Dogs

I am certainly not a dog food expert. Nor am I a dog food fanatic. Meaning... I don't swear by one particular brand, and I don't tend to scrutinize the products and practices of the various dog food manufacturers out there.

Despite what some will have you think, personally I don't believe that there is one "perfect" dog food (brand or manufacturer) that is best for all dogs.

Quite the contrary... I believe that there are dozens (if not hundreds) of dog foods which will adequately nourish our pets and enable them to live long and healthy lives.

Ultimately, it is up to each individual dog owner to decide what is best for their individual dog.

To Help You Decide...

Every dog owner must -- at their very own pace -- educate themselves. This process might take years before you can truly feel comfortable with your decision regarding what's most important to you and which products are ultimately the best for your dog.

We each get there by our own means. And, through this process, each of us comes to achieve a certain level of comfort regarding the various ingredients found in dog foods -- and those which we will or will not feed our dogs.

For example, I tend to believe that dog foods with all-natural ingredients are generally very good for dogs. I will even go so far as to say that I think they might be better for our dogs. Do I feed my dogs all-natural dog food? Nope. (Though I have.)

I also believe that dogs can live happy and healthy lives on a diet that consists of dog foods purchased from grocery stores. I would consider those foods to have the bare minimum in terms of nutrients and health benefits. Do I feed my dogs food from the grocery store? Nope. (Though I have.)

There is controversy no matter which product you choose... and not everyone will agree with your decisions.

It's So Confusing

Keep one thing in mind:
For as many people who tend to criticize one product or another, there are even more dogs who have lived long, healthy lives after eating those particular products. So I think it's important to take everything you hear with a grain of salt.

If your choice of dog food is based on what you would or would not put in your own mouth... then so be it.

If that decision is based on what you can and cannot afford... then buy what makes sense.

We all have our own level of standards for what is acceptable for our dogs to eat. I say, to each his own. Live and let live.

However, I will add this: Try not to be swayed by all the marketing hype.

You should know that the pictures they put on the dog food label, the puppies they feature in the dog food commercials, and the phrases they use to describe a particular dog food rarely, if ever, depict what is actually inside that bag of food. Overall, it is the actual ingredients inside which matter most. Read the labels and educate yourself.

Trust me when I say... eventually it becomes easier to weed through all the hype, so you can make an intelligent & informed decision for yourself, for your dog, and for your pocketbook.

Try Many, Settle On A Few

It's a good idea to sample a variety of dog foods for awhile -- if not through the entire course of your dog's life. Most dog owners do.

As pet owners, we tend to get excited whenever we see a new brand on the market, or a new flavor, or a new "healthier" mix, etc. and we're usually eager to share our new find with our dog.

There's nothing wrong with this.

In the end, your aim should simply be this:
Determine a price you're willing & able to pay, find a flavor your dog seems to like, and so long as the stools are solid and your dog experiences no ill effects, then perhaps you've found yourself a dog food.

The good thing is, dogs are flexible... and resilient, and they won't hold it against you if you change your mind down the road.

So even if you change your mind about a certain dog food, your dog can make the change with you and continue to grow just fine.

TIP: To wean your dog off of one food and onto another, simply mix more and more new in with the old each day, until you dog's diet consists entirely of the new dog food.

In summary:

While a dog's food and overall diet are certainly important, it also must not be overlooked that there is much more to a dog's health and well-being than simply what goes into your dog's mouth. Not to be overlooked are: regular exercise, good veterinary care, personal grooming -- to name just a few.

See what I feed my dogs here.