Why Organic Dog Food Is Best

As dog lovers, we all want the best for our furry family members. We know that pesticides and added ingredients to any food is not a good thing. It's not good for humans and it's not good for dogs. However dog food is expensive, and organic dog food is even more so. Should we really make a big deal about feeding our dog organic food? Is it really the best option?

The short answer is yes. Yes, organic dog food IS the best option. And like many things in life, the best option is usually not the cheapest. But for the overall well being of your pet, going organic makes sense. There are a wide range of health benefits associated with feeding your dog organic foods. The overall health of your pet will improve and there will be less trips to the vet. Even some pet insurance companies have policy riders that will pay for organic food. If the insurance companies think it's a good idea then that's saying something! Commercial dog food can be filled with all sorts of unsavory things...bugs, feathers, paper, even toxins. By going organic, you can avoid all of those nasty, unhealthy ingredients.

That being said, just because a dog food says it's "organic" doesn't mean it's automatically good. There really isn't a lot of regulation in the organic world, and even less in the organic dog food world. You have to be a smart shopper and do your research. The best option, of course, would be to buy organic HUMAN ingredients such as organic sweat potatoes and pesticide free salmon and beef and then cook for your dog. This might work if you have a small breed animal, but might be difficult if your feeding two Saint Bernards.

Many dogs will benefit from organic foods in the area of skin health. If your dog is prone to dermatitis, an organic diet of limited ingredients (no wheat) will help him/her tremendously. Some dogs actually have slight allergies to many of the ingredients in commercial dog food. And since there are so many ingredients in them, it would be very difficult to figure out which one was the problem. Going organic can solve that. You may also find that your puppy has less digestive problems after going organic. It just makes sense.

As I've already mentioned, cooking your own organic food for your pup is always the best option. However, this just isn't practical for most people. There are a number of reputable organic dog food companies out there that offer different options for your dogs menu. Some are more expensive than others and it may be hard to find some of these brands in your local animal and feed store (and especially your grocery store). You can always ask your grocery store manager if they can order a certain brand for you, it's worth a try.

A good organic dog food should contain plenty of pesticide free protein. This protein can be in the form of beef, fish, eggs or chicken. Free range-chicken is the best and many brands will have this labeled. Dogs do very well on a high protein diet because they are, by nature, carnivores. The carbohydrate/protein/fat ratio should be appropriate. Just like people, if a dog consumes more carbohydrate than he needs, the extra will be stored as fat. A food containing approximately 30 to 50% protein is ideal.

Carbohydrate content should be around 25 to 30% Dogs don't really need carbs, however some carbs are good for them. Carbohydrates help provide energy and vitamins. It's best to stay away from wheat based carbohydrates though as these can aggravate skin problems and digestive issues. Corn is probably the second type to try and avoid. Sweet potato is an ideal carbohydrate ingredient and can be found in a lot of organic dog foods.

Most commercially prepared "grocery store" type dog foods can contain up to 75% carbohydrates! This is far too much for your pooch and is basically just filler.

Castor and Pollux Natural Pet Works -

sub-brands: Organix, Natural Ultramix and Good Buddy Treats -

Some of the ingredients in Castor and Pollux foods include:

• Organic Quinoa- a nutrient-rich heritage grain that provides a gluten-free source of dietary fiber
• Organic Flaxseed- rich in Omega 3 Fatty Acids that contribute to healthy skin and coat
• Glucosamine Hydrochloride and Chondroitin (for joint health)

Original Pet Food Company -

Along with a variety of foods, Original Pet Food protein contains Chelated minerals. These minerals have been attached to the protein to make it easier to digest. All of their products contain above average protein content.

Acana Dog Food -

Acana dry dog foods contain high protein in the form of fish, eggs and meat. They also contain a number of natural ingredients that are beneficial to the overall health of your dog. These include chicory root and chelated minerals.

These are my top thee organic dog food brands. There are others but these are the three that I have experience with. They are also highly rated by breeders and people "in the dog world." It doesn't matter which of the three you pick because you can't go wrong. The most important thing, however, is that your dog actually LIKES the food. Just like you can't get a toddler to eat their greens, you sometimes can't get your pet to eat the right foods. If you are switching a dog over from commercial food, try introducing the new food slowly by mixing it in with the old food. This change over can take a week or two depending upon how picky your pup is. It's also important to note that good organic dog food comes in can or dry formulas, so it should be easy to stick to the same texture that your dog is already used to.

If nothing else, it's helpful to understand what exactly you are putting inside your dog. Dog's will usually eat just about anything (pizza is a favorite of my golden) and it's up to you to do what's best for your dog. Even if you can't afford the very best, try to stay clear of dog foods with the words "by-product" in them...this is about as far away from organic as you can get. And just remember, by being informed you are already a step ahead of all the other dog owners who just buy the cheapest food they can find.