What You Should Know About Organic Dog Food
After extensive pet food recalls, in the past few years many dog owners are turning to organic dog. However, just like any other choice you make for your furry friend, it is crucial to know exactly what you are and are not getting when you purchase organic dog food.
Many pet owners are asking the following questions about their organic pet food choices-
- Is it completely free of toxic pesticides and insecticides, chemical preservative and additives, and artificial flavors and colors?
- Are the meat sources that were used hormone and antibiotic-free and were they too fed pesticide-free grains?
- Are the fruits and vegetables that were used also organically grown?
You may be surprised to learn that it is, actually legal for manufacturers to label their products as "organic," even though there are no organic ingredients within it. For this reason alone, it becomes even more important pet owners to know what they are buying, if they are choosing organic pet food for their dog.
The bottom line is that even though the legal definitions, and related issues surrounding the manufacture, and labeling of organic dog food, have yet to be completely worked out, the products that are currently out there are considered to be of extremely high quality. Animal experts stress that they are well worth trying, even before the specific regulations are finally implemented. Pet owners, who are interested in organic dog food, are urged to do their homework, and compare lists of ingredients, just as you would for "traditional" dog foods. It is important to keep in mind that some organic dog foods might contain only one, or two organic items, while others are made entirely of organic ingredients.
There's no denying that the current cost of feeding an organic canine diet is far more than a "non-organic" one. However, it should be noted that dog owners who do feed their pet's organic meals often report significant improved health, and greatly reduced medical bills, that result from such a diet. Whether that is due to the organic food's "less toxic" nature or its' reported immune-enhancing capabilities is yet to be decided!
It should be noted, that commercially made organic foods, for a variety of sizes and types of dogs, are currently available in a variety of forms. These organic dog foods are in both the hard and soft variety, as well as grain-free, and vegetarian ones. There are even choices that make raw organic diets also possible.
Some devoted pet owners have turned to organic, home cooking for their dog. This will obviously allow the pet owner, to have the greatest amount of control over the exact organic composition of their food. You may be surprised to learn that this is not as time consuming, as many pet owners often assume. In addition, there are numerous sources of information to make the process easier (canine cookbooks and online discussion groups) and make information readily accessible.
It is always recommended, that regardless of what organic diet, you choose for your beloved dog, before you make any changes, you should check with their veterinarian about what organic foods might be best. This is because your dog might have specific health issues that need to be addressed with proper nutrition, and/or additional supplementation.
Many animal experts feel that regardless if your dog is currently healthy, or dealing with various medical issues, organic dog food truly might be the best medicine for him/her to live a long and happy life. For dog owners who cherish their pets, feeding their canine companion an organic diet just might be the right choice, for all concerned.
More Dog Health
« When the Family Dog Doubles as a Lifesaver | Only Dog Beds | Unique Homemade Dog Treats »