Is Raw or Cooked Dog Food a Better Choice for Your Pet?

Article by Jacob Akshire

Feeding dogs raw food is a topic that has been hotly debated a great deal by its advocates and critics. The real issue that needs to be the topic of conversation is processed versus fresh food for dogs and not so much whether the food is raw or cooked.

But because of the unique qualities that characterize each of our pets, there are probably as many distinct nutritional requirements as there are dogs on the planet. With that said, I believe that pet nutrition, in order to keep your dog healthy, should be based on some common sense principles.

Principle #1: Only feed your dog ingredients that are packed with nutrients of the highest quality.

Principle #2: Your dog’s meals should be prepared in accordance with a precise formula so that the nutrition it provides is balanced and complete.

Principle #3: To retain as much of the nutrient value of the food as possible so that the nutrients are readily absorbed by your dog’s body, serve it food that is processed as little as possible.

Principle #4: Another way to preserve the food’s nutrient value and keep it from spoiling is to feed your dog immediately after the food is prepared.

I would really like to hear an explanation from anyone who does not agree with these common sense principles.

The degree to which your dog’s food is processed (Principle #3) is at the heart of the matter. The main reason why fresh food advocates like myself dislike processed dog food so much, whether it is canned or dry, is that the high temperatures required to manufacture commercial dog food destroys the nutrients in it. To rectify this problem, dog food manufacturers add synthetic vitamins to the food, artificial chemicals that a dog’s body has a hard time absorbing. “Organic” or “natural” kibble to me is an oxymoron, and I have a good laugh whenever I see those words on a dog food package because all of the valuable nutrients one would expect to find in organic or natural dog food are destroyed by the processing required to create commercial kibble.

Individuals who feed their dogs only raw food argue that any kind of processing, including light cooking, jeopardizes the food’s nutritional value. On the other hand, critics of the raw food diet would argue that dogs who eat it are more likely to consume pathogens such as E. coli and salmonella that are often found in uncooked meat. There is probably some value to each argument, but when deciding which way to go, you have to consider what you are going to give up by choosing one diet over the other.

The digestive system of a dog, according to trustworthy experts I have spoken with, is quite capable of handling the normal quantities of bacteria that may be found in uncooked meat. On the other hand, a lot of those same experts will tell you that only a small amount of damage occurs to nutrients that are the most sensitive to heat when meals are cooked lightly enough to get rid of any harmful pathogens.

Therefore, you really don’t have to make a choice between the two approaches. Each pet owners has to decide on his or her own what to feed their dogs.

A good rule of thumb to follow is to feed your dog food that has been processed as little as possible. Most dogs can handle eating raw food that has been subjected to no processing whatsoever.

But there are a few dogs who need to be fed cooked food because their sensitive digestive systems simply cannot break down raw food very easily. Nor should dogs that have a high risk of getting sick from pathogens be fed raw food, and this would include dogs whose immune systems are in a weakened state or who live with people who have weak immune systems. And then you have those finicky dogs who insist on eating only cooked food. The best way to go with these dogs is to serve them food that has been lightly cooked.

Approximately two thirds of our customers whom we surveyed report that they feed their dogs raw food, while a third of them serve cooked meals to their dogs. Not only did neither group report that their dogs suffered any health complications, but they also saw significant improvements in the health of their pets compared to when they were fed dry dog food.

Working up a lather over whether you should feed your dog cooked or raw food is unnecessary. It’s absolutely okay if you feel more at ease serving your dog food that you have lightly cooked. Do your best to avoid highly processed dry dog food and, instead, serve your pets fresh food, whether you cook it lightly or feed it to them raw.

Jamie is a dog health authority who strongly believes that transferring your canine to barf dog food is the most healthy call you can make for your dog. Find out much more about feeding fresh food.

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Does Gourmet Cat Food Really Taste Better

Article by Derek Rogers

In recent years, there has been a serious surge in the production of so called “premium cat food” or “gourmet cat food”, and people are beginning to wonder if these more expensive brands on the market are actually worth all the hype, and of course the money. These gourmet cat food brands are meant to taste more lavish than the traditional brands of cat food found in the average supermarket. Gourmet cat food sales are increasing at a pretty alarming rate in an industry that is consistently evolving to produce higher quality products.

