A lot of us are concerned about our nutritional way of life these days, that same concern can be overlooked when feeding our pets.   A large amount pet foods are loaded with fillers and animal byproducts that no human being could consume.  If you wouldn’t eat it, why would you want to feed it to your dog or cat?  There are numerous types of natural pet foods on the market today. Unfortunately consumers may possibly end up feeding their pets undesirable ingredients due to slick T.V. Ads that portray fresh plump chickens, fresh cuts of beef and vegetables, when corn and byproducts may still be used.

Natural pet food is made with all natural ingredients without artificial chemicals and additives that are not only unhealthy for your pet but can actually cause your dog to eat more because cheap pet food usually requires extra servings than a quality pet food.  These additives contain no nutrients, they don’t fill your pet up the way a holistic or organic pet food would.  Natural pet food should be made out of iingredients which are safe to feed your pet.

When you go to a pet store next time compare commercial branded dog foods with a natural dog food.  You can look at the label of an all natural, holistic, or organic pet food and notice no corn, wheat, preservatives or byproducts on the label.  Taking a little more time to research what you feed your pet will  not only decrease your pet food bill as your pet eats less, your pet will be healthier and happier with less trips to the vet! The filler in pet food is not far from the junk food we’ve all learned to steer clear of, and can leave your pet with less energy, dull coat and allergies.

When searching for pet food, it is wise to completely look into the ingredients you are putting into your pets dinner bowl. You may want to feed your pet homemade food, or you may desire to buy premium quality natural pet foods, or you may do a combination of both.  No matter your selection, your pets health is well worth the additional expense of better quality foods, just remember spending additional dollars per bag can save you money in the long run.

If Choosing Pet Food Wasn’t Confusing Enough!

Below is a common pet food comparison test found on the internet.  No doubt, the people who constructed this test are sincere, just sincerely wrong.  Below is a copy of the test with my response to each in red.

How to Grade Pet Food
Start with a grade of 100:

• For every listing of “by-product”, subtract 10 points
  How about throw it away!  By-products are inferior proteins and hard to digest.  They present no nutritional benefit.
  

• For every non-specific animal source (“meat” or “poultry”, meat, meal or fat) reference, subtract 10 points
  How about throw it away!  Why take the chance with mystery meat.
  

• If the food contains BHA, BHT, or ethoxyquin, subtract 10 points
  How about throw it away!  There are clearly natural options which eliminate the need for these chemicals.  * If chemical preservatives are used in pet food, a dog/cat will eat its body weight in chemicals after only 3 years.
  

• For every grain “mill run” or non-specific grain source, subtract 5 points
  How about throw it away!  (are you seeing a pattern here?) Again, why buy a food with mystery ingredients?

• If the same grain ingredient is used two or more times in the first five ingredients (i.e. “ground brown rice”, “brewer’s rice”, “rice flour” are all the same grain), subtract 5 points
  Not a bad suggestion, but with all of the options on the market, why settle for a 5 point deduction.  Just buy something better.
  

• If the protein sources are not meat meal and there are less than two meats in the top three ingredients, subtract 3 points
  Incorrect.  If you are using high quality chicken meal, it will contain almost all meat (no bone, cartilage, fat, etc.) and there is no need for 2 meats in the top three)  This criteria assumes that the meat source is not optimal.
  

• If it contains any artificial colorants, subtract 3 points
  How about throw it away!  This is not necessary and doesn’t reflect well on the scientific advances of the company.

• If corn is listed in the top five ingredients, subtract 3 points
  How about throw it away!  Frankly, I’m surprised that only 3 points will be subtracted for this considering that corn is in the top 3 known allergens.

• If the food contains any animal fat other than fish oil, subtract 2 points
  ??? Would someone care to explain?  Fish oil is great but it is almost never used as a primary fat source.  Chicken fat will break down at body temperature and is highly digestible.  Beef tallow (animal fat), however, should be avoided completely – not just subtract 2 points.
  

• If lamb is the only animal protein source (unless your dog is allergic to other protein sources), subtract 2 points
  Again, please explain the logic here.  I guess it is not very relevant anyway since it only represents 2 points!
  

• If it contains soy or soybeans, subtract 2 points
  How about throw it away!  Soybeans are known allergens and aren’t worth the risk
  

• If it contains wheat (unless you know that your dog isn’t allergic to wheat), subtract 2 points
  How about throw it away!  Wheat is a known allergen and isn’t worth the risk

• If it contains beef (unless you know that your dog isn’t allergic to beef), subtract 1 point
  How about throw it away!  With the low quality of meats that are often used in pet foods and the constant threat of mad cow disease, why risk it?  1 point seems awfully low.

• If it contains salt, subtract 1 point
  Is there some new study that indicates salt is no longer needed in a dog’s diet?  A minor issue, however, seeing it only represents 1 point.

Extra Credit:
The whole concept of extra credit amazes me.  It’s as if to say, go ahead and use the bad ingredients listed above as long as you counter balance it with the stuff below.  So if my food uses organic meats and it is endorsed by a major breed group, I can use BHA, BHT, or ethoxyquin?

