Thứ Tư, 29 tháng 4, 2020

What Is Chicken Meal In Dog Food? 

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One of the most frustrating things about pet foods is trying to understand the ingredients. Some people try to decipher the languages on the list of ingredients without much success and end up doing guesswork or assuming they know what they are reading. One of the most common components in dog food ingredients is chicken meal.

What Is Chicken Meal In Dog Food

The confusing part is that the ingredients coms as a meal and not as a whole chicken. Is chicken meal a fancy way of saying the recipe contains chicken, or is it a different ingredient all together? In this article, we help to demystify the chicken meal ingredient in dog food list of ingredients.

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What is chicken meal?

What is chicken meal

Chicken meal is not chicken meat making it a completely different ingredient. The ingredient differs from chicken in that it comes as a dehydrated and defatted ingredient. Compared to regular chicken, a chicken meal does not contain significant amounts of water. The chicken ingredient in dog food is deboned chicken, which comes off the chicken carcass.

A good example is the thanksgiving dinner chicken or turkey. After enjoying a lovely dinner, all that remains from the turkey are some bones with meat in the pockets, tendons, ligaments, and strings of viscera. These remains are the ones that go into dry dog recipes. This meat comes with high water content. Chicken meal, on the other hand, is the meat of the chicken with the least amount of water content.

When it comes to the provision of protein content in the diet, a chicken meal has more content than chicken meat. The meal includes pulverized tiny pieces made from a whole chicken. The small pieces include skin, bones, and flesh. The parts that do not come with a chicken meal include blood and nails.

The sole purpose of the meal is to raise protein levels of the formula. In short, chicken meat in dog food recipe is the scraps that you get after deboning, while a chicken meal is the mostly the flesh of the thigh and breast of the chicken with less water content for more protein provision.

What is the difference between chicken meal and chicken by-product?

In the list of some dog foods, you may come across chicken or poultry by-products as another one of the protein ingredients. Some people assume that chicken meal and a chicken by-product is the same thing. Chicken meal is from chicken by-product meal as the latter comes with few benefits. By-products consist of feet, beaks, entrails, feathers, and chicken heads, which provide very little protein content to the dog food formula.

Is chicken meal suitable for the dog

Is chicken meal safe for the dog

The next question you may ask is whether the chicken meal is suitable for your dog. The answer is yes, it is. Chicken meal contains only 10% moisture and about 12% compared to chicken meat, which contains about 70 to 80% water and only 5% fat. The chicken meal also provides about 65% protein content, while chicken meat offers only 18%.

The only amount that could probably worry you about the values is that of fat. The 125 fat in the chicken meal should not worry you at all because chicken fat is amongst the most nutritious fats. It comes with high concentrates of energy and linoleic acid that is vital to the health of the dog’s coat and skin.

Besides that, the meal also contains high levels of choline, phosphorus, selenium and vitamins B12, and B6 that contribute significantly to the wellbeing of the dog’s health. Chicken meal is also rich in glucosamine, which helps to build stronger and healthier joints that help your dog to keep up with its active life for long.

Overall, chicken meal is a fantastic ingredient for your dog as it helps to build a more robust immune system and the overall health of your dog. It is a great ingredient if you want your dog to have enough energy to keep it active for many years.

Is chicken meal safe for the dog?

Just as it is beneficial to the dogs, chicken meal is also one of the safest ingredients to have in a quality dog’s formula. It does not cause allergies or any health issues, and many of the reputable brands for pet food use the ingredient in their recipes. The processing of the meal is under high temperatures, which makes it free from any bacteria. The high protein levels of chicken meal provide the dog with more energy than deboned chicken meat.

Do dogs enjoy eating a chicken meal?

If you have a dog that likes chicken in its food, then it will like a chicken meal. What is even better is that chicken meal will bring it with more benefits than chicken meat. Some of the best brands that contain chicken meal in the recipes that dogs love include Merrick Bistro Grain-Free Real Chicken Recipe, and Wellness Core Original Turkey and Chicken Dry Dog Food Recipe

Other quality brands include American Journey Salmon & Sweet Potato Grain-Free Dog Food that contains deboned salmon and chicken meal, Purina ONE SmartBlend Chicken, & Rice Formula, and Purina Pro Plan SAVOR Adult Shredded Blend Chicken and Rice Formula, among many others.

