Which Are the Best Dog Foods and Treats for Your Pet?

What are the best dog foods and dog treats? Let's start with what makes a good dog food. A good dog food depends on the quality of ingredients and the nutritional power of the food. It should offer a balanced diet and the label should state "formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrients Profile."

Economy Dog Food Versus Premium Dog Food

Most dog foods found in grocery stores tend to be economy dog foods, which, interestingly, end up costing more to feed your dog than buying a premium or super-premium dog food. This is because standard dog foods tend to be lower in nutrients than premium foods and you have to use more food to get the same nutritional benefits of a higher priced premium food. For example, the suggested feeding instructions for one economy brand said feed approximately 6 cups a day for a 35-50lb dog. A super-premium food manufacturer recommends approximately 1 3/4-2 cups per day. So not only are you feeding your dog three times as much of the standard dog food, which reduces the cost benefit, with that kind of volume just imagine the extra poop you will have to clean up!

We looked at super-premium dog foods and found that they had an average of Crude Protein (Min) 23-27.0% and Crude Fat (Min) 13-15.0%. Lower end dog foods average 20% crude protein and 8% crude fat.

Economy dog foods usually contain corn meal as one of the main ingredients (an ok protein source, but may cause allergies in some dogs), along with chicken or animal byproducts or rendered meat/poultry. Byproducts are ground, rendered, clean parts of the carcasses of slaughtered animals or poultry and can include heads, feet, necks, viscera. These tend to be less nutritious but are often used in economy dog foods because them are much less expensive than whole turkey, chicken or meat. Rendered is often referred to as "byproducts meal" and it means cooked and processed remains of the leftovers in meat and poultry processing.

What to Look for in a Dog Food

Look for dog foods that are made from whole product, such as turkey, chicken and lamb. Also check the label to make sure the protein source is free of antibiotics, hormones and pesticides. Chicken fat is an excellent source of linoleic acid, which helps makes dogs' coats healthy and shiny. Look for dog foods with chicken fat as the source of fat. Also look at the fiber content. 3-4% fiber is generally preferred for solid stools.

Some people even advocate a BARF diet or Raw Feeding in place of commercial dog foods.

Important Info About Commercial Dog Foods:
As a dog lover, you MUST watch this video that I just saw about the dog food industry. It could save your dog's life. Click here to view this short video

What You Don't Want to Find in a Dog Food:

• rendered meats, poultry or fats
• animal byproducts
• added growth hormones
• protein from animals/poultry fed that were given antibiotics
• brain or spinal tissue
• artificial colors, artificial flavors, preservatives
• corn, soy, wheat and eggs may aggravate or cause allergies

Which are the 10 Best Dry Dog Foods - Top Ranked Holistic Dog Foods

While we are not dog food experts, below is a list of our top ranked holistic dog foods, listed in alphabetical order:

• California Natural
• Canidae
• Flint River Ranch
• Healthwise
• Innova
• Natural Balance
• Nature's Variety
• Newman's Own Organics
• Pet Promise*
• Pinnacle (by Avoderm)
• Wellness Formula

*Main protein source is natural, antibiotic- and hormone-free chicken. No animal by-products or rendered meat or fats. Does contain soy flour and corn gluten meal

How Much Dog Food to Feed?

The amount of dog food to give your pet varies depending on his size and weight and the brand of food. Usually with premium and ultra premium foods you need to feed your dog less than with grocery store brands. To help you figure it out, try this handy dog food calculator

Tip #1: Remember, whichever dog food you choose, always have a bowl of fresh water available for your pet.

Tip #2: Vary your dog's food. Would you like to eat the same thing every day for your whole life? Neither does your dog. It is a good idea to vary your dog's food so he doesn't get tired of it. Further, eating the same food all the time can contribute to the development of food allergies. When switching foods, most vets—as well as dog food companies—recommend you take about a week to gradually make the change. Start by adding a small amount of the new food to the old dog food and gradually increase the new food and decrease the old one. This helps eliminate stomach problems (dogs find enough reasons to throw up etc., their dog food should not be one of them.)

Tip #3: As much as it may be tempting when you see that sweet face and those big brown eyes looking at you, try to avoid feeding your dog people food, especially rich or fattening foods. It can upset their digestive system and throw off their nutritional balance, plus it usually leads to them begging or getting in your way whenever you are in the kitchen or near food.

Next: Dog Treats

Recommended books about dog food and dog nutrition:

"Healthy Food for Dogs: Homemade Recipes"

"Canine Nutrition: What Every Owner, Breeder, and Trainer Should Know," by Lowell J. Ackerman., D.V.M.
A comprehensive book covering dogs' nutritional needs at different life stages. He discusses basic nutritional components, vitamins, minerals, commercial diets, homemade diets, supplements, and special diets for medical conditions.

"Raw Dog Food," by Carina Beth MacDonald
An excellent resource if you are considering switching your dog to a raw food diet. This entergaining book explains the logic behind a raw food diet and how to make the change.

"K9 Kitchen - Your Dogs' Diet: The Truth Behind The Hype", by Monica Segal
This informative book covers commercial dog food, cooked food and/or raw diets and the merits of each. Explains canine nutrition and that all dogs are different, and how one diet may work better for your dog versus another dog.

Recommended Sites

Only Natural Pet Store offer thousands of products from all the leading manufacturers of natural pet care products, including vitamins, supplements, medicine, food, treats, chews, bones, flea control products, grooming supplies, and much more. They offer many hard to find products like organic food and treats, herbal remedies, homeopathy, raw food, flower essences, and natural flea control products. Only Natural Pet Store has an extensive Natural Pet Care Library that offers articles and responses from their holistic vet, Dr. Larry Siegler. Among the numerous resources is info on cancer, allergies, skin & coat, food selection and more. Save 5% on your first order at Only Natural Pet Store! Coupon code CJ15. Use coupon code MAYCJ to save 10% through the end of May.

PETCO.com is a leading merchant for pet care products including premium dog foods (including organic dog treats, natural foods and supplements), flea and tick control products, beds, crates and carriers, grooming, healthcare, toys, shedding control and more, all easily and securely ordered online and conveniently delivered to your home. PETCO.com also offers a monthy specials store and featuring items ranging from dog clothes to pet strollers and training aids. Specials: FREE Shipping on Orders of $50 or More at PETCO.com! Thru March 28. 10% Off, No Minimum Purchase Required, when you shop PETCO.com! Thru Mar 28.

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