• If any of the meat sources are organic, add 5 points
  Organic by what standard?  I would rather know that the ingredients have passed APHIS inspection for human quality.

• If the food is endorsed by any major breed group or nutritionist, add 5 points
  Science Diet is recommend by almost every vet in the country.  Does that make it good?  I know groups of breeders who feel that food is not important and buy whatever is cheapest.
  

• If the food is baked not extruded, add 5 points
  WRONG.  How about asking at what temperature the food is cooked, or for how long, or if a multi thread extruder is used.
  

• If the food contains probiotics, add 3 points
  I somewhat agree with this but it depends where the probiotics were obtained and if it is used in significant amounts.
  

• If the food contains fruit, add 3 points
  Human quality or rotten, discarded fruit?
  

• If the food contains vegetables (NOT corn or other grains), add 3 points
  Human quality or rotten, discarded vegetables?
  

• If the animal sources are hormone-free and antibiotic-free, add 2 points
  Only 2 points!  By the way, our chicken meal is hormone and steroid free but I guess that doesn’t count since it is meal.  Interesting.

• If the food contains flax seed oil (not just the seeds), add 2 points
  How about flax seed meal (which is more stable)?
  

• If the food contains oats or oatmeal, add 1 point
  I’m ok with this but still not sure why they are singling out certain grains

• If the food contains sunflower oil, add 1 point
  No explanation is given for any of these single ingredients.  (Of course, I know this test is for people who don’t want explanations)

• For every different specific animal protein source (other than the first one; count “chicken” and “chicken meal” as only one protein source, but “chicken” and “” as 2 different sources), add 1 point
  Not very relevant as it is only worth 1 point.  I would agree, however, that different meats provide different nutritional profiles.
  

• If it contains glucosamine and chondroitin, add 1 point
  What for?  Both of these ingredients get cooked out after processing and is nothing more than a marketing ploy.  What if I have a very arthritic dog, should I feed him more food and fatten him up so he can get more glucosamine?  The best thing is to supplement.  I say if there is glucosamine and chondroitin listed on the bag, get rid of it.  You are dealing with a marketing company, not a concerned pet company.
  

• If the vegetables have been tested for pesticides and are pesticide-free, add 1 point
  OK.
  

Grading
94-100+ = A 86-93 = B 78-85 = C 70-77 = D 69 = F
Let’s Summarize
Using a test like this is FAR from helpful.  It is actually dangerously misleading.  Considering that pets eat the same thing day in and day out, it is important to do some proper ‘due diligence’.  Be sure that the company you choose uses TOP grade ingredients, not just certain types of ingredients.

It’s no different than saying a fast food hamburger is the same as a Filet Mignon because they are both beef.

So how can you know the quality of your pet food?  Good question.  You can only know if you have direct access to the people behind the company.  That is what sets HealthyPetNet apart from most every company on the market.  We pride ourselves in being different in every way.  Not just by using superior ingredients, but by focusing on pet health and providing outstanding customer service.  What other company invites you to speak directly with their product formulator every month on a National Conference Call?

To learn more about how to properly compare pet foods.  Click Here -
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While prevention is best, once you’ve determined that your dog is overweight, you need to put him on a diet program. While specific breeds have a recommended weight, a weight chart is generally useless because – let’s face it – most purebreds don’t have perfect conformation and many dogs are a combination of breeds.

Is Your Dog Overweight?

There are three basic methods to determine if your dog is overweight , or not.

• You should be able to feel your dog’s ribs, but not see them (coursing breeds are an exception).  If there is a slight excess of fat covering the ribs, he’s overweight.  If the ribs are “buried” under a heavy fat covering, he is obese.
• While standing over your dog, you should see an hourglass figure.  That means there is an indentation at the waist from behind the ribs to just before the hips.  Breeds differ, but if you can’t tell where the waist begins, your dog is too fat.
• Looking at your dog in profile, you should see a stomach tuck beginning just behind the last ribs and going up into the hind legs.  If Fido’s stomach almost touches the ground, chances are it’s time for a weight loss diet, and certainly more exercise.

Breeds at Risk:
While we can’t blame it all on breeding, there are breeds that have a ?;reater predisposition for obesity: cocker spaniels, Labrador and golden re:rievers, Cairn, West Highland, and Scottish terriers, collies, and chimahuas.

Healthy Dog Weight Tips:

• Feed an alternative high-quality food.  If your dog is not overweight, follow recommended feeding directions.  If he is overweight, reduce the amount by 25%.
• If you’re feeding a “lite” dog food (alternative or supermarket) with fat below 4% and/or fiber above 4%, supplementation is necessary. While low-fat food will help dogs lose weight, it can jeopardize the immune system, and the skin and coat, creating flaky skin and a dull, brittle coat.  I avoid supermarket brands alltogether, additionaly my own dog Jacob has done very well with Doctor Janes Weight loss Dog Food Formula.  Every purchase you make supports the efforts of rescue organizations through the Dr. Jane Foundation.
• No table scraps or treats allowed! Fool your dog by putting his dog toad where the treats are kept, and give him his dog food. Don’t forget to ieduct that amount from his total daily quantity (already measured).
• Reward with love or exercise rather than food.
• Exercise your dog at least twice daily-20 mins. each time is optimum.  If your dog isn’t used to exercise, start out on a mild program and increase the level of activity gradually.
• Monitor your dog’s weight weekly.