Are food recipes with a chicken meal more expensive than others are?

The answer to this question is yes. If you look at all the quality dog foods that offer meat meals as some of the top protein ingredients, they also come at slightly higher rates than the rest of the food products.

The reason behind this is that the ingredients come with more nutritional benefits, and sourcing is not from manufactured products but real hoe-raised animals. The most important thing is not the price but the fact that chicken meal food recipes come with everything your dog needs for all the nutritional requirements.

Wrapping it up

Chicken meal is not the only animal protein that comes in dog food formulas. Other meals include beef, turkey, salmon, and lamb, among others. Just because the meal ingredients do not appear as the primary sources of proteins in the majority of the formulas, it does not mean that they have less potency than the real meats. On the contrary, meat meals in the recipes contain more protein levels than the deboned chicken, and they provide more energy and nutrients.

The post What Is Chicken Meal In Dog Food?  appeared first on Pets Tutorial.


by Jane Brody via Pets Tutorial

Thứ Bảy, 25 tháng 4, 2020

Why Grain Free Dog Food

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Grain-free diets are the hype with many dog owners, and many of them will go to any lengths to ensure that their four-legged friends stay happy, healthy, and active at all times. The question though is whether grain free dog foods are the ideal formulas for dogs or if they are just marketing hypes to lure dog owners into buying pet food.

Regular Dog Food vs. Grain-Free Dog Food

Some of the ways to keep the pets happy include ensuring that they take regular exercises for mental stimulation and flexibility, they eat balanced healthy diets, and they stay clean and much more. Of all these, food plays a massive role in ensuring the dog gets all the nutritional needs needed for proper growth. Ingredients in any diet you feed a dog with, make a lot of difference in how your pet grows and adapts to the surroundings.

One of the most popular diets for dogs is grain-free dog food. Many dog owners choose grain-free food because it comes with many benefits irrespective of the dog’s breed or stage of life. In this article, we look at the things that make grain-free food tick, and why many pet owners prefer it to grain-rich formulas.

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What is grain-free dog food?

Before we find out why some dog owners prefer grain-free dog food to regular food, it is useful first to understand what grain-free is, especially to someone keeping a dog for the first time. A grain-free recipe is one that contains no cereals such as wheat, corn, soy, barley, sorghum, millet, oats, rice, or maize, among others. Grain-free diets refer to foods that are rich in real meat products with no by-products.

They contain easy to digest animal proteins, a balanced list of nutrients and no questionable ingredients or fillers that may bring harm to the dog’s digestive system. The theory behind the making of grain-free diets stems from the fact that dogs are descendants of the wild predatory animals that feed primarily on meat alongside veggies and fruits that they get from eating their prey.

Dogs, according to grain-free food manufacturers, and dog owners that swear by grain-free diets, have digestive stomachs that can only handle their ancestral diets. Grain-free diets use alternative ingredients such as pea flour, and potatoes, which are high sources of carbs.

Regular Dog Food vs. Grain-Free Dog Food

Eating grains for dogs is the same as eating junk food for humans. The food, according to the makers of dog food, comes with no nutritional benefits as compared to protein-rich dog food. Grains contain complex carbohydrates and starches that the dog’s digestive system does not digest well.

The reason for this is that the dog lacks enough enzymes that break the complex carbs and starches down, which leads the dog to develop allergies. Regular foods, despite the beliefs, are still popular with dog owners. A regular grain dog food contains a combination of some of the most popular grains, which include wheat, barley, oats, corn, rye, soy, and rice, among others.

According to some veterinarians, grain foods come with as many benefits as grain-free formulas. For starters, they are rich in carbohydrates, which provide the dog with fiber that promotes easy digestion and energy. Grains also contain other essential nutrients that include linoleic acid, fatty acids ad proteins. With the knowledge that grains provide dogs with high and quality nutrients, why use grain-free dog food for the four-legged friend?

