Organic dog food and “buying and feeding” guidelines

1. Raw organic food

Complete and balanced raw dog food should consist of 80 percent muscle meat and 20 percent organ meat preferably from the same species used for the meat and little amount of calcium. Each type of raw meat, say chicken, beef or lamb, should preferably include same-species ground raw bone.

2. Mixed food

While choosing the premixed dog food for your dog you must be careful because many of premixed food brands contain grain which is a known source of allergy in dog. Pre mixed dog food contains organic dried vegetables, fruits and herbs, which generally requires the addition of organic meat and water to reconstitute the meal to feed your dog.

3. Partial organic food

It will save some money as it is little bit cheaper but it will provide a healthy meal for their dog.  It is 70% organic. Partial organic foods  includes fruits and vegetables, and the meat is “human-grade” that means only whole foods are used—not animal parts, like beaks or claws, which have no nutritional value.

4. Dry organic food

The best a dry kibble can achieve is 95 percent organic, meaning that the ingredients must “contain at least 95 percent organic ingredients, not including added water and salt,” according to the Dog Food Project. If the dry kibble meets these standards, the product label can display “USDA certified organic.”

Buying of organic food

While you buy organic food for your dog you should keep in mind the following things.

1. Organic foods and natural foods for dogs are different. Natural does not always imply organic. So go through the label carefully on the package to find it out that food is organic.

2. Checking expiration date is essential while you buy organic foods for your dog because sometimes products remain on sleeves after the expiration date due to the lack of seriousness of the vendor. It will eliminate the unnecessary hassle of having to return expired products.

3. Do not purchase a whole big amount of food at first time. First buy a small amount then check whether you dogs like it or not.  If your dog does not like then change the brand.

4. Buy only from special store of pet food. They have a big collection of different brand to choose.

5. If possible buy your dog’s food from veterinary offices. It may cost a little bit more but the food Contain very high-quality ingredients.

6. While buying your dog’s food buys a big amount. It will save some money as well as time because you need not have to run to the store every now and then.

Guidelines for feeding your dog

Change brands or flavors of dry food every three to four months to avoid deficiencies or excesses of ingredients which may be problematic for your dog.

With any new food or supplement, watch for subtle changes in your dog’s skin and coat, appetite, energy level, mood, itchiness, discharges or odors, body weight, and the size and consistency of stool. If negative changes occur, try a different food. If the change persists, consult your veterinarian.

If your dog is on a prescription diet, check with your veterinarian periodically (at least every 6 months) to make sure the diet is still correct. Many conditions resolve over time, and a diet that was needed for a younger dog may be inappropriate when she is older.

It is usually preferable to feed one or two meals per day rather than leaving food out all the time. However, some medical conditions require more frequent feeding. Check with your veterinarian about recommendations for your dogs.

Feed some canned food, which generally contains more protein and less grain than dry foods. Plain dry food does not clean the teeth and is not an essential for either cats or dogs.

Supplement all commercial dog foods with other foods, such as organic meats and steamed, pureed or finely grated vegetables (most cannot be very well digested by carnivores raw). Dogs may be supplemented with tofu and cooked grains. If you are supplementing more than 15-20% of the diet, however, you will need to consult one of the many available books or websites for information on balancing vitamins, minerals and other nutrients.

Changes in appetite, coat quality, weight, stool, urine, or water consumption may signal a problem with the food, or a more serious medical problem. Report these or any other unusual changes or behaviors to your veterinarian.

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