Dog Foods

Help in making the choice easier

High Quality food in = Less poop out..

Please check out the dog food project: PDF File

Definition: Dog Food Rollercoaster - that ride dog owners take trying to find the "perfect" food for their dogs. Just about the time you think you found one, something goes wrong and you're back at the pet food store, looking at labels trying to decide what to feed next.

Spend any time at the pet store lately and the choices of foods to feed your dog is enough to make your head spin. How do you know if a food is right for your dog? Unfortunately, you don't until you try it. There are some basics that I recommend. Sorry, but due to the conditions of today's litigation happy world, I need insert the disclaimer (aka: Legal Mumbo Jumbo) here:

These are the recommendations of the owner of Poochini Pet Salon only. These recommendations are for the sole purpose of educating the dog owner. Use these recommendations at your own risk.

Where to start

First off, READ THE LABELS! You can learn a lot about foods, by just reading the label. You don't need a masters degree in nutrition to understand what you're seeing.

Premium Natural Food will NOT CONTAIN any of these ingredients:

Butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) and butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT): There’s no getting around it – dry dog food requires preservatives to prevent spoiling. Natural brands tend to use healthier choices such as vitamin C (ascorbate) and vitamin E (mixed tocopherols), though they provide a much shorter shelf life. By contrast, synthetic preservatives BHA and BHT can extend shelf life to as long as one year. There is concern, however, about studies that have suggested they are carcinogenic.

Ethoxyquin: Another chemically synthesized preservative whose long-term safety in dogs has not been studied. Some reports have noted impaired liver and kidney function. Though the U.S. Food and Drug Administration concluded the additive does not pose a health threat, in 1997 the government agency reduced the amount of ethoxyquin permitted in dog food.

Propylene glycol: This clear, colorless liquid is used in some semi-moist foods to prevent them from drying out. It may be toxic if consumed in large amounts, causing central nervous system impairment and changes in kidney function. Propylene glycol is also the basis for less-toxic antifreeze used in dairies and breweries.

Propyl gallate: This fine white powder is an antioxidant that helps keep the fats and oils in a food from spoiling. In humans, it can cause stomach and skin irritation.

Coloring agents (such as Red 40 and Yellow 5): Manufacturers use these and other “food, drug, or cosmetic colors” to enhance the appearance of dog foods. More health-conscious brands seek out natural ingredients, such as carrots, for color-enhancement.

Phosphoric acid: This clear liquid is sometimes used as an emulsifier and flavoring agent. It also inhibits discoloration. But concentrated amounts can irritate dogs' skin and mucous membranes.

Sorbitol: A popular synthetic sugar substitute, sorbitol is used as a flavoring agent. If eaten in large amounts, it can cause diarrhea and intestinal upset in dogs.

Dl-alpha tocopheryl acetate: Vitamin E is commonly used as a preservative in natural dog foods. This synthetic form of the vitamin is not as readily absorbed by the body as its natural counterpart (mixed tocopherols). 

Menadione sodium bisulfate vitamin K3: This synthetic version of vitamin K is sometimes also listed as menadione dimethyl-pyrimidinol bisulfate, menadione dimethyl-pyrimidinol bisulfite, and several other variations. Critics contend it is an unnecessary ingredient in dog food, and reports indicate it can irritate mucous membranes, respiratory passages, and the skin.

Secondly I recommend staying away from any food that contains corn, wheat, soy or any form of gluten.  Also stay away from foods that have dye (food colors) in them. Since most breeds tend to be allergy prone, I shy away from anything that is a known allergen and the above ingredients are number one on the list. I too have to change my food periodically and with multiple dogs, I often have to feed several different types of food to my fur kids.

A word about free feeding: DON'T! I never recommend free feeding (just leaving food in the bowl for your dog to eat at their leisure) First off you will never know what amount of food your dog eats daily. If your dog isn't feeling well the first thing they do is stop eating. If you just refill the bowl every day you never know how much or if they ate at all. With homes with multiple dogs eating out of each others bowls, you don't know who ate what and thus you may get a dog that over eats and one that under eats due to pack status.  Dogs should eat on a schedule. Usually twice a day. Once in the morning and once in the evening. When you have breakfast, put your dog's food down and give them 15 minutes to eat. If they haven't finished, pick up the bowl anyway and discard the food. When you have dinner again put your dogs food down and allow them 15 minutes to eat. Any remaining food discard. The longer the food sits out the longer it is exposed to airborne bacteria and it looses its nutritional content.  For multiple dog homes, feed your dogs separately, in different rooms if you have to or in their own crates. Once your dog(s) get used to the routine they will begin to eat all their food when it is put down, and they will look forward to their meal time. Your dog won't starve adjusting to the new routine, in fact it will actually make them eat and process their food much more efficiently. You will need to stick to feeding your dog according to their appetite, activity level and lifestyle, but DO NOT OVER FEED! Obese dogs have more skin, eyes, ear and overall health problems than a dog at a healthy weight!

I don't recommend feeding an all caned food diet. Dogs need to chew the hard kibble to help keep tarter on their teeth at bay. You can mix a table spoon of wet food to their meals but keep it in moderation. Again stick with a pure holistic form of such as frozen raw instead of canned!

Foods that I recommend: Primarily these are the foods that I rotate with. All are natural based, corn, wheat and soy free. A little more expensive but worth it in the long run, with better health comes less vet visits ! I rotate the foods so that my dogs can enjoy a variety of flavors and nutritional content. You wouldn't want to eat the same thing every day for your entire life, would you?

Many of these companies also have all  natural holistic treats available. If you are going to feed a high quality food don't skimp on the cost of the treats! Maintain their good health by feeding premium treats. Raw frozen bones are a wonderful way for your dog to satisfy their chewing urge. Stay away from processed bones, rawhide treats and bones (they never fully digest and can get lodged in the intestines causing illness and death), there are better alternatives, such as natural hooves, pigs ears, cows ears etc. Just read the ingredients.  All these wonderful alternatives can be purchased at your local specialty pet retailer, or ask us to order them for you at the salon!

Violet loves her Bananas!! Friuts and Vegetables are wonderful for your dog. I feed a variety of raw fruits and veggies mixed in with my kibble. I also include either a probiotics supplement or Acidophilus supplement. All natural Yogurt or Kiefer is also a great way to help keep your dogs intestinal tract functioning at it's peak. Too much yeast overgrowth is the main reason cockers or lop eared dogs get ear infections. By keeping them on a great vitamin supplement like the NuVet and also adding the biotics, yogurt, kefir and raw fruits and veggies will keep your dogs coat beautiful and help keep them healthy from the inside out.  Raw carrots also work wonderfully to help keep your dogs teeth clean, feed them as treats in pieces (or small baby carrots) or give them a whole one like you would a bone!

What is your dog drinking??

Your dogs drinking water should match the standards you set for yourself. If you've decided not to drink your homes tap water, don't give it to your dog.

Tap water may contain toxins such as lead, bacteria, and carcinogens like radon and arsenic. For a simple solution consider a water filtration system, distiller or a reverse osmosis maker for all your families drinking needs.

High quality water can help your dogs sore tendons and arthritis by flushing out inorganic mineral deposits, which can result in inflammation and pain. To compensate for the low mineral levels in filtered water keep up with the NUVET supplements and feed raw fruits and vegetables .

If you live with in 100 miles of a nuclear power plant, your drinking water may contain additional contaminants. Find a good source of bottled, distilled or reverse osmosis water to help preserve your family and your pets good health.