Why is grain-free dog food better?

benefits-grain-free-dog-foods

Why is grain-free food popular with pet owners and veterinarians? Below are the benefits of grain-free food that will answer your question.

  • Fewer allergies and less intolerance

Dogs develop allergies and intolerance to certain ingredients, some of which include grains. One of the best ways to prevent allergies is by cutting down on grains in pet food formulas. The symptoms that dogs with allergies display include itchy skin, excessive gas, vomiting, diarrhea, skin rash and irritations, ear and skin infections, and loose stools, among other issues.

Food intolerance does not display severe symptoms as allergies, but they are a threat to the dog’s overall health. Putting the dogs on a gluten-free diet that is also free from other grains helps to save the situation.

  • Healthier coat and skin

Some ingredients also cause the dog’s coat to become rough and dull. The same ingredients also cause skin dryness, itchiness, irritation, and inflammations. If left untreated, the problems could also lead to a loss of fur and infections. A grain-free diet includes ingredients that are rich in omega 2 and omega 6 fatty acids that help to promote healthy skin and shinier coat. Healthy skin and coat are some of the simple signs that show the overall health of the dog.

  • More energy

Grain-free diets help to promote higher energy levels for the dog. The formulas contain high protein levels that are the primary sources of energy for the dogs. With less digestible grains in the recipe, dogs can maintain their sugar levels, which in turn provide them with more energy.

  • Less loose stools

Switching to a grain-free diet helps dogs to pass smaller and more compact stools. It also helps the dogs to pass stool more frequently, which translates to less waste. Grain-free foods have less indigestible ingredients that help with a healthier digestive system.

Instead of corn, and corn, grain-free food ingredients include tapioca and potatoes that help to replace the carbohydrate content to thicken the stools and work to slow down the food transit time through the dog’s intestines.

  • Reduces the amount of gas

Large amounts of grains such as wheat, soy, or corn, in dog foods, can cause dogs to produce large quantities of gas that produce a foul smell. The smell is uncomfortable for anyone near the do, and that includes the dog too. It causes discomforts and cramps, which may sometimes lead to the dog passing out.

Though producing gas is healthy in dogs, it is a great inconvenience as it comes with many other issues, some of which are too frustrating for the dog owner and the pet. In some situations, it could also be an indication of a sick digestive system.

Feeding the dogs with grain-free diets helps to reduce gas problems by a large margin. One of the reasons for this is that many of the grain-free diets contain probiotics that comes with immense relief for flatulence.

  • Improves breathe

Grain rich diets contain large amounts of carbohydrates that leave plaque on dog’s teeth. The dog’s saliva may wash off the deposits eventually. While the saliva is slowly cleaning the carb deposits on the dog’s teeth and mouth, bacteria in the mouth start to feed on the carbs. The bacteria produce foul-smelling odors that give the canine dog halitosis or bad breath.

Grain-free foods, on the other hand, come with fewer carb concentrations that do not cause bad breath in dog’s mouths. Whether dogs take grain-free or grain-rich diets, they are still susceptible to cavities. Feeding the dog with fewer carbs, however, helps to reduce the problem. It is also vital to brush the dog’s teeth occasionally.

  • Easier to digest

Dogs, just like humans, can digest most food types easily, including carbohydrates. The ability to digest different food types, however, does not mean that dogs digest every food and ingredient given to them with the same ease. The digestive system of the dog can handle fats and proteins with much more ease than it handles grains because the latter take longer to break down.

Grain alternatives in grain-free diets such as potatoes, tapioca, and sweet potatoes break down more quickly than other grains. The easy digestion of these other alternatives helps the dogs system with more comfortable absorption and better efficiency of the body’s operations.

  • Contains more superior ingredients

The ingredients in grain-free formulas are more superior to the ones in grain foods. The recipes contain high quality and complex carbohydrate ingredients that provide the dog with better nutritional values than ordinary grains and fillers.

