HOW TO choose healthy dry food/kibble for your Bichon

[EDDEL]

While visiting this pet store called MUD BAY in Seattle, Susan & I picked up a flyer which we thought would be helpful for our bichon.ca members


HOW TO CHOOSE A HEALTHY DOG FOOD
Written by the staff of MUD BAY


1. Choose high-quality proteins

2. Look for digestible grains as carbohydrate sources

3. Choose healthy and naturally preserved fats


It often surprises people to learn that the perfect dog food just doesn't exist. Still, it's true:- what works well for one dog may not for another. Picking the right dog food isn't an exact science, either. Sometimes we have to try a few before we find the right one.

Healthy dog food starts with healthy ingredients, and choosing a healthy dog food starts with knowing how to read a dog food label.

In this flyer, you'll find information about the essential things to look out for, and why they are important to a dog's well-being.


1. Choose high-quality proteins
Dogs are members of the order Carnivora, but that doesn't make them strict carnivores, like cats. Current research indicates that dogs can eat a wide variety of foods, both animal and vegetables, and still be healthy. But dogs still have a fairly high need for protein.

Proteins can come from both plant and animal sources. Raw chicken meat is about 20% protein, while a raw grain, like corn, is only 3% protein. So, when an ingredient like ground yellow corn is listed first on the label, it isn't really a protein source. But that doesn't mean that good quality proteins can't come from plant sources.

Corn gluten meal, which is corn with the water, fats, sugars and oils removed, contains about 56% protein, and is highly digestible. Chicken meal, essentially chicken meat with most of the water removed, is about 60% protein.

Dogs have a need for a variety of nutrients in their diets. And, while some dogs can lead a healthy existence on a vegetarian diet, it's much more natural for them to get the majority of their protein from animal sources.

Difference Between CHICKEN and CHICKEN MEAL is Water - Before it's processed into dry dog food, chicken can be up to 80% water. After processing evaporates the water, there isn;t much meat left. But the order of the ingredients on a dog food label is determined by their relative weights before processing. So the word "chicken" still appears first on the ingredient list, even though its weight after processing may be much lower than the weigh of the ingredients listed second and third. On the other hand, chicken meal contains only about 5% water before being processed into dog food. When the words "chicken meal" appear first on the list of the ingredients of a bag of dry dog food, then there really is more chicken in the bag than anything else.

Feet Aren't Meat - Chicken by-products, poultry by-product meal and meat and bone meal can legally include all kinds of indigestible parts such as heads, feet, feathers, hair, hooves, and horns. Indigestible ingredients like these aren't nutritious and can result in skin and other health problems.



2. Look for digestible grains as carbohydrate sources
After protein such as chicken meal or lamb meal, the next ingredient in a healthy dog food is carbohydrate, usually a grain. Carbohydrates are necessary for making dry dog food.? It's important for carbohydrates to be well-cooked to ensure maximum digestibility.

Although corn or wheat should not be a dog's primary source of protein, they are a good source of digestible carbohydrates. Another good source is rice. Studies indicate that rice is the most digestible common carbohydrate. This makes rice an especially good choice for dogs who are prone to digestive upsets.

Corn, wheat and soy have been identified as ingredients that may provoke allergic reactions in dogs. However, veterinary nutritionists estimate that only about one in twenty itchy dogs is actually allergic to any of the ingredients found in high-quality, natural dog foods. If a dog isn't allergic, then corn, wheat or soy are unlikely to present problems. Barley, oats and potatoes are other excellent carbohydrate sources.

Ingredients That Aren't Food - A number of grain products look like carbohydrates but are really just fillers; indigestible ingredients that add bulk, not nutrition. These incude oat hulls, soybean hulls, rice hulls, and peanut hulls. A good dog food should include a small amount of digestive fiber such as bran or cellulose. But if the fiber source is one of the main ingredients (top two or three), then it isn't fiber. It's filler.



3. Choose healthy and naturally-preserved fats
Although most dogs prefer the taste of animal fats, they also do well with high-quality plant-derived fats. The description of the fat in the food's ingredient list should be as specific as possible. For example, "canola oil" is more specific than "vegetable oil". And "chicken fat" is more specific than "poultry fat", and both are far more precise than "animal fat". If a specific fat is listed on the label, then the manufacturer is legally obligated to use that specific fat. So, while a bag that says "animal fat" could contain chicken fat, it probably contains other fats as well. And that fat that's used in one batch may not be the fat that's used in the next.

