Frequently Asked Pet Food Questions

• Are there specific ingredients that I should avoid when selecting a dog food?
   
• More and more products advertise fresh vegetables. Are dogs supposed to have more vegetables in their diets?
   
• Isn’t crunchy food better for cleaning teeth?
   
• My dog scratches a lot, can this be from the food?
   
• How is commercial dry dog food made?
   
• Is it really bad to feed your dog table scraps?
   
• Do nutritional needs change as my dog gets older?
   
• Aren't all foods "human grade" ingredients basically the same?
   

Are there specific ingredients that I should avoid when selecting a dog food?

* Avoid "meals" and "by-products" - these are the leftover components after the animal has been processed for other higher grade products.
* Avoid preservatives - these may become toxic if consumed over a period of time, and have been linked to a variety of illnesses including cancer.
* Avoid "flavors" - this term indicates that no food product was used but only a substance that the dog can smell or taste.
* Avoid wheat, corn and soy, especially if your dog is exhibiting symptoms of "allergy" such as itching or scratching. While these are popular ingredients in many pet foods, they are less digestible for dogs and frequently processed to the point of being almost nutritionally worthless by the time they are added to pet food.

back to top

More and more products advertise fresh vegetables.  Are dogs supposed to have more vegetables in their diets?

While vegetables do contain beneficial nutrients, the levels of fat soluble vitamins (which are stored in their livers) are high and can become dangerous if excess amounts are consumed over a period of time. For example, a single carrot contains almost four times the recommended daily amount of Vitamin A for an average dog.  While fresh vegetables have better market appeal, a small amount of liver meets the same requirement for Vitamin A and is much easier for the dog to digest.

back to top

Isn’t crunchy food better for cleaning teeth?

When is the last time you skipped brushing your teeth because you ate something crunchy? Don't be fooled into believing that crunchy kibbles are effective in cleaning teeth.  All food quickly becomes soft enough to coat the teeth and gums.  Digestion begins in the mouth, and less digestible foods will remain in the dog's mouth and teeth for a longer period of time, allowing plaque and tartar to build. 
Good dental hygiene is just as important for your pet as it is for you, and there is no food that cleans teeth as well as a toothbrush.  Remember what your dentist always told you, "only brush the teeth you want to keep!" 

For more information on tooth brushing: 
http://video.about.com/vetmedicine/How-to-Brush-a-Dog-s-Teeth.htm
http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=2+1653&aid=384
http://www.placervillevet.com/dog%20toothbrushing.htm

back to top

My dog scratches a lot, can this be from the food?

Itchy skin is frequently caused by an imbalance in the fatty acids in the diet, or zinc deficiency.  Animal fats tend to be high in Omega-6 fatty acids, and supplementing the diet with Omega-3 may be helpful. However, the proper balance is critical.  Ensure that your dog's diet has the proper balance of all essential fatty acids.  And ensure that your food contains the recommended levels of minerals including zinc.

back to top

How is commercial dry dog food made?

There are many brand names to choose from, but relatively few companies who actually manufacture the dried pellets commonly referred to as "kibble".  The standard process is to combine the ingredients and then feed the mixture into large machines that bake them at high heat and extrude them into the hardened little kibbles.  These dried kibbles are supplied to the companies who add their own finishing touches (typically in the form of an oil spray containing vitamin and mineral supplements – and preservatives) and their own branding and labeling.

The following sites have more information how dog food is manufactured, and some things to watch out for:
http://www.bornfreeusa.org/facts.php?more=1&p=359
http://www.madehow.com/Volume-2/Pet-Food.html

back to top

Is it really bad to feed your dog table scraps?

It is all about good nutrition.  But just because a food is good for you doesn’t mean it is good for your dog, and some may even be toxic.
A bite of lean, freshly cooked meat can be a healthy, nutritious snack for your dog provided that you have not added any ingredients or spices that could be toxic.  A bite of baked potato can also be a healthy little treat provided that it has not been covered with butter, sour cream, or other favorite toppings.  As a rule, table scraps should not be used to supplement a pet's diet, but a few bites of lean meat may actually be healthier for your dog than many of the treats on the market today that are full of fat, poor quality ingredients and preservatives.

back to top

Do nutritional needs change as my dog gets older?

Marketing will tell you that every individual pet has its own particular need; however, AAFCO has determined only two basic standards for dog food:  maintenance for adult dogs, and gestation/lactation and growth for moms and puppies.  Some dogs have a naturally higher metabolism than others, and these more active pets require more calories and nutrients to fuel their increased energy requirements.  This is why the AAFCO bases the nutritional requirements on nutrients per kilogram of weight.  There are two options for feeding the older or less active dog while maintaining their ideal weight: one is to simply feed less food; the other is to switch to a food with fewer overall calories but with the adjusted nutritional content.

Many companies recommend glucosamine and/or chondroitin supplements for older dogs to improve their joint health; however, until standards are established for these, or we see more conclusive evidence that they are beneficial with no side effects or other health concerns, we are not including these in our standard formulas.  

back to top

Aren't all foods "human grade" ingredients basically the same?

These are important terms because they refer to the quality of the ingredients, which is the key to your pet's overall health. 

More and more pet foods are claiming to contain "human grade" ingredients. Unfortunately, there are pet food companies claiming to use "human grade" ingredients, while only some of their ingredients are the higher grade.   Look for statements that ALL ingredients are USDA/FDA restaurant grade or human grade and that their food is produced in a USDA or FDA compliant facility.