  • Weight management

Grain-free diets contain lower carbs, which are the leading causes of obesity in dogs. The dogs, instead of using carbs, utilize the protein and fat content in their grain-free meals for energy. The protein and fat content in grain-free formulas also breaks down faster than carbs in the dog’s system, helping to build leaner muscles with less fat.

Disadvantages of grain-free dog food

Despite its popularity, grain-free dog food also comes with some disadvantages. Some of the downsides include

  • Grain-free foods as compared to regular meals are more expensive
  • The absence of grains in the formula may cause higher incidences of canine dilated cardiomyopathy (CDM)
  • Not suitable for less active and older dogs because they can cause weight gain
  • May contain less nutritious sources of carbohydrates as compared to regular grain foods

Why the FDA is saying grain-free dog food is causing heart problems

fda-warning-grain-foods-dogs

While many pet owners continue to feed their dogs with grain-free diets, FDA has in recent months embarked on finding out the link between heart diseases in dogs and grain-free foods. The question is grain-free food linked to the continued heart diseases in dogs, is among many pet owners minds.

FDA noted that the surge in DCM or dilated cardiomyopathy in dogs has something to do with the increased intake of grain-free diets.

The most puzzling thing about the disease and according to FDA is that the culprits are breeds not prone to DCM. The only thing they have in common is the kind of diet their owners put the dogs on which are grain-free food. The disease is especially common in large breeds that include Dobermans, Danes, Wolfhounds, Boxers, and Newfoundland, among others.

A few smaller breeds such as Cocker Spaniels are also susceptible to DCM. Others that show signs of heart disease include Shi Tzu’s, Bulldogs, Golden Retrievers, and Whippets, among others.

DCM is the enlargement of the heart, which in turn weakens the muscles preventing active pumping of the blood. The problem may lead to congestive heart failure if left untreated. The reasons that point to grain-free diets is because research carried out on the sick dogs showed that they are eating foods with specific ingredients that include potatoes, lentils, peas and other legumes.

The ingredients found to cause heart problems are more common in grain-free foods than they are in regular meals. Though the research is still ongoing, this goes to show that maybe all the hype about grain-free diets could be nothing but just a marketing strategy.

Wrapping it up

Even with the ongoing FDA research on the effects of grain-free foods to the continued heart diseases n some breeds, grain-free formulas continue to be a favorite with many pet owners. When you look at the benefits that grain-free foods provide, they outweigh those of regular grain foods.

Majority of the reputable brands that manufacture grain-free meals in the market, offer superior ingredients that come with both nutritional and health benefits for the dogs. The result is more active and energetic dogs throughout their life stages.

Some Best Grain Free Dog Food:

The post Why Grain Free Dog Food appeared first on Pets Tutorial.


by Jane Brody via Pets Tutorial

Thứ Năm, 23 tháng 4, 2020

How Much Should I Feed My Dog

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Owning a pet dog is fun for many people until the question of feeding comes into play. Not every dog owner knows about his or her dog’s feeding and nutrition needs. Some feed their dogs with human food, not because they cannot afford to supply them with the right diets, but because they do not know what their pets need.

Other pet owners know about all the right diets and recipes to feed their dogs with but understand very little concerning the amounts. Feeding the dog does not take much, and anyone can do it with some guidance, which begs the question, how much should you feed your dog? The amount of food you feed the dog with depends on several factors.

How Much Should I Feed My Dog

You do not feed a puppy the same amount of food you feed an adult dog with, nor do you feed a small-breed dog with the same amount you feed a large-size dog. What you feed depends on the sizes, age, and activity levels of the dog. The amount of ingredients into what you feed the dogs also depends on the same factors.

A puppy, for example, is more active than an adult dog. In this case, a puppy will need food with more significant amounts of fat and calories than that of older, less active dogs. What even helps is that many of the dogs feed come with specific feeding instructions that include the amount to give the dogs during different feeding periods. Some of the guidelines, however, do not always lead to excellent results.

