Should you buy your pet natural, organic dog food?

The family dog is often treated as a member of the family. That includes what the dog eats. As people are becoming more aware of what goes into their own food, they are also increasingly aware of what they are feeding their family pet.Maintaining a healthy diet for your pet is very important and maintaining an organic diet has its benefits.

Organic dog food is made with high quality foods which contain no additives, preservatives or chemicals. In order to be certified organic the ingredients must pass the same standards as food meant for human consumption. Some pet owners spend extra money on the special diet blends that can only be purchased through their veterinarian, however organic dog food is not only healthier for your dog, but it could reduce your pup’s doctor visits to only regular check ups and shots.

Many of these foods do not carry the 100 percent organic label because of the vitamins and nutritional supplements that are added. Vitamins cannot be certified organic. This means that most per foods you will find will be labeled "organic". This means that at least 95 percent of the ingredients are organic.

Here are some of the benefits of organic dog food.

• It is artificial color and flavor enhancement free.
• There are also no chemical additives or pesticides in the food that could harm your dog.
• Due to the fact that there are no chemicals in organic dog food, your dogs body will be able to fight allergies and skin infections more efficiently.
• It contains high quality proteins and sources of grain to provide exceptional nutritional value. This will help to build your dog’s immune system, building a natural resistance against illness and infections.
• Because organic dog food is naturally more nutritious than conventional types, many dog owners find that their pet eats less. The food does not contain any bulk fillers which means that your dog is only eating what it needs to stay healthy and have good energy levels. Also, because the ingredients are all natural it may taste better to your dog.
• Organic dog food can help your dog maintain a healthy weight and give them the energy to exercise more.

While each company that manufactures organic dog food will have a different formula all will have to keep to the standards of the USDA. There will be similarities in all of these foods.

Some of the basic ingredients you will find in organic dog food are:

• Oats
• Barley
• Brown Rice
  
• Other natural whole grains
• Human-grade meats (turkey, lamb or chicken)
• Vegetables and fruits
• Probiotic
  

There are a number of organic pet food brands. Some of them are:

• Karma
• Pet Guard (added benefit, made in USA)
• Natural Planet
• Paw Naturaw (organic, raw diet)
• Newman's Own
• Castor and Pollux Organix
• Timberwolf
  

Cost is definitely a consideration for most people. Organic dog food does cost more than conventional dog foods. Depending on the brands involved it could cost much more. It is hard to say whether buying organic pet food is worth it to every pet owner. Here are some tips to help you save money on organic pet foods:

• Shop online. There are thousands of companies online competing for your pet food dollars. Many, like amazon, offer free shipping.
• Check the company's website for coupons. If you don't see any email customer service and ask if there are any available.
• Watch for sales.

You know that the quality of your diet effects how you look, feel, act and the quality of your life. In the same way what you feed your dog will affect him in the same manner. Feeding your dog organic dog food can help your dog will have a long and healthy life.