You may have been considering trying one of the new grain free dog foods on the market. Many people have done so, and reported improvements in the health of their pets. Problems with digestive issues and allergies have been alleviated. Older and obese dogs do better on a grain free dog food diet.
Canines are carnivores, their digestive systems are designed to process meat and protein. Grains are very hard for their systems to digest, and can cause irritation and inflammation of the intestines. This inflammation gives rise to many different allergic reactions. It can get confusing because your dog may get sick if you give him a hamburger as a treat. His body does not produce sufficient enzymes to process that much concentrated protein because it's been forced to adapt to an unnatural diet.
Dogs were traditionally fed from the table of their human companions. They ate table scraps, leftovers and whatever else the family was eating. About sixty years ago, kibble, a dry processed food made of pellets, was designed to be a convenient, mess free alternative. Grains, being readily available and inexpensive, became the dominant ingredient in these products.
The higher the percentage of grains in the kibble, the more profit these companies derive from it. The protein content in many of these foods is quite low, sometimes less than twenty percent. Some dogs may seem to have no problems with it, but their health ultimately suffers because of this departure from their dietary needs.
There are any number of allergic responses to this inadequate diet. Recurring ear infections is most likely to be nutrition based. Digestive problems are also a result: these include, loose stools, gas, bloating, and diarrhea. Some dogs suffer dreadfully from skin ailments that are allergic responses to the presence of grains in their kibble.
A kibble free of grains will usually have potatoes and sweet potatoes in the ingredients. Spinach, peas, pumpkin, squash, turnip greens, and carrots are popular vegetables found in these foods. Apples, pears, blackberries, and blueberries are also popular additions. The percentage of protein is increased as well.
There is also a variety of meat sources offered in this type of food. There are red meat products containing beef, lamb or bison. Chicken and turkey are offered in poultry based foods. Salmon, whitefish, herring, and pike are some of the ingredients in the fish formulas. Severely allergic dogs may require a single source protein product.
Changing the dog's diet should be done gradually. Slowly add the new product to his old food over a few days. This will allow his system to adapt to the digestive demands of the new diet. An abrupt changeover can be very hard on a dog's digestive system.
You should see improvements in your dog's health and well being within a few weeks. If there are still some minor problems, consider trying a different protein source. You should also think about adding raw meat to his daily food. The closer you can make your dog's diet that of a carnivore, the healthier he will be.
Canines are carnivores, their digestive systems are designed to process meat and protein. Grains are very hard for their systems to digest, and can cause irritation and inflammation of the intestines. This inflammation gives rise to many different allergic reactions. It can get confusing because your dog may get sick if you give him a hamburger as a treat. His body does not produce sufficient enzymes to process that much concentrated protein because it's been forced to adapt to an unnatural diet.
Dogs were traditionally fed from the table of their human companions. They ate table scraps, leftovers and whatever else the family was eating. About sixty years ago, kibble, a dry processed food made of pellets, was designed to be a convenient, mess free alternative. Grains, being readily available and inexpensive, became the dominant ingredient in these products.
The higher the percentage of grains in the kibble, the more profit these companies derive from it. The protein content in many of these foods is quite low, sometimes less than twenty percent. Some dogs may seem to have no problems with it, but their health ultimately suffers because of this departure from their dietary needs.
There are any number of allergic responses to this inadequate diet. Recurring ear infections is most likely to be nutrition based. Digestive problems are also a result: these include, loose stools, gas, bloating, and diarrhea. Some dogs suffer dreadfully from skin ailments that are allergic responses to the presence of grains in their kibble.
A kibble free of grains will usually have potatoes and sweet potatoes in the ingredients. Spinach, peas, pumpkin, squash, turnip greens, and carrots are popular vegetables found in these foods. Apples, pears, blackberries, and blueberries are also popular additions. The percentage of protein is increased as well.
There is also a variety of meat sources offered in this type of food. There are red meat products containing beef, lamb or bison. Chicken and turkey are offered in poultry based foods. Salmon, whitefish, herring, and pike are some of the ingredients in the fish formulas. Severely allergic dogs may require a single source protein product.
Changing the dog's diet should be done gradually. Slowly add the new product to his old food over a few days. This will allow his system to adapt to the digestive demands of the new diet. An abrupt changeover can be very hard on a dog's digestive system.
You should see improvements in your dog's health and well being within a few weeks. If there are still some minor problems, consider trying a different protein source. You should also think about adding raw meat to his daily food. The closer you can make your dog's diet that of a carnivore, the healthier he will be.
About the Author:
Jamie is a family pet health expert who specializes in raw diets for dogs. Click here to learn more..
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