Some people follow all the laid down guidelines and still end up with obese dogs or dogs with health issues. The best way to monitor the amount of food you allow your dog to eat should start by watching the body and hunger conditions of the pet.

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Amounts of feed for different stages of a dogs growth

Feeding the dogs the right amounts of food depending on their ages, sizes, and levels of activity, are the first rule to keeping them healthy. Below are guidelines on the values of food to use during the dog’s different stages of growth.

The puppy

feed for different stages of a dogs growth

For the first three to four weeks, puppies mainly rely on their mother milk. Complete weaning takes place from the sixth to the eighth week of their growth. During this period, puppies are incredibly active and use a lot of energy running around. Because of their productive lives, the puppies need to feed for at least three times a day with diets rich in proteins and other nutrients.

You can reduce the number of feeding times when the puppy reaches five to six months. Instead of three times a day, you may reduce the number of times to twice a day. You should also take into consideration that not all puppies portray the same characteristics. For this reason, choose the amounts depending on the size, breed, metabolism, level of activity, and the environment.

Puppies, just like adult dogs, are prone to obesity, so overfeeding is not a good idea. They are also likely to get health issues such as abnormalities with bone formation, among others. Decrease the amount of food if the puppy starts to gain weight and increase the portions if your pup starts to look weak and thin.

The Adult Dog

feeding-adult-dog

When a dog is one year old, you can comfortably begin to treat it as an adult dog. The average adult life lasts to anything between six and eight years, depending on the breed of the dog. The dog is very active during this period of its life, and it maintains the same kind of lifestyle, exhibiting the same nutritional needs for six or more years.

The diet that you feed the dog during this period is for the maintenance of the lifestyle. If your dog is exceptionally active during this period, then you will need to feed it with more energy-giving diets. You can start the dogs with a small portion of food in the morning but offer them more portions that are substantial before or after an exercise or strenuous activity.

The ideal weight of the dog should also determine the amount to feed during this period. To help you with this, you should ensure that you read the food label servings listed on the bag. If there is no listing, you should ensure that you get a food chart to guide you.

You can feed the adult dog twice a day, but this will depend on the activity levels of the dog. If you have an exceptionally active dog, you may need to increase the feeding times to three times a day or adjust the amounts of energy, giving ingredients in the recipe to feed it two times a day.

The Senior Dog

feeding senior dog

Feeding the senior dog comes with more challenges than feeding a puppy or an active adult dog. Senior dogs have more dietary needs because, at their age, they are sensitive to various health issues. The energy requirements for the dogs at this age are also less, which means they should consume fewer amounts of food they did at their earlier stages of life.

You should feed senior dogs with foods that contain fewer calories but with all the right nutrients to keep their strength intact. Before deciding on the number of times to feed the senior dog, you should consider the levels of its activities, its weight, and overall health. Overfeeding a senior dog may lead to obesity due to fewer activities that help to burn energy. The average number of feeds should be twice a day.

Pregnant Dogs

feeding Pregnant dogs

A dog’s pregnancy lasts about 62 days. During the first four to five weeks of pregnancy, feed the dog the regular diet with the same ingredients and the same number of feeding times. During the last three to four weeks of pregnancy, increase the amounts of food and, if necessary, increase the feeding times to three times a day. The diet during this period should be that same as the puppy food or a lactation diet increases the number of calories.

What is the best time to feed the dog?

Another question that some pet owners ask, especially those keeping dogs for the first time, is whether dogs should eat at the same time as humans. The times you choose to feed, the dog depends entirely on your preferences. However, you can go with some of the most common feeding times that many dog owners practice.

If you are feeding the dog two times a day, the best feeding hours will be around 7 am and 6 pm. Giving your dog this space between the meals ensures that the system digests the food entirely as it needs between 4 to 6 hours to do so. Hunger signals start to take place between 8 and 10 hours for a dog that feeds twice a day.

For senior and puppy dogs, the feeding schedule should have less number of feeding hours in between. If you feed the dog once a day, the most appropriate time would be in the evening. Feeding in the evening allows the nutrients in the meal to work through the system as the dogs rest at night in preparation for energy shedding the following day.

