Category: Nutrition
The good, the bad, and the ugly: A Focus on Grain Free Foods
October 1, 2018
There seems to be an increase in marketing and media attention these days on every aspect of our lives, including dog foods. One popular trend we are seeing is grain free foods. What are grains? Are they bad for dogs? And are grain free foods the answer? There are many sources of grains that can be used in foods. Grains are seeds of plants that are used as a source of nutrients. Things like wheat, oats, barley, corn, rye, sorghum, millet, and rice are all considered grains. One reason people think grains may be bad for dogs is allergies. In humans, grain and gluten sensitivity is becoming more noticed, and so many people are wondering if their dogs are also allergic. In truth, only about 10% of dog allergies are to foods, and of these, the majority of the allergens are to beef and dairy. It is estimated that less than 1% of dogs are sensitive to grains. Are grains fillers? Absolutely not! Grains provide a number of nutritional benefits. Grains are easily digested, and are utilized just like other carbohydrate sources. In fact, they can be higher in protein and lower in sugar than alternative carbohydrate sources such as potatoes, which makes them healthier! They also provide healthy fats and antioxidants. Grains […]
Learn MorePet Food Fact and Fiction
March 1, 2016There are many choices available for pet food these days. A walk into a pet store or the pet food aisle can prove to be overwhelming, when really we just want to feed what is best for our pet. There are many myths about pet food and pet nutrition as well, which can make things even more confusing. Below I discuss a few of the more prevalent food myths. First of all, when looking at foods, there are a few things you should always look for. Somewhere on the packaging (usually in very tiny print on a side), there should be a statement which says the food has been tested to meet or formulated to meet AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control) standards. Most major brands available have this, and it means it has been tested or formulated to be nutritionally balanced and have the appropriate amounts of nutrients for your pet. The second thing you should always look at is to make sure that the food is approved for the appropriate pet and lifestage-for example, puppies should not be fed an adult food or senior food, they should be fed a food for puppies, growth, or all life stages. One of the first myths seen is that pets should be fed grain free […]
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