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Nutrition/Diet

Is Dry Dog Food Enough?
Many dogs and cats eat the same thing day-in and day-out for their entire lives. There is no variety and most domesticated animals are fed a dry kibble. Unfortunately, dry food kibble alone does not give them all the species-specific nutrition that they need, and therefore can lead to problems, both physically and behaviorally. Dry dog and cat food (kibble) is 50 percent grain (or more) by nature. By feeding your dog dry kibble everyday you are giving him 100 percent more grain than he would eat in the wild. Remember, wolves are dog’s ancestors and they have never dined on grain.
Having excess grain in your dogs diet can also lead to higher energy levels, which can lead to destructive behaviors and anxiety. It is like feeding a child too much sugar- Not a good mix.

Selecting a Dog Food
Look for foods that have human-grade whole protein sources like Chicken, Turkey, Beef, or Lamb. If you see ‘chicken meal’ as the first ingredient, it means it has been cooked at least twice, losing important nutritional value. ‘Meal’ may also contain a majority of bone and may not have any meat content. These foods cannot be found at the big chain pet stores, but rather at natural food pet stores. You may think that they cost more, but because there is more actual meat and less filler in every bag, you will be feeding much less, thus you will buy it less often and spend less. And the really good news is there will be less poop in the yard!

I also recommend supplementing your pet’s dry kibble with a tablespoon or two of canned dog food whenever possible by mixing it in with dry food. This will add more moisture in his system, which will put less stress on his kidneys and liver. Most importantly, it will boost the meat content of his diet. The added natural meat will also add oils back to his skin and coat to make it softer and shiner, which is great for the dry Colorado weather. To make your dogs meal even more species-specific, try adding in a tablespoon of canned pumpkin or canned green beans to his food (low sodium, of course). His taste buds and tummy will thank you!

Next Month: “Fillers to Avoid”