One of the primary reasons why there is such an increase in demand for these products is because consumers are looking for cat food products that are closer to the quality of home prepared foods. Current research is supporting that inferior ingredients in cat food can be detrimental to the health of the cat; more and more people are looking for healthier alternatives. Many gourmet cat food brands are touting the ability to provide high quality, natural cat food products based on ingredients that are more wholesome than traditional commercially prepared foods.

Every year we seem to see an increase in cat disease, obesity and other serious issues which can now be rectified to a degree by the healthfulness of gourmet cat food products. Most gourmet cat food products come in smaller packages which tend to discourage over feeding in order to fight obesity. These small packages are attractive both to consumers who are looking for dietary management, and for those who are looking for convenience when feeding their pets.

Many cat food brands, like Purina for example, offer a variety of different types of gourmet cat food, these include “Fancy Feast” and “Gourmet Gold” for example. These brands claim to be restaurant quality, and come in a variety of different types and choices. The obvious benefit to the pet food company is that they can demand a higher price for these luxury cat food products. This is by putting increased care into the design, presentation and manufacturing of the cat food, the company can fetch increased profits. Because consumers know the products are of a higher quality, they are generally willing to pay more.

There seems to be an implied understanding that the higher price means the higher quality when it comes to cat food products. This is not completely true, because gourmet cat food is not always offering a healthy balanced diet. Common brands of cat food can still create a balanced and healthy diet when mixed with the right ingredients. Cat owners should not assume that the gourmet brands are necessarily better.

Instead, they should consult their veterinarian to appraise which brand and food is ideal for each individual cat’s needs. This is the most ideal way to determine which type of cat food will best suit their needs nutritionally. While improved taste may be the greatest feature of many gourmet cat foods, gourmet cat food does not necessarily mean it contains improved nutrition.

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Are Natural Cat Foods Better

Article by Jessica Lane

When going into a pet store, the first thing that many people notice is that there are countless cat foods available. However, because many large companies are merely trying to offer enormous quantities of cat food instead of quality, not every cat food will offer the nutrients cats require so that they can live healthily.

So what constitutes the best kitten food available? According to experts, there must be a certain amount of protein, fat, minerals, vitamins and fiber in the cat food that cats ingest on a daily basis. Because most dry food consists of starch, unnecessary carbohydrates and glucose-laden foods, cats are not able to absorb the necessary nutrients required for optimum health.

To address the rising concern about the nutrients for cats, many “natural” dry cat foods have sprung up onto the market. Manufacturers say they understand that cats are carnivores by nature, so they must be treated as such. However, are these companies really addressing the concerns that come with nourishing domesticated cats?

Here are concerns with natural dry cat foods:

1. Water is removed from dry cat food.Dry food is unnatural in itself, and if it is laden down with grains, then there is nothing natural about it. Typically, cats are not going to remove water from their food, and they are not going to eat large amounts of grains. This is not healthy for cats.

2. Unnatural ingredients are used, and they make cats sick.In certain natural cat foods, the use of rosemary, brown rice and potatoes is typical. However, cats would not eat this if they had a choice. Oils are also sprayed on the food to help nutrients in the food have a longer shelf life, which can also have a negative impact on the cat’s digestive tract. In addition, additives are added to the food so that the cat’s stool order is cut down. This can shorten a cat’s life, cause severe illnesses or medical problems.

3. Feline nutrition is not truly considered.Sadly, there are many companies who are trying to sell natural foods for cats without having spent time studying what kind of nutrition felines actually need in their daily diet. Instead, these companies are looking to make a dollar, and they disregard the health of the animals that they are feeding. Primarily, cats need a low carb diet that is not processed and that is made for a carnivore to enjoy.

Because of these concerns with dry cat foods, many people who want their cats to have the most natural diet purchase pouch food for their pets. Because food that is pouched is mostly meat products, cats can eat the most natural option possible.

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Pet Supplies Online ? More Choices Better Prices

When was the last time that you visited your local pet store for pet supplies? Did you happen to notice while you were there, that the store was mostly filled up with pet cages filled with pets for sale? The reason for this is simple and that is that there is a lot more money to be made selling people pets then there is in selling them the supplies that they need for their pets.

Cheap and Convenient

Now there is a place that pet owners can shop that carries not only a complete choice in pet supplies, but the prices on them are reasonable as well. Its on the Internet and this is why more and more pet owners everywhere are now buying their pet supplies online. Also, not only is there a far wider selection of reasonably priced pet supplies online but shopping for them from your computer is far more convenient.

