by Jade Skyye

Created on: March 23, 2009

'Nutritionalize' Your Dog

Reading the ingredients list on pet food products is like reading a foreign language (that you are not familiar with). The first thing to consider is that your dog is a carnivore, a meat-eater, and most likely craves meat. Typically, ingredients listed on the various pet food product labels begin with the most abundant source, by weight, and continues for each ingredient in decreasing levels. One big problem is not knowing what an item is and not being able to pronounce a lot of those items. Another downfall of pet food labels is that there are no amounts listed beside the ingredients, so no exact figures can be calculated. It's impossible to know just how much of any one ingredient the food contains.

The most important component of a dog's diet is protein, preferably by meat source. Corn gluten meal and amino-acid-rich soy flour also boost protein levels. Protein supports the immune system and enhances tissue health by supplying amino acids to the body. Beef and chicken provide the best pure animal-protein source. Avoid choosing meats immediately followed by "meal" and/or "by-product meal" on food labels, these describe meat leftover and waste products cooked at high temperatures.

Carbohydrates, in-general, are known for supplying energy to the body. Carbs with fiber-rich grains such as brown rice, oats, and barley help with digestion function.

Natural fats from beef, chicken, and/or eggs is most beneficial to pet health. Sources of fat are necessary to get the omega-3 fatty acids that promote heart health, reduce inflammation and result in a shiny coat.

Complete Natural Nutrition, by Apperon, offers "Real Food Toppers", "Terrabone", and "Cheese Please" treats for dogs. It promises 100% natural U.S. sourced ingredients, human grade, no fillers, no artificial ingredients, no junk calories, no animal by-products and is simply stated by, less is more.
Real Food Toppers is 100% pure human-grade meat gently freeze-dried. They contain no grains, no corn, no soy, no wheat, no sugar, no carbs and very low salt.
Terrabone is made of USDA certified organic brown rice as it's first ingredient. There is no wheat, no gluten, no corn and no soy, no animal by-products, no added salt, sugar, chemical preservatives, and no artificial flavors or colors. Terrabone has zero trans-fat and zero saturated fat.
Cheese Please is real Wisconsin cheese produced with low salt and almost no lactose. The result is natural goodness with no sugar, no grains, no wheat, no corn and no soy. Each nugget is 100% baked cheese and has only 3 calories.

Help your dog have a long and healthy life by giving them the high-quality foods with human-grade ingredients that they deserve. After all, they are our best friends, family members, and cherished companions.

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