| How often do you think about what your feed your | | | | Many pet food brands advertise themselves as being |
| dog? Do you know what's in it? Do you even know | | | | healthy alternatives because they are filled with |
| what is a healthy diet for a dog? Many dog owners | | | | whole grains, corn, and rice. While that may be |
| think that the dog food that they are giving their | | | | healthy for humans (there's debate on this, but that's |
| dogs is healthy, but in fact, it's not. Many people | | | | a different article), it is not for dogs. Dogs' digestive |
| assume that if it's healthy for a human then it must | | | | systems are short, straight, and are not able to |
| be healthy for a dog. While this is true to some | | | | efficiently digest grains. Dogs in the wild are primarily |
| degree, it's not the case for the types of food dogs | | | | carnivores that eat fresh meat and shun most plant |
| should eat. The following are three easy rules to | | | | matter including vegetables. |
| remember when choosing dog food. | | | | 3. Stay away from preservatives. |
| 1. Many dog foods are filled with food unfit for | | | | In particular watch out for artificial preservatives such |
| anything to eat. | | | | as BHA, BHT, and Ethoxyquin. These chemicals are |
| Pet foods originally began as a way for food | | | | hard for anything alive to process and be the cause |
| processors to salvage food that was deemed unfit | | | | of many pet allergies. |
| for human consumption. This would include animals | | | | Many dog food brands advertise themselves as |
| that were sick, diseased, or dead on arrival. This also | | | | healthy for dogs when in fact they're not. It's often |
| included spoiled or diseased grain and corn. When | | | | best to look for brands that are made primarily of |
| searching for a good dog food for your dog, be sure | | | | meat, do not contain artificial preservatives, and are |
| to see if it is USDA certified. | | | | USDA inspected. |
| 2. Remember that dogs are carnivores. | | | | |