Take that Junk out of your Trunk

Your local grocery store is chock full of food and treats that are stuffed with bad quality ingredients. It is a real shock that the shelves do not simply collapse under the weight of all that rubbish. Here are some bad protein items you will want avoid like the bubonic plague: Soybean meal, wheat or wheat middlings, corn gluten meal, corn meal, whole/crushed corn, and maize are all too often often used for their protein because they cost a heck of a lot less to include in a treat or food than their real-meat protein counterparts such as chicken. Food coloring can also be a big concern with regard to pet food and treats: it is not too unusual, for example, for biscuits to be dyed in order to make them look like fresh meat or vegetables. This would not be a huge thing if we were still the fifties, back when when food dyes were still based on plant-based compounds of one sort or another. But in order for pet food manufacturers to save money and increase longevity, they began producing food colorings largely from chemicals. All too many studies show that chemical food coloring makes hyperactive kids more so, and some dog trainers sat the same applies to hyperactive dogs as well. This artificial food coloring is still widely today despite the reality that they are entirely unnecessary and have been linked to certain medical problems. It is believed by large number in the medical field that if an ingredient is not organic to the body (such as chemical coloring), the body reacts to it and can create a lot of health issues. Pets care about taste, not color, so food dyes are more for people than for them.

By-products are a superb way for firms to keep costs of food and treats down. Instead of simply using whole meats, they use by-products as protein. Needless to say, these are the less tahn desirable portions of animals such like the necks, heads, undeveloped eggs, feet, intestines, lungs and ligaments. Another cheap method of adding protein to a food is by using meat and bone meal. It is exactly what it sounds like: meat + bones.

Essentially, by-products are all of the items you would never willingly feed to your pet. Scientific studies confirm that these chemicals may be harmful to the liver and other parts of the body. The FDA has decreased the quantity of ethoxyquin allowed in pet food. Natural preservatives such as tochopherols and/or rosemary are much better.

There are a lot of other things that labels do not reveal, such as condemned parts of animals unsuited for human consumption being rerouted straight into mainstream-brand treats. These can be the parts of animals who are dead, dying or diseased. Certain meats, grains and other ingredients cannot be sold for human consumption. These are either damaged or simply doesn't have the look USDA officials want.

Also, some dog/cat food and treat manufacturers have much lower standards concerning the freshness of the ingredients they use. Though there should be a "use by" date or code on most packages, that doesn't mean that all of the ingredients were fresh when they were used to make the pet food or treat initially. We would not eat stale chips so why would we want to give anything but fresh ingredients to our beloved animals? To learn more about holistic food and pet nutrition, visit Premium Pet Food and Treats and learn more.

Ryan Joseph is a writer researcher. More info at http://www.dog-food-nutrition.com/

---

How to become Top Dog - A Dog Owners Guide to Sanity

Peeing on the carpet, knocking you down, or stealing dinner... Read More

Hypoallergenic Dogs

When we talk about hypoallergenic dogs, we mean that they... Read More

A Guide to Successful Obedience Training

Showing off your dog in front of friends and family... Read More

How To Adopt A Shelter Cat - Your New Cat Will Thank You For Reading This Article

If you are thinking of adding a feline to your... Read More

Buster the Beloved Pussycat

"Dogs have owners; cats have staff," and I have worked... Read More

How to Maintain Your Love Affair ... With Your Dog Part Two - Assemble a Great Team

In part one we talked about forming good behavior traits... Read More

Analysis of Cat Behavior

The most important thing to remember in analyzing the behavior... Read More

Health Concerns for Goldfish

Most of the diseases that threaten goldfish can be cured.... Read More

Dog Training For Beginners

Training a dog is a fairly difficult task. Some find... Read More

Dog Worms -- Dont Let Them Get Started

There may be no warning before dog worms strike.It was... Read More

Have an Itchy Dog? Consider These Grooming Tips Before Turning To Chemical Treatments

Many dogs today suffer from itchy skin caused by a... Read More

Training Collars: Teaching Your Dog Basic Obedience and Breaking Bad Habits

Training CollarsTraining collars are a tool many pet owners utilize... Read More

Pet Ear Infections

Is your dog or cat tormented by ear infections? Do... Read More

Home Hazards That Can Affect Our Pets

Is your home safe for your Furr Kids? It might... Read More

Horse Manure Management--What are Your Options?

You need a strategy for using or disposing of your... Read More

Is YOUR Child Ready for a Dog?

Are you considering buying a dog for your child or... Read More

What You Should Know About Your Dogs Sleeping Habits

It's important to understand your dog's sleeping habits and how... Read More

Animals Are Forever

Throughout the course of my life, I've encountered my own... Read More

Im Allergic To My Cat!

Having a cat allergy came as something of a surprise... Read More

Commercial Pet Food for Your Dog?

What you feed your dog is really SO important for... Read More

Care for Your Dogs Ears

I have had Goldens and Black Labs for many years,... Read More

Whats the Real Deal on Pet Insurance?

Even if you haven't had a run-in involving your pet... Read More

New Book Helps Worried Owners Of A Pregnant Cat

'Help, my cat is pregnant and I don't know what... Read More

How To Get Your Horse From Pulling Back While Tied

Some people have horses they don't dare tie. Why? Because... Read More

Are All Those Pet Vaccinations Really Necessary?

Would you like to save money and have a healthier... Read More

Toy Dog Breeds

Toy dog breeds include greyhounds, terriers, pinschers, pugs, chihuahuas, pekingese,... Read More

The Positve Benefits of Dog Day Care

Dog day care programs benefit the dogs of owner's who... Read More

Seeing Past Cuteness When Selecting the Best Dog Breed For You: Part 3 of 3

Are there so many great dog breeds out there that... Read More

Guinea Pig History

Their scientific name is Cavia Tschuldi and their nickname in... Read More

Toys are GOOD for your dog

Did you know that dog toys are actually good for... Read More

How To Be A Good Pomeranian Dog Owner

Opening your heart to a Pomeranian can be fun, but... Read More

The ABCs of Beaks

Beaks, Bills, Face Knives, Beakers - whatever we want to... Read More

Herding and the German Shepherd Dog

Once other animals such as cattle, sheep and goats became... Read More