Dogs
by Carrie Boyko, CEB
As an NBInsider I strive to bring you helpful information about your pet food and information and news about Natural Balance products. Read my recent article on How to Choose a Dog Treat here.
- Reading Pet Food Labels
by Carrie Boyko, CEB © AllThingsDogBlog.com Food Deliveries are the Best!Let's be clear right from the get go. I'm not a pet food expert, just an educated consumer. Today I'm going to share some of the best tips for selecting your dog's...
- Dogs With Food Allergies: Novelty Protein Dog Food
The StoryI have a boxer, bull mastiff mix named Leo, who struggles with itching and scratching all the time. It got to the point to where I felt so bad for him not only because he's my best friend but because I can tell he was uncomfortable. I finally...
- Bone Meal For Dogs
Planning for the correct dog food is very important and there are many things that have to be taken into consideration while doing so. Canines and feline in general, have different nutritional needs than that of the humans. Dog food also differs...
- High Protein Dog Food
Dogs are very active creatures and they need a high protein diet to maintain that level of activity. However, care should also be taken that you don't overfeed your pet dog with proteins, as that can cause problems too. A wholesome balanced diet...
- Dog Food Ratings - Top 10 Dog Foods
Are you one of those confused pet owners who wanders down the aisles of your local supermarket looking for the best food for your dog? Buying the best dog food is crucial for the health and well-being of your furry friend, and it all depends on the...
Dogs
Fast Fact About Pet Food
by Carrie Boyko, CEB
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| Did You Know? |
I hear from readers quite frequently with similar questions about the word "meal" on their dog food label. According to Wikipedia and AAFCO (American Association of Feed Control Officials), a meal is an ingredient which has been ground or otherwise reduced in particle size. That definition works for some folks, but others ask the next obvious question: What do they include in the meal?
Edible meals include clean, dry animal flesh and skin--sometimes bone. I hate to get too graphic, but I want to be clear. The process starts with whole carcasses of animal, but there are no heads, feet, entrails or feathers included. Once the meal is made, the nutritional value changes dramatically. Protein in a chicken meal, for example, is condensed to 65% with only 10% water, resulting in a healthy ingredient for Fido.
So why am I telling you all this? Look at your dog food's ingredient label. You'll often see a Chicken Meal (beef, lamb, etc) ingredient in the first 3 items listed. The purpose of this is to amplify the protein content of the food, especially when a fresh meat is included first. You see, fresh meat includes such a large amount of liquid that the actual nutritional value is limited by this water content.
That said, if your pet food label includes a fresh (or frozen) meat on the ingredient list, it needs to include a meal to supplement the nutrition. Water is heavy, yet adds little to the healthfulness of the recipe. Since food is sold by weight, water changes nutritional readings dramatically, when present.
The well-respected Whole Dog Journal recommends that your dog food include a specific meal (Chicken Meal, not meat meal, for example) if the ingredient list starts with a fresh meat. This criteria is included as one of their "Hallmarks of Quality". Food for thought!
- Reading Pet Food Labels
by Carrie Boyko, CEB © AllThingsDogBlog.com Food Deliveries are the Best!Let's be clear right from the get go. I'm not a pet food expert, just an educated consumer. Today I'm going to share some of the best tips for selecting your dog's...
- Dogs With Food Allergies: Novelty Protein Dog Food
The StoryI have a boxer, bull mastiff mix named Leo, who struggles with itching and scratching all the time. It got to the point to where I felt so bad for him not only because he's my best friend but because I can tell he was uncomfortable. I finally...
- Bone Meal For Dogs
Planning for the correct dog food is very important and there are many things that have to be taken into consideration while doing so. Canines and feline in general, have different nutritional needs than that of the humans. Dog food also differs...
- High Protein Dog Food
Dogs are very active creatures and they need a high protein diet to maintain that level of activity. However, care should also be taken that you don't overfeed your pet dog with proteins, as that can cause problems too. A wholesome balanced diet...
- Dog Food Ratings - Top 10 Dog Foods
Are you one of those confused pet owners who wanders down the aisles of your local supermarket looking for the best food for your dog? Buying the best dog food is crucial for the health and well-being of your furry friend, and it all depends on the...