One of the most important parts of being a pet owner is the food choice of your beloved animal. Many in this world would just feed them whatever was available in their area. Sometimes, it might even be human food that is supposed to go waste. It is stemmed from the belief that they can eat practically anything at all.
However, many veterinarians and animal experts say that this should not be the case. Animals have their diets to follow, and that does not usually include what we eat. It is important to establish this with domesticated animals though, as they might follow our own. Cats and dogs fall into this kind of trap, but more so with the latter.
Dogs have always been a part of the development of man. From the cavemen days up to the world of the internet, they have integrated themselves into our lifestyles. We may have bred them depending on their physical traits and mental abilities. However, this might be the reason why we have a species that has been an integral part of our society.
As they have descended from the wolves, dogs do need protein in the form of meat. They need it to strengthen their muscles and tissues. However, through the years of development, they became omnivores.
As such, they can eat plant-based food, but they still need some meat into their bones. According to this post, this is why it might be harmful to the dog if he or she went full vegan. Read full article here: https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20200304-can-you-feed-cats-and-dogs-a-vegan-diet#:~:text=%E2%80%9CThey%20can’t%20digest%20plant,from%20creating%20vegan%20cat%20food.
Going the “Natural” Way
These days though, pet owners are more dependent on dog food. It is more convenient because every nutrient that your canine friend needs is already in every serving. No more fussing around chopping meat and vegetables as that takes too much time. However, there is still the question of choice. Which is better, organic or non-organic food?
Yes, there are now options for organic dog food. These are advertised to have little to no additives and preservatives. Everything is produced naturally and generally safe from any kind of man-made chemicals that can potentially harm your pet in the long run. It is also great for picky eaters since it does resemble natural food, unlike the pellets. Some brands even try to incorporate real meat and other related products.
One of the most important ways to know whether the product is organic is through the label. Based on international health and food standards, any kind of food product should be labeled appropriately. Otherwise, this can lead to more issues regarding the ingredients. You can look at here for more information. Once it is labeled as organic, then you are already 50% sure that it is already the case.
On the other hand, you can also check the ingredient list. It should have a protein source as the first ingredient since this position is reserved for the most abundant in the product. If it has a lot of carbohydrates, then it might all be filler. It can satiate your dog’s hunger, but it will not have any kind of nutrients that would benefit their growth and development.
Another important topic that you need to tackle while choosing an organic brand is the other ingredients on that list. For example, it can affect your pet if carbohydrates are abundant in the product. It can lead to health issues if they eat the same thing for a long time. On the other hand, some products do label themselves as organic but they still use unnatural food sources.
The Choice is Yours
If you are truly looking for an organic dog food source, then it would be best to look for it at specialty pet stores. These are not readily available in your local supermarket, but some do these days. Also, you can check out online to see other choices that might still be a great source for your dog’s daily nutrition.
Meanwhile, many studies have concluded that there is not much of a difference between organic and non-organic food. Although they are processed quite differently, they would still give the same effect to the animal. It is also usually more expensive because of the “organic” label. To be sure, visit your veterinarian and ask him or her about the best choices so that you can still take care of them without breaking the budget.
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