lundi 5 décembre 2016

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12 Facts You Never Knew About Pet Food

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When I first rescued my dog Pancho, I thought I was doing the right thing by feeding him a premium dry food. I had no idea that the kibble I was giving him contained all sorts of, for lack of a better word . . . crap! Since then I've learned so much more about the right way to feed your dog, from my experience as a certified canine nutritionist and co-founder of Ollie. I've seen the real difference that giving Pancho healthier ingredients can make, and want to share some of the tips that I've picked up with fellow pet parents who only want the best for their pups.

  1. Stick to protein rich not wheat diets.
    Diets higher in protein and lower in wheat and processed grains (as found in most shelf stable commercial pet foods) will result in more energy for your dog and lower GI problems.
  2. Wash your dog's food and water bowl regularly.
    People easily forget about the cleanliness of their dogs bowl and how it can effect their pets health. Most of us would never think about using the same soup or salad bowl for a week straight without washing it but many let their dogs' bowl sit on the floor without thinking twice. This allows bacteria to grow and cause illness from contaminated dishes from a mild upset stomach to vomiting and diarrhea. Make sure to wash your dog's bowl daily with dish soap and rinse thoroughly!
  3. Buy Human-grade dog food.
    Most dog foods are classified as Feed and although the pet food industry is currently a $25 billion dollar business, we found that kibble is legally made from 4D meat: meat from dead, dying, diseased and disabled animals. Human-grade ensures not only a quality of ingredients that go into the food as edible by humans but also ensures food safety standards of the facility it is cooked in.
  4. Beware of meat with accompanying word "meal."
    Meat meal, labeled on dog food ingredient lists such as "chicken meal" and "beef meal," is a nicer way of saying it is rendered meat. Render plants process animal by-product and can include materials such as grease, blood, feather, and entire carcasses in the meals.
  5. Fresh food is better.
    Canned and kibble food go through such extreme processing to make it shelf stable that most of the natural nutrients are killed. To compensate a ton of synthetic, vitamins and minerals are added back to the diet as well as artificial flavoring so the dog will eat the kibble. Just like humans, dogs feel the difference when they eat meals made from real ingredients. They are easier able to absorb nutrients from more gently processed food and thus utilize them to stay healthy. Look for brands, such as myollie.com, that gently cooks the ingredients to preserve all the nutrients.
  6. Find the perfect portion.
    Studies have shown that if you keep your dog at an ideal weight (a 4 or 5 on the body composition score) as opposed to even pleasantly plump (a 6 or 7) you can add 20% to their life! (who doesn't want more time with their dog?!) Most dog food brands give a range based on just your dog's current weight but not knowing your dog's unique attributes it can sometimes be up to 50 percent more than your dog should be eating. Consult with your vet, or fill out your Ollie profile and use our algorithm to figure out your dog's unique caloric requirements and keep them healthier for longer.
  7. Steer clear of preservatives.
    To extend the shelf life of food (allowing it to sit on a store shelf for months if not years), most commercial pet food brands that go through retailers as opposed to directly to consumers are forced to put a bunch of preservatives in their food. While natural preservatives exist, such as rosemary extract, many artificial preservatives can be toxic to dogs if used over a long period of time. We found out that some preservatives used double as pesticides (gross)! They are not permitted in the UK but are still legal in the US to be used in dog foods.
  8. Foods to never feed your dog.
    Most people are aware that chocolate is bad for dogs. However, you should also stay clear of onions, grapes and raisons, macademia nuts, and bones! Bones can break and sliver and can puncture your dogs intestinal track or cause them to choke. Dogs are not wolves: Yes dogs descended from wolves and share around 98 percent of the DNA but that does not mean they require the same diet nor do they require a raw diet. There have been no studies showing dogs would be healthier on a raw diet. However, there are dangers associated with a raw diet for both dogs and humans. Like any raw meats they can carry pathogens that can cause food poisoning.
  9. Dogs are not wolves.
    Yes, dogs descended from wolves and share around 98 percent of the DNA, but that does not mean they require the same diet, nor do they require a raw diet. There have been no studies showing dogs will be healthier on a raw diet, and there are dangers associated with it for both dogs and humans. Like any raw meats, they can carry pathogens that can cause food poisoning.
  10. Home cooking is harder than you think.
    Ensuring your dog is well nourished with human-grade does not just mean feed your dog food that you would eat or leftovers from dinner. Because dogs eat the same thing every meal it is extra important that their food is nutritionally balanced. We heard all the time from people that they cook ground meat with peas and rice but there can be key elements missing for your dog's health (or too much of some). A balanced diet must meet all of dogs essential vitamin, mineral, and amino acid requirements. It is best to either consult a vet and get a specific recipe to follow or chose a food that meets AAFCO requirements.
  11. Keep your dog hydrated.
    Generally speaking, dogs need between a half and a full ounce of water per pound of body weight each day. If your dog is active or lives in hot climates, maybe more.
  12. Let Ollie do the work for you!
    Ollie delivers freshly made, vet-formulated meals from real, human-grade ingredients that make dogs' tastebuds do backflips. Their refrigerated food is gently cooked in a USDA-regulated kitchen to ensure the highest quality of nutrition and safety! They tailor each meal to your dog's one-of-a-kind needs and send it bi-monthly directly to your doorstep.


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