also used in the dog food industry. This is made up of parts of the chickens feet, necks, intestines, etc. They use this as a source of protein as well, yet this it is of such low grade that it does nothing for your dog. It also has the potential to be toxic or tainted.
Many dog foods include soybean meal in order to provide a source of protein. The ingredient itself isn’t unhealthy, however soybean is the number one cause of allergies in dogs. It just doesn’t make sense to include this considering how many dogs are allergic to it.
These are only three of the ingredients – there are many more that I could list. However, I’m sure you get the idea. The dog foods on the store shelves have the potential to make your dog very sick.
When you do your research about feeding your dog the right foods, you will be amazed at the changes you see. Your dogs mood, energy levels, skin, bathroom habits and even their behavior will improve. It’s amazing what a change in diet will do.
Does this mean that you can’t ever use store-bought dog food? Of course not, but you absolutely must know what to look for. We included a link at the bottom of this article where you can find more information.
Once you understand the dangers of certain commercial dog food and which ingredients to avoid, it’s incredibly easy to make sure your dog is being fed nothing but the best food possible. Not only will you have the happiest and healthiest dog on the block, but you might just save its life!
All the best!
