Some info and website's with great info

Wellness Just For Puppy; http://www.wellnesspetfood.com/dog_wellness_dry_index.html

Merrick Puppy Plate ; http://alpha-nutrition.stores.yahoo.net/puppyplate30lb.html

Canidae;   http://www.canidae.com/

Life Abundance;   http://www.dog-food-zone.com/dog-food-info.html

Flint River;  http://www.flint-river-dog-food.com/index.html

Innova;    http://www.innovapet.com/

Solid Gold;  http://www.solidgoldhealth.com/

Pork in itself is as harmless to dogs as chicken, beef or any other meat. However, there is a slight risk of your dog being infected with trichinosis by eating pork . Trichinosis, also known as trichinellosis, is a worldwide, food borne disease caused by an intestinal roundworm, uncommon in the United States. Both humans and pets who eat raw or undercooked meat of infected animals can develop the disease. Undercooked or raw meat of infected animals contains the roundworm. The disease can lead to muscle soreness and pain together with swelling of the upper eyelids in mild cases but can lead to more severe symptoms. If you would like to feed pork but want to take all necessary precautions, it is recommended that the pork be frozen for 3 weeks to kill the parasite.

The most important precaution is to make sure that all fresh pork and pork products are properly cooked. Other raw and undercooked meat should also be avoided, especially meat from wild animals.

It is an excellent idea to supplement your dog's diet with fresh vegetables, and especially in substitution for a chew. Many dogs like carrots, and there is nothing harmful about providing the odd raw carrot. Their diet, as in humans, should consist of a lot of different things in moderation. Your dog can eat most any vegetables that humans eat, provided that they are in moderation. A little left over vegetables from the family meal the night before are an excellent addition to
your dog's meal.

There are lots of human food items that are not good for dogs. Most would require to be fed in large quantities to have an adverse effect. In most cases the worst symptoms would be temporary diarrhea or muscle spasms, but some (such as chocolate) can have more serious consequences.
Foods known to be toxic to dogs include chocolate, onion, garlic, Macadamia nuts, green parts of tomato plants, potato peelings, raisins, grapes, rhubarbleaves,yeastdough,hops,coffeegrounds/beans, broccoli and pips or stones from many household fruits.

Is your dog food packed with nutrition for good health so your pet lives a healthier and longer life? Is your dog howing signs of premature aging?

Although you may think all pet food manufacturers have your pet’s best interests in mind, this is not always the case. Current pet food regulations allow manufacturers to use ingredients that you would never knowingly give to your pet. In fact, you may be shocked to learn what some brands of pet food really contain. For example: the use of by-products (feet, bones and intestines, etc.), chemical preservatives (BHA and BHT) and grains that are often difficult to digest (corn, wheat, gluten and soy), which are often used as a protein source instead of meat

 Don’t see your brand of pet food? Here’s how to compare your brand

1. Get your bag of food. Look for the Ingredient Statement on the label.

2. Read the first 5 ingredients. They play a significant role in the nutritional make-up of a   food.What are the protein sources? We believe the primary source should come from quality

   animalprotein, not vegetable protein or grain. Foods that list 2 or more grains in the first 5

    ingredients may have more vegetable protein than animal protein.

Chicken meat contains a certain amount of moisture; however, chicken meal is a concentrated source of chicken protein because most of the water has been removed. Therefore, it stands to reason that you get a greater “protein content” in 1 pound of chicken meal versus 1 pound of chicken.

What about grains? Two or more grains listed in the first 5 ingredients means your food may have more vegetable protein than animal protein. Grains such as soy, corn, corn gluten and wheat gluten can be difficult to digest, which means less nutrition and more clean up.

Brown rice is ok as a grain.

Are there by-products? Some manufacturers consider by-products inferior sources of protein and, depending on the ource, they can be difficult to digest.

What are the fat sources? Some fats are better than others. We believe the primary fat source in dogfood should be animal based because animal fats contain a profile of fatty acids that are easily metabolized and thus are generally more available to the body.

3. Does your food contain other health-promoting ingredients, such as: Vegetables, Beet fiber,Antioxidants, Proteinated Minerals, Bacteria cultures.

Your dog deserves the very best food. Compare dog food to see how your dog food measures up?


Look for the things that SHOULD NOT be in a healthy dog food

Poor Protein Sources-Soybean Meal, Wheat, Corn Glutens, Corn Meal, Whole Corn, Crushed Corn and Ground Corn are commonly used for their protein content in many pet foods.  
These ingredients are generally poor sources of protein vs. meat.

Chemical Preservatives- BHA, BHT and ethoxyquin are found in many pet foods. Scientific studies have proven that these chemicals can be harmful.  In fact, they have been shown to
promote liver disease and other medical problems.Food Coloring- Food colorings are still commonly used in pet foods today despite the fact that they are not necessary and
some have been linked to medical problems.

BY-Products- By-products can vary ... they can consist of the internal parts of animals such as necks, heads, undeveloped eggs, feet, intestines, lungs, spleen and liver.  Although by-products are used by many manufacturers, are these ingredients you would knowingly feed your pet?

What the Labels do not Reveal- Condemned parts and animals rejected for human consumption can be rerouted into commercial pet foods.  These condemned parts are referred to as the 4 D's: dead, dying, diseased or decayed. We believe this is one of the most despicable practices in
the pet food manufacturing industry.

Some manufacturers have a lower standard regarding the quality of ingredients they use to make pet food.  A recent example of this practice is the discovery of Pentobarbital in major pet foods, including supermarket brands.  Pentobarbital is a chemical used to euthanize animals.  Many
holistic veterinarians feel that daily ingestion of pentobarbital can be harmful.

Many manufacturers cut costs by using the cheapest ingredients available at the time a food is made.  Since costs rise and fall, some manufacturers will vary ingredients from
batch to batch .. resulting in changed nutrient values for each batch and possible digestive illness.

Some manufacturers have lower standards regarding the freshness of ingredients they use to make pet food.  You can not determine the freshness of ingredients by reading a label; you must trust the pet food manufacturer.