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Reliable Quality Pet Food

For exotic pet owners, shopping for pet supplies online is now the only way to go, because they have no trouble fulfilling all of the unique needs of their unusual pet. Also, finding the best high quality food for any type of pet is a breeze from most of the online sources for pet supplies. The need for reliable sources for pet food recently became glaringly important when it was discovered that Chinese pet food manufacturers had been adulterating some of their products with dangerous additives.

Readily Available for Convenient Regular Use

Keeping the proper medical necessities readily on hand for your pet is of the utmost importance for a happy and healthy animal. Regular flea, tick and worm treatments are a must and having the medicines that you need readily on hand makes this all the more easier. With easy and convenient sources for pet supplies online always at your fingertips on your computer, you never have to worry about going with out all of the essentials that are required for maintaining your furry friend.

Related Pet Supplies Articles

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Is Raw or Cooked Dog Food a Better Choice for Your Pet?

Feeding dogs raw food is a topic that has been hotly debated a great deal by its advocates and critics. The real issue that needs to be the topic of conversation is processed versus fresh food for dogs and not so much whether the food is raw or cooked.

But because of the unique qualities that characterize each of our pets, there are probably as many distinct nutritional requirements as there are dogs on the planet. With that said, I believe that pet nutrition, in order to keep your dog healthy, should be based on some common sense principles.

Principle #1: Only feed your dog ingredients that are packed with nutrients of the highest quality.

Principle #2: Your dog’s meals should be prepared in accordance with a precise formula so that the nutrition it provides is balanced and complete.

Principle #3: To retain as much of the nutrient value of the food as possible so that the nutrients are readily absorbed by your dog’s body, serve it food that is processed as little as possible.

Principle #4: Another way to preserve the food’s nutrient value and keep it from spoiling is to feed your dog immediately after the food is prepared.

I would really like to hear an explanation from anyone who does not agree with these common sense principles.

The degree to which your dog’s food is processed (Principle #3) is at the heart of the matter. The main reason why fresh food advocates like myself dislike processed dog food so much, whether it is canned or dry, is that the high temperatures required to manufacture commercial dog food destroys the nutrients in it. To rectify this problem, dog food manufacturers add synthetic vitamins to the food, artificial chemicals that a dog’s body has a hard time absorbing. “Organic” or “natural” kibble to me is an oxymoron, and I have a good laugh whenever I see those words on a dog food package because all of the valuable nutrients one would expect to find in organic or natural dog food are destroyed by the processing required to create commercial kibble.

Individuals who feed their dogs only raw food argue that any kind of processing, including light cooking, jeopardizes the food’s nutritional value. On the other hand, critics of the raw food diet would argue that dogs who eat it are more likely to consume pathogens such as E. coli and salmonella that are often found in uncooked meat. There is probably some value to each argument, but when deciding which way to go, you have to consider what you are going to give up by choosing one diet over the other.

The digestive system of a dog, according to trustworthy experts I have spoken with, is quite capable of handling the normal quantities of bacteria that may be found in uncooked meat. On the other hand, a lot of those same experts will tell you that only a small amount of damage occurs to nutrients that are the most sensitive to heat when meals are cooked lightly enough to get rid of any harmful pathogens.

Therefore, you really don’t have to make a choice between the two approaches. Each pet owners has to decide on his or her own what to feed their dogs.

A good rule of thumb to follow is to feed your dog food that has been processed as little as possible. Most dogs can handle eating raw food that has been subjected to no processing whatsoever.

But there are a few dogs who need to be fed cooked food because their sensitive digestive systems simply cannot break down raw food very easily. Nor should dogs that have a high risk of getting sick from pathogens be fed raw food, and this would include dogs whose immune systems are in a weakened state or who live with people who have weak immune systems. And then you have those finicky dogs who insist on eating only cooked food. The best way to go with these dogs is to serve them food that has been lightly cooked.

Approximately two thirds of our customers whom we surveyed report that they feed their dogs raw food, while a third of them serve cooked meals to their dogs. Not only did neither group report that their dogs suffered any health complications, but they also saw significant improvements in the health of their pets compared to when they were fed dry dog food.