Commercial flea collars, powders, sprays and medications are among the most toxic pet care products out there – they’re bad not only for your animal, but also the environment, both indoors and out.  The best way to avoid them is to keep your animal in good health with a quality diet, so his immunity is strong and he doesn’t react badly to flea bites.

or the fleas that do show up, a number of companies offer safe Elea-repelling products and shamoos made from natural ingredients.  Beneficial nematodes ( nematodes are microscopic living creatures that can be found in your garden soil) are an effecive and non-toxic way to rid your yard of those unwanted pests.  Regular bathing and grooming an also be eco-friendly.  Harsh commercial shampoos are hard on your animal’s skin.  Thanks to the proliferation of natural and organic shampoos, conditioners, sprays and other grooming products on the market now, this no longer has to be an issue.  Be sure to read labels so you know what you’re getting.

Human-grade ingredients, no corn, wheat or soy products.  No preservatives or food colorings.  The food is fast-cooked to retain the maximum amount of nutrients, Doctor Jane does’nt sell through  stores because she doesn’t want it sitting on store shelves, not to worry you can order it online, and it ships to your door! You can feel good about ordering! A portion of every sale helps rescue organizations! See Here

Which brand of pet food is the best?  Am I getting a good deal?  It reminds me of when I bought my first cell phone!  We have asked ourselves these same questions when buying our own pets’ food, we have experienced both scenarios and we want to share that with you.  I suggest avoiding grocery store and big box pet store brands altogether, as most of the brands contain corn, wheat, glutens, animal by-products, and toxic preservatives like BHA, BHT and ethoxyquin.

I believe buying on-line is the freshest, safest way to buy your pets’ food, why?  Even higher end pet foods that start out high in nutrient density, can lose nutrient value because of age old distribution practices.  This poses a problem when we’re dealing with “all natural pet products.” Generally pet food bought off the store shelves can be anywhere from 6 – 12 months old due to up front inventory requirements for future sales.  Look for a food that is made in small frequent batches (micro-batching) and is shipped direct and is nutritionally balanced, has human quality ingredients.  What is considered human grade?  APHIS Certified for the European Market.  This means that every aspect of the food is inspected from the ingredients to U.S.D.A. manufacturing.

It can be so confusing walking down the aisles of a pet store or searching online, remember there’s a lot of pet food out there available online that is also available at the store, trying to choose between which brand, variety & flavor, not to mention reading the label with all of it’s ingredients.

There is only one food I recommend and market, I know I’m sounding biased, but it’s the truth.
You can get a FREE PET FOOD SAMPLE

Choosing a better pet food for our dogs and cats can be confusing, what kind of ingredients are good, which ones are bad? What do the labels mean? Where does it come from? What company can I trust? These are questions we asked ourselves after we found out we were feeding basically garbage to our beloved dog. You may be asking yourself these same questions, hopefully this website will help you to better understand ingredients, labels, manufacturing processes, how it’s sold, and to choose a better food for your dog or cat.

The recent recalls have many people questioning what goes into their pets’ diets and what kind of safeguards and quality control the pet food manufacturers have in place. With more than 15,000 brands of pet foods available and counting it can be confusing. How much do we really know about what’s in our pets’ food?  We assumed that our dog food was safe and healthy.   But then we started researching the ingredients and what the current label regulations allow.   Did you know that your pets’ next meal can still contain harmful preservatives and other hazardous ingredients and not be listed on the label?   Current regulations allow this,  as long as they weren’t (manufacturer) the ones who added the ingredient,  it’s not required to be on the label.

We learned the hard way, our beloved dog was lethargic and just stared out the window and didn’t have the energy or happiness he once did.  We never thought this could be tied to his food.  Give your label another look, those ingredients could very easily be causing liver damage, diabetes or even cancer in your pet right now.  Diabetes and cancer have skyrocketed recently in pets.  That’s because pet food can be filled with many of these unhealthy ingredients and these diseases are reaching epidemic levels.   Sometimes we can conveniently rely on the messages we see in T.V. ads which are filled with lies.  We also trusted in the advice of our veterinarian and what he recommended – science diet, I will never feed Jacob this food again, not all vets recommend bad nutrition.   That’s why we chose Dr. Jane Bicks Holistic line of pet products,  some veterinarians specialize in nutrition and it’s their focus, while others don’t.  We now go to a Holistic Veterinarian.  We are happy to report that our dog Jacob is acting like his old self again, or should I say his young self.