Be Aware Pet Food

Be Aware what you feed your pets

Grains can be a long-term source of energy and energy storage for dogs, but they can also be used as a cheap filler in order to boost the food's protein percentage. Watch out! Any grain you feed your dog should be used in whole form so that it supplies more fiber, vitamins and minerals. The best grains for dogs (when used in the proper percentages) are rolled oats, barley, quinoa, millet, and brown rice.Often, low quality dog foods will list a meat ingredient first, which will be followed by several by-products and fillers. In this case, although meat is listed first, there are actually MORE fillers, which changes the ratio noted above.

A well-planned vegetarian diet can work for dogs, although dogs are carnivores by nature. Dogs need animal protein. Would a dog naturally be vegetarian? No. Most veterinarians and holistic practitioners agree that although a dog can survive on a vegetarian diet, they may not thrive on it.

Be aware that while preservatives may be necessary to keep the food edible, preservatives do not have to be artificial chemicals that might be cancer-causing agents. Avoid pet foods that use chemical preservatives BHA, BHT and Ethoxyquin. Vitamin E & vitamin C are great preservatives that are much better for your dog.
Choose Premium Brand dog foods instead of Economy Brand dog foods. The cheapest ingredients are rarely the healthiest ones.

Go holistic. Holistic foods are 100% natural and 100% nutritious. They contain human-grade ingredients. One holistic pet food manufacturer provides anFREE online video "The Truth About Pet Food" you can watch here. (Actually, the term "human-grade" is a marketing technique. As is "holistic". To be able to MARKET a food as "human-grade" the food has to be run through a series of trials and tests that AAFCO officiates. If the food does not pass ALL of these tests and trials it is actually illegal to put the term "human-grade" on the bag.)
Some may consider this rule of thumb: If you wouldn't eat it, your dog probably shouldn't eat it either. (Think animal fat and added salt or sugar.) But there are some things you would eat (such as chocolate, grapes, raisins, white flour and onions) that are NOT good for your dog. Don't make the mistake of thinking all human food is appropriate for your canine. Canine and human nutritional needs and likes differ, such that what is appropriate and appealing for your dog may not be something you care to eat. In addition, some ingredients considered undesirable by US consumers (eg, bi-products) are enjoyed by humans in other cultures.

Winter dangers: Antifreeze is toxic to pets

Animal drinking Anti-Freeze

At this time a year, most of the USA and other northern countries are covered with snow and ice, and cars need to be protected against freezing. Unfortunately, antifreeze is very toxic to pets, and this is a concern even for pet owners who don't have a car.
Regular antifreeze has a sweet scent and taste, and is quite attractive to dogs and cats. Some manufacturers have changed their solution to remove the sweetness and make the liquid less appealing to pets, and some make "pet safe" versions, but all of these variants are still dangerous to pets. Pet safe antifreeze is less toxic than regular, but it still toxic.

If you're walking your dog and see a puddle on the ground, don't let him or her walk through it or drink from it. It's a good idea to always wipe off the pet's feet when you get back home - they will lick themselves clean, and can ingest antifreeze in the process.

Needless to say, keep these types of products out of reach for pets and children, and clean any spills immediately.

If you suspect or know that your pet has ingested antifreeze, contact your veterinarian or pet ER immediately. Minutes matter, and quick treatment can save your pet from severe illness and even death.