The Components of an Holistic Dog Food Diet

The benefits of a wholly-organic diet are not just for us humans. More and more pet food manufacturers are offering holistic dog food products. Available in both canned and dry varieties, these products are made from only human-grade ingredients and don’t contain any artificial fillers, preservatives or chemical additives.

Basic organic ingredients

Regular store-bought dog foods typically contain a mix of processed meat, meat by-products, dairy or soy products, starch and chemical additives such as coloring and preservatives. Only a small percentage of the ingredients have nutritional value. The human-grade, natural ingredients can be more easily digested and their proteins, minerals and vitamins extracted more quickly. In contrast, the by-products, fillers, and chemical additives are not easily digested and spend more time in the stomach and intestines. Irregular bowel movements and smelly stools are often result from ingesting these non-organic ingredients.

Holistic dog food is composed almost entirely of organic, human-grade ingredients. The absence of artificial ingredients and fillers means that smaller amounts need be consumed by your pet. Recipes differ between manufacturers and among products. Depending on the needs and preferences of your dog, you can choose from a wide variety of holistic dog foods. Here is a short list of some of the more popular, reputable brands:

Holistic Select from Eagle Pet Foods was one of the first holistic dog food products to hit the shelves. All products are made in USDA-inspected plants and contain only natural ingredients. Age– and size-specific products are available, as are hypoallergenic products.

               

Blue Buffalo has several different lines of holistic dog foods including: Organics, Longevity, and Wilderness. One of the company’s primary objectives is to help protect animals from cancer by using only natural ingredients.

Flint River Ranch manufactures high quality, wholesome dry dog foods that are baked twice. They have healthy dog treats as well as several other products for dogs of differing age, nutritional needs, and activity levels.

                           

Dr. G’s Fresh Pet Food is a specialized holistic dog food that is delivered by UPS 48 hours after it is made. While it contains several specialized ingredients not found in other holistic pet foods, its biggest selling feature is that it doesn’t contain any of the toxins that result from the break down of fat molecules. Even the healthiest of holistic foods will start to degrade as they sit in warehouses or on store shelves. This is a specialized product that is only available online.

Anti-allergens, microorganisms and other goodies

The growing popularity of holistic dog food has created smaller segments within this market. You can develop an holistic diet for your pet based on his age, size, activity level and individual tastes. You can choose from low or high-protein products and others that are high in B vitamins, zinc, iron, calcium and Omega-3. Hypoallergenic dog foods can help those unfortunate canines with a specific food allergy. For dogs with poor digestion, products are available that contain microorganisms that aid in digestion.

                          

Natural healthy dog treats

Switching to a healthier holistic dog food diet still requires providing your dog with some variety. There are numerous kinds of canned and dry foods, biscuits and healthy dog treats. For example, Holistic Select Natural Dog Treats are made of premium proteins with added vitamins and minerals that strengthen the immune system. While it may be tempting to give your dog left-over chicken wings or other table scraps, remember that these often have little or no nutritional value. Getting your dog hooked on healthy, natural treats can improve his energy level, regulate his bowel movements and lengthen his life span.

When shopping for holistic dog food, beware of premium products that merely advertise their healthy benefits. These products can still contain high levels of animal by-products, artificial coloring, chemical additives, and artificial preservatives. Truly wholesome products should not contain any of these potentially harmful ingredients. The best holistic products are manufactured in clean plants and contain only natural human-grade ingredients. They should also contain ingredients such as easily digestible proteins, vitamins and minerals that will help protect your dog from cardiovascular disorders, cancer, diabetes and obesity.