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Do You Know What's In Your Dog's Food?

How to Make the Best Choice for Your Dog

Several years ago I was shocked to learn that what I had been feeding my dogs contained ingredients I would never dream of giving to my worst enemy.  I found that commercially prepared manufacturers use by-products to produce their food (in an effort to keep profits high).  These companies actually use ingredients that are "unfit for human consumption" such as intestines, bones and diseased and cancerous animal parts. 

The purpose of this article is to share with you what I have learned and then you can make the best choice for your dog.   Just like humans, a dog's diet has a very important influence on daily health, overall well being and life expectancy.

How to Read Dog Food Labels
Similar to human food labels, ingredients are listed in descending order by weight.  The combination of the first three ingredients usually makes up the bulk of the food.  You should look for a superior quality protein source such as whole beef, chicken or lamb.  Also look for whole grains, fruits and vegetables.  Avoid animal fat, preservatives (BHA & BHT), artificial colorings, propylene glycol and sweeteners that provide no nutritional value.

Is Your Dog's Food Complete and Balanced?
This depends on your dog.  Examine the overall health of your dog.  If your dog has chronic ear/eye infections, constantly seems to be itching or just not 100% - talk to a holistic veterinarian about your dog's nutritional needs.

What Brand of Food Should I Choose?
FDC recommends choosing a food recommended by "Whole Dog Journal" (www.whole-dog-journal.com) a monthly guide to natural dog care and training that does not use any form of advertising.  Each year they publish a very comprehensive guide, Top Dog Foods for Total Wellness that provides more info than you could ever ask for.  Remember, every dog is unique so determine the best option that works for your dog based on age, sex, overall health, exercise level and your budget.

Saving One Labrador Retriever at a Time
Many of you know that I have been a Lab Rescue Volunteer for several years now and the experience is extremely rewarding for me.  I will be continuing to help and FDC will be fostering at least one Lab that is ready to be adopted!

We have a great group of all volunteers (PS - we are always looking from more if you are up for it!) that really put in a ton of hours to coordinate the rescue of all purebred Labs primarily from Broward County Animal Care or owner surrenders.  We pull the dog, take them to the vet (because they are usually sick with a cough), get them healthy and then deliver them to their foster home (yes - all of our dogs are in a volunteers home!) and then we get to eventually see them off to their adoptive forever home!  It's a great organization and the system works to save one dog at a time.  Below is a very special poem that, in my opinion, really is what makes all the hours of volunteering worthwhile.  Be warned, you will probably need your tissues for this one!  To learn more about Lab Rescue - check out the website: www.labradorrescue.net.

Once I was a Lonely Dog

Once I was a lonely dog,
Just looking for a home.
I had no place to go,
No one to call my own.
I wandered up and down the streets,
in rain in heat and snow.
I ate what ever I could find,
I was always on the go.
My skin would itch, my feet were sore,
My body ached with pain.
And no one stopped to give a pat
Or to gently say my name.
I never saw a loving glance,
I was always on the run.
For people thought that hurting me
was really lots of fun.
And then one day I heard a voice
So gentle, kind and sweet,
And arms so soft reached down to me
And took me off my feet.
"No one again will hurt t you"
Was whispered in my ear.
"You'll have a home to call your own
where you will know no fear."
"You will be dry, you will be warm,
you'll have enough to eat
And rest assured that when you sleep,
your dreams will all be sweet."
I was afraid I must admit,
I've lived so long in fear.
I can't remember when I let
A human come so near.
And as she tended to my wounds
And bathed and brushed my fur
She told me 'bout the rescue group
And what it meant to her.
She said, "We are a circle,
A line that never ends.
And in the center there is you
protected by new friends."
"And all around you are
the ones that check the pounds,
And those that share their home
after you've been found."
"And all the other folk
are searching near and far.
To find the perfect home for you,
where you can be a star."
She said, "There is a family,
that's waiting patiently,
and pretty soon we'll find them,
just you wait and se e."
"And then they'll join our circle
they'll help to make it grow,
so there'll be room for more like you,
who have no place to go."
I waited very patiently,
The days they came and went.
Today's the day I thought,
my family will be sent.
Then just when I began to think
It wasn't meant to be,
there were people standing there
just gazing down at me.
I knew them in a heart beat,
I could tell they felt it too.
They said, "We have been waiting
for a special dog like you."
Now every night I say a prayer
to all the gods that be.
"Thank you for the life I live
and all you've given me.
But most of all protect the dogs
in the pound and on the street.
And send a Rescue Person
to lift them off their feet."

~Arlene Pace (September 18, 1998)