Working up a lather over whether you should feed your dog cooked or raw food is unnecessary. It’s absolutely okay if you feel more at ease serving your dog food that you have lightly cooked. Do your best to avoid highly processed dry dog food and, instead, serve your pets fresh food, whether you cook it lightly or feed it to them raw.

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Taking Better Care Of Your Cat

A healthy animal makes for a happy pet. If you are a cat owner and you want to make your pet happy, you need to make sure that your cat is groomed properly, fed on time and is given enough love and attention.

Here are some tips on how you can have a healthy and happy cat:

1. Take care of your cat’s health.

As a pet owner, it is your responsibility to make sure that your cat is healthy and free from diseases that may even be transmitted to humans.

Visit the veterinarian if you notice that your cat has become lethargic or less active than usual.

If you see them ‘shedding’ excessively or has something unusual on their coat, immediately consult a professional.

Your cat might have a skin disease, or this could be a symptom of a sickness that you do not know about.

2. Groom your cat properly.

Cats are in the habit of grooming themselves. You will often see them using their tongue to clean their coat.

In spite of this, you should still do your part in grooming your cat if you want to keep them really clean.

Brush your cat’s fur regularly. There are several short-haired cats that need minimal brushing. For this, you can use a comb with soft bristles.

There are also cat breeds which have long, silky furs and this variety needs a much longer grooming time.

Use a wide-toothed comb initially then brush up with a fine toothed one afterwards. You can also use talcum powder in order to separate the hair strands.

Make sure that you brush with gentle strokes so that their skin will not be hurt or scratched.

Cats are also not that fond of taking a bath. But there are times when your cat would need bathing.

This is when they have accumulated a lot of dirt on the skin and coat. Bathing will help eliminate ticks and lice.

Also, there might be substances that could cling on the fur which can be poisonous and it is important for them to bathe.

When bathing your cat, use a shampoo that is specially made for cats. Do not be tempted to use your shampoo because of the great smell…it could have adverse effects on your cat’s skin and fur. Prepare the following before bathing:

-a small tub or sink
-slip-proof mat
-water spray attachment
-clean, dry towels
-shampoo
-comb

Adjust the water temperature, then place your cat in the small tub or sink before filling it up with water. It is better to attach a sprayer in the faucet rather than pouring water directly onto its body. Apply a liberal amount of shampoo on the cat’s body, and try to avoid the face, especially the eyes and ears.

After rinsing, towel them dry and comb the coat. Bathing time should build trust and create some quality time between you and your pet cat.

This should prevent your cat from making much of a fuss the next time it needs a bath.

Another part of grooming is keeping the eyes, teeth and ears clean. Also remember to keep the paws clean and the nails trimmed. Most cats can’t tolerate dirty paws and will lick them clean but they can’t yet trim their own nails.

Go to a pet store and you are sure to find products specially made to clean the eyes, teeth and ears. You can also look for a nail trimmer specifically designed to use on your pet cat.

Ask a professional groomer or a veterinarian so that you can learn how to properly clean your cat’s eyes, ears, teeth and nails.

3. Feed them on time.

Another aspect of keeping your cat happy and healthy is by feeding them well and on time.

Your feline friends can learn how to “stick” to a schedule with your guidance and training.

Make time in your busy day to feed them.

Along with homemade and natural cat food, you should give them plenty of clean water to drink.

If you have a lot of pet cats, give them individual feeding plates.

If there is just one dish, other cats might not be fed well because dominant felines will take the most part of the food that you serve. And a lot of cats are too finiky to eat after another one.

3. Shower them with love and attention.

By giving your cats your undivided attention while grooming and feeding them, you are already showering them with love and attention.

In addition to this, make their play time a lot more fun by appreciating the things that they do.

By following these tips, you are sure to have a healthy cat and be a contented owner.

Save your cat’s health and his life!

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When was the last time that you visited your local pet store for pet supplies? Did you happen to notice while you were there, that the store was mostly filled up with pet cages filled with pets for sale? The reason for this is simple and that is that there is a lot more money to be made selling people pets then there is in selling them the supplies that they need for their pets.

Cheap and Convenient

Now there is a place that pet owners can shop that carries not only a complete choice in pet supplies, but the prices on them are reasonable as well. Its on the Internet and this is why more and more pet owners everywhere are now buying their pet supplies online. Also, not only is there a far wider selection of reasonably priced pet supplies online but shopping for them from your computer is far more convenient.