Chickens and other poultry are among the best sources of fat for most dogs. Sunflower, canola, flaxseed and fish oils are also excellent sources.

The fat in dry dog food has to be preserved against spoiling. Vitamin E (tacopherols), vitamin C (ascorbic acid) and rosemary extract are some of the most natural and healthy preservatives currently used in dry dog food. No harmful effects have been found from the use of these preservatives.



How Much Should A Dog Eat?
To determine proper serving size, the feeding guidelines on a dog food label are a good place to start. Measure the food exactly, and feed the same amount every day. A veterinarian can assess a dog's body condition. If the dog needs to gain or lose weight, the amount of food should be adjusted slowly. It's easier for dogs to deal with gradual changes than sudden ones.

Many animal nutritionists believe that dogs who eat throughout the day don't digest food as effectively as those with short regular mealtimes. Feeding an adult dog twice a day for 30 minutes at a time may improve digestion, along with the dog's ability to use the food he eats.

Additionally, treats should make up no more than 10% of a dog's daily food intake. It's important to keep in mind that smaller dogs can hit the 10% mark much faster than bigger dogs.



Hope this helps .

In reading this thread, ie. while evaluating your Bichon's dry food/kibble, do read the following threads too...

• INGREIDENTS to look out for in dog food
• FOOD GRADING SYSTEM for your dog's food

edited to fix broken hyperlink and funny question-mark symbols that transpired as a result of server-switch.

[BenjisMommy]

Thank u SOOOO much Del for sharing this informative article........... 

I found it filled with great advice and information...... THANK UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU 

[Hils]

Thanks Del - very informative and interesting.

[Karen xo]

Del..... fab thread! ? it'll help a lot of members!!? ?Me.... I still dont understand food.....

& Im sure thats not the only thing you picked up in MUD BAY ..... show us the rest

[SuperMax (Susan)]

While visiting this pet store called MUD BAY in Seattle, Susan & I picked up a flyer which we thought would be helpful for our bichon.ca members

I forgot you picked that up!!!? ? Glad YOU remembered!?

 ? Del ... ya should have said that WE wrote it that weekend!!!

[Karen xo]

? Del ... ya should have said that WE wrote it that weekend!!!

 

[BenjisMommy]

  Del ... ya should have said that WE wrote it that weekend!!!

 

 

Then I'd really question whether or not you 2 have lives...... 

[EDDEL]

Del ... ya should have said that WE wrote it that weekend!!!

But I haven't shown them the OTHER article you wrote!

Then I'd really question whether or not you 2 have lives......

That's right Jane! I'd rather be spending my time cuddling with Max then fight with a Crazy Dog Lady trying to write a dog food article


Anyways , glad you all found it helpful .  It certainly is much more easier to 'digest' than my long prose in the "INGREDIENTS TO LOOK OUT FOR" posts .  Just remember the basics about

• MEAT/POULTRY
• CARBOHYDRATES
• FAT

.... and you're well on your way to understanding dog food a little better!


edited to fix funny question-mark symbols that transpired when we switched servers.

[BenjisMommy]

.... and you're well on your way to understanding dog food a little better! [/size]

Riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiight 

[Karen xo]

.... and you're well on your way to understanding dog food a little better! [/size]

Riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiight

  Jane me & you are on the 'same page'

[BenjisMommy]

.... and you're well on your way to understanding dog food a little better! [/size]

Riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiight

Jane me & you are on the 'same page'

I think so Karen............. I think we're the clueless one's......... 

[Karen xo]

Jane me & you are on the 'same page'

I think so Karen............. I think we're the clueless one's.........

Speak for yourself lady.... I just act  clueless so it blends in with my innocence ?

[BenjisMommy]

Jane me & you are on the 'same page'

I think so Karen............. I think we're the clueless one's.........

Speak for yourself lady.... I just act clueless so it blends in with my innocence  

Ok.............  .......... IF you say so.. 

[Samalama]

OK so I tried to click the link to rate my dogfood or whatever it is and it says I am not permitted to view it.  Can someone help me?   

[EDDEL]

Andrea, I hadn't seen your post until now .... I checked & fixed the ... it's okay .  Try clicking on it now .