Article Advise

submitted: Aug 25th 2008 | by: JolieMitchel | Total views: 1 | Word Count: 583 | |

Holistic dog food, kibble, or canned food, Which is better for my dog? This is a debate that has been going on for several years now. And it's easy for the dog owner to be confused by the conflicting claims of various dog food manufacturers. There are dog foods to promote coat growth. Some claim to support bone health, and the list just goes on and on. The good news is that this dog good is still the easiest and option for feeding your dog. But is it the best?

As the popularity of holistic dog foods grow, more and more pet stores and specialty organic food retailers are now producing their own holistic dog food, often using all organic ingredients. These are foods that could be fit for human consumption. They use fresh ingredients and on the surface look like a great alternative to manufactured dog foods, but the nutritional value of feeding your dog this food is being hotly debated.

Some independent veterinarians are cautious about using holistic dog food. While it might be nutritious when fed in controlled quantities, too much could cause problems. The danger of overfeeding holistic dog food to your dog may lead to an overdose of certain vitamins. Like with humans, an overexposure to vitamins such a Vitamin A and B12 can lead to dangerous side effects. These side effects can even be fatal to dogs.

Also, major dog food manufacturers are quick to point out that holistic dog foods don't have the same controls on vitamins, fats, or calories that are put into the food. These controls on ingredients are used by the pet food manufacturers to create blends designed to be safely given to a dog in prescribed quantities. They say the same can't be said about organic food.

Finally, pet food manufacturers and their nutritional experts argue that because holistic dog foods don't use the same controls as the larger manufacturers, they can't guarantee the quality of their ingredients, which can cause health problems for the dog. The major manufacturers say that their own controls are stringent enough to ensure that they are producing a safe product.

This argument has come under fire following the mass of dog food recalls that involved hundreds of major brands on the market. These recalls occurred despite their touted controls. In fact, it was poor quality control that let tainted ingredients enter the production of the pet food. Dozens of cats and dogs died, because of the contamination. This recall has caused many pet owners to embrace holistic dog foods.

Bottom line, no pet has died as a result of eating holistic dog food in the United States in recent years. And studies are showing that holistic dog foods do have a nutritional value that promotes animal health. Not only that, there are controls on the production of the food. USDA guidelines for animal feed must be followed, and the food has to be tested by a nutritional expert to prove that the food is safe for eating.

While the debate continues, it's becoming more and more clear that organic foods are the safest alternative on the market for dogs to eat. True, bagged kibble is still fairly safe to use. But all pet owners should educate themselves about the ingredients in their dog's food in order to decide for themselves whether it is safe. You may even want to talk with a veterinarian or animal nutritionist who can help you find the food that best suits and is safe for your best friend.

About the Author

To find out more about home made dog food please visit ThePoochPlace.com and learn the secrets about dog food recipes.

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