Reliable Quality Pet Food

For exotic pet owners, shopping for pet supplies online is now the only way to go, because they have no trouble fulfilling all of the unique needs of their unusual pet. Also, finding the best high quality food for any type of pet is a breeze from most of the online sources for pet supplies. The need for reliable sources for pet food recently became glaringly important when it was discovered that Chinese pet food manufacturers had been adulterating some of their products with dangerous additives.

Readily Available for Convenient Regular Use

Keeping the proper medical necessities readily on hand for your pet is of the utmost importance for a happy and healthy animal. Regular flea, tick and worm treatments are a must and having the medicines that you need readily on hand makes this all the more easier. With easy and convenient sources for pet supplies online always at your fingertips on your computer, you never have to worry about going with out all of the essentials that are required for maintaining your furry friend.

Technorati Tags: better, Choices, More, Online, Prices, Supplies

Premium Pet Fod Pet Products and Dog Treats Are They Safe Or Does Pet Food Have To Be Organic To Meet The Heavy Demand Pet Owners Demand.

The better pet foods are usually holistic grade made from only humane grade foods,” say top Life’s Abundance Pet food formulator Dr Jane Bicks: professional holistic pet veterinarian.

In this pet food article about natural pet foods vs organic pets foods,” you will be able to make a clear decision as to which pet foods to buy and offer dog and cats nutrition the highest natural grades ever.

This website about wholesome pet food links point to HealthFoodsForPets.com and trust me the pet foods and premium pet food products are the best you’ll find.

In recent studies ran,”  natural pet foods where a huge favor over the very pricey organic wholefood products. The scale between these foods are measured by the ingredients and the types of foods used to create the pet foods rather organic or natural.

Infact natural pet foods or holistic foods use the exact if not even more high potency ingredient like kale, beets, brown rice, carrots, apple and non fatty foods. Natural pet foods have higher scores in most case studies says Dr Jane Bicks, as she examined many pet food labratories accross the USA.

Consumers all over America rely heavily on quality,” Life’s Abundance pet food brand is holistic” the closest you’ll ever get to an affordable organic pet food in today’s market.

So making a wise choice,’ holistic pet foods are just as healthy as organic,” the only difference ids the branding. You can rely on life’s abundance wholefoods dog products and buy them at low discounted price from HealthFoodsForPets.com.

This article is also marketed by some of Hawaii’s best natural foodist and the page here http://www.kauaimassages.com/all-natural-premium-pet-food/index.html

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I have a german shepherd puppy ( female, 11 weeks). Previously some other GSD owners suggested me use MAXI of Royal Canin. I already switched to this brand. But last week, after seeing vet for vaccine, vet suggested another brand Hill’s from Hill’s Pet Nutrition,inc. I was confussed, should I switch to Hill’s or stay with MAXI?

Technorati Tags: better, Food, german, puppy, shepherd

When was the last time that you visited your local pet store for pet supplies? Did you happen to notice while you were there, that the store was mostly filled up with pet cages filled with pets for sale? The reason for this is simple and that is that there is a lot more money to be made selling people pets then there is in selling them the supplies that they need for their pets.

Cheap and Convenient

Now there is a place that pet owners can shop that carries not only a complete choice in pet supplies, but the prices on them are reasonable as well. Its on the Internet and this is why more and more pet owners everywhere are now buying their pet supplies online. Also, not only is there a far wider selection of reasonably priced pet supplies online but shopping for them from your computer is far more convenient.

Reliable Quality Pet Food

For exotic pet owners, shopping for pet supplies online is now the only way to go, because they have no trouble fulfilling all of the unique needs of their unusual pet. Also, finding the best high quality food for any type of pet is a breeze from most of the online sources for pet supplies. The need for reliable sources for pet food recently became glaringly important when it was discovered that Chinese pet food manufacturers had been adulterating some of their products with dangerous additives.

Readily Available for Convenient Regular Use

Keeping the proper medical necessities readily on hand for your pet is of the utmost importance for a happy and healthy animal. Regular flea, tick and worm treatments are a must and having the medicines that you need readily on hand makes this all the more easier. With easy and convenient sources for pet supplies online always at your fingertips on your computer, you never have to worry about going with out all of the essentials that are required for maintaining your furry friend.

Technorati Tags: better, Choices, More, Online, Prices, Supplies