What is the best diet for your dog?

Pet owners want to provide their dogs with the very best diet available, but conflicting information can often be a cause of confusion. How much protein should a dog get? What dog food is the best and/or the most healthy?

The natural diet of a dog is one that is high in protein and high in water. Just as we consider the case for ourselves, scientists also say that ensuring your dog eats a good variety of whole foods is very important to gain the most in terms of nutritional value.

Traditional tinned or dried dog food is a popular method of feeding our pets however not all the products on the market provide a good balanced meal. Just like pre-packed and processed food for humans there can sometimes be a few nasties lurking in some brands that should be avoided if possible.

• There should be no generic fat listed in the ingredients. Look for sources such as “chicken fat” or “lamb meal” instead of “meat meal”.
• Avoid foods that use corn gluten meal, a cheap waste product from the human food industry that provides incomplete protein for dogs.
• Another sign of low quality food is that which contains BHA, BHT or Ethoxyquin which are all artificial preservatives. Likewise avoid products with artificial colours, sugars and sweeteners such as corn syrup, sucrose or propylene glycol.
• A whole-meat source should be one of the very first ingredients on the label, if not there could be too many grains and too little meat contained within.

There isn’t really one definitive “best diet” for a dog. The trick is to ensure your pet receives a variety of foods. Try choosing 2 or 3 different brands of dog food that use different protein sources and every so often, rotate. Adding fresh foods into the diet will also undoubtedly have a positive effect. Fresh wholesome items to be included could be eggs, raw meat (or cooked), canned fish and even healthy leftovers from your own meals such as vegetables.

Do any of you have tips or suggestions about the ideal diet for a dog? If you have any comments, please feel free to add them below.

Do animals benefit from eating organic?

All owners want healthy, happy pets, but it is often wondered whether the additional cost of providing your pet with wholesome food made from all natural ingredients is worth it. Does it really provide additional benefits that traditional tinned and dry food cannot?

The truth is that natural food, free from additives and artificial flavours, does offer benefits to animals. It is especially appropriate for dogs and cats that suffer from any skin problems or allergies. Medicated shampoos and lotions can often offer some relief to irritating conditions, but to really give a helping hand in the matter, all natural pet foods gives your pet the best chance of ridding itself of skin conditions and allergies in the long term. Food that is free from additives and toxins boosts the immune system of animals in much the same way that natural food does for humans due to the increased nutritional value. With a strong immune system, animals can throw off problems such as itchy coats and other irritations more easily.

Furthermore, a nutritionally balanced diet that is free from animal by-products and other additives will give your pet an added boost of vitality and energy. It will also prevent weight gain for your pet as no “bulk fillers” are present in all natural food. Being overweight can lead to just as many problems for animals as it can for people......diabetes, hip and back problems and even organ failure are amongst the possible dangers.

There are many varieties of all natural food, but mostly they are made using a single source of meat protein such as turkey, duck or lamb combined with a mixture of carbohydrates such as rice, oats and barley. These ingredients are very delicate on the digestion of animals and reduce the chance of them contracting digestive disorders.

If any of you have recently switched to all natural food for your pet, please feel free to send in your comments below. Have you noticed a difference in the overall health of your pet? Has a previously balding and itchy coat returned to its glossy and shiny appearance? Let us know if you think all natural food is worth the extra cost.

The importance of routine flea and worm treatment for dogs and cats

Routine worm and flea treatment is absolutely essential for your pet dogs and cats for a number of reasons. Fleas are a nuisance for your pet and cause itching and discomfort, not to mention the fact that they will begin appearing around your home. Fleas are blood suckers and if you find one, you can rest assured there are plenty more in the vicinity!

Some dogs are very sensitive to flea saliva and just one small bite will lead your pet to unbearable itchiness all over its body. When a dog has been severely scratching for some time, the skin can begin to thicken and the hair can start to fall out. Raw skin on pets is prone to bacterial infection. Flea treatments are easy to purchase so any severe problems caused by fleas can be avoided easily.

Fleas can also cause the spread of tapeworms to your pet which is another serious problem if left untreated. The presence of worms in dogs and cats is common but fortunately easy to treat and prevent. There are 5 different types of dog worms which exist as internal parasites. They are called heartworm, hookworm, roundworm, tapeworm and whipworm. Is very important that regular preventative treatment is given, as some worms, namely the roundworm and hookworm can actually be transferred to humans.

Whilst some worm infestations don’t produce tell tale signs within your pet, some infestations cause the coat to become dull, weight loss and appetite loss, a pot-bellied appearance, diarrhoea, vomiting and lack of energy. If any of these signs appear, it is important that a worming tablet be administered or in serious cases your pet is taken to the vet.

VioVet can help if you would like more information about how to prevent and treat your pet for worms or fleas. As a leading retail site set up in conjunction with a professional veterinary practice, VioVet provides medications and other pet care products along with a wealth of information. Have any of your pets suffered from fleas or worms? What is the best treatment you have discovered for ensuring your pet remains free from these pests? Leave all your comments below.