How much food should I feed my dog chart?

The following chart should help you to determine how much you should feed your dog daily. Even as you go through the chart, you should keep in mind that the number of times you feed and the correct size of the food depend on the breed, size, type of food, activity levels, metabolic rate, and age. Many of the dog food labels come with a feeding guide, so it is essential to compare the following chart with what shows on the brand of food products you buy.

Daily feeding chart for 24 hours

Dog Type

 

Dog weight (lbs)

 

No. of cups/day    

 

Calories

 

Toy

 

3 1/3 138
6 ½ 233
 
Small

 

10 ¾ 242
15 1 464
20 1 + 1/3 576
 
Medium

 

30 1+3/4 781
40 2+1/4 969
50 2+1/2 1145
 
Large

 

60 3 1313
70 3+1/2 1474
80 3+3/4 1629
90 4+1/4 1779
100 4+1/2 1926

How much chicken and rice should I feed my dog with diarrhea?

 my dog with diarrhea

Diarrhea is a common digestive problem with dogs during different stages of growth. Several different causes of diarrhea to the dog include sudden changes in their diets, eating something terrible in their menu, viral, parasitic, and bacterial infections, allergies, pancreatic and inflammatory diseases, and more. You can treat diarrhea by fasting the dog or feeding it on a rice and chicken diet, which helps to settle the stomach, and stop diarrhea.

Though white rice has less nutritional value than brown rice, it comes with properties that are friendlier to the dog’s delicate stomach. Before you start the dog on a chicken and rice diet to stop the diarrhea, you should first fast it for 24 hours without any food but with plenty of water. Feed the dog small amounts of rice and chicken diet for the next few days until you are sure the diarrhea is in control.

Feeding small amounts rather than the usual two meals, a day will ensure easier digestion that will not shock the dog’s digestive system. Remember not to feed any other kind of food until the bowel movements go back to normal. You should also break the feeding times with plenty of water to keep the dog hydrated after two or three days, you can start to add regular diet gradually as you decrease the amount of the rice and chicken diet.

Once your dog’s bowel movements are completely okay, you can stop the rice and chicken diet, and continue with the regular menu. Do not make any dietary changes immediately after halting the rice and chicken mixture as the dog may still have a sensitive stomach.

How much Wet food should I feed my dog

Wet dog food or canned food is a great alternative to dry food. It is especially significant as it contains some ingredients that do not come in dry food diets. Some of the things you get in wet foods that you do not in dry foods are more significant water content, which helps in hydration, and higher moisture content that helps in better satiety.

Others include better smells and flavors, which is especially great for finicky dogs and easier digestible and chewable kibbles. Wet food is also great to mix with dry foods, especially for fussy eating dogs, as it improves the taste of the dry ingredients in the diet. Even with the benefits of wet food diet, the question of how much you should feed the dog with still begs.

Before considering the amount of food the dog needs, you should take into consideration the age and stage life of the dog, the health condition, the dog’s activity levels, and the ingredients of the formula. Canned foods come with the amounts to feed the dogs with on the labels, but in case you buy one with no guidelines, then the following calculations can probably help you to measure the correct ratios of wet food to dry food.

Ratio of dry dog food to wet dog food measurements

Dog weight (pounds) Dry food (cups) Wet food (can)
10 And Below 1/3 to 1 ¼
10-25  1-2 ¼ ½
25-50 2 ¼-3 ¾  1
50-75  3 ¾-5 1 ½
Over 75 5-8 2

Wrapping it up

Some dog owners do not follow any feeding rules when it comes to feeding their pets. Instead, they follow the needs of their dogs and their activity levels to decide on when and how often they should feed their pets. However, following a guideline is beneficial for the good health of the dog. It prevents you from overfeeding, which may lead to obesity, diabetes, heart problems, and joint issues, among others. The right nourishment with the right amounts given at the right time will save you visits and costs spent at the vets.

The post How Much Should I Feed My Dog appeared first on Pets Tutorial.


by Jane Brody via Pets Tutorial