Passion for Pets!

My blog is all about pets! I have a puppy named Bentley and am constantly searching for ways to improve his health and well being. I want to share some of my favorite tips, hints and advice I have found helpful in raising my bundle of joy.

One of the things I always struggle with, is knowing what food is best for my pup or cat. Through all my research I have found a variety of healthy food that he loves. Now, I'm sure that many of you know that each pet requires a different diet. For example, what might be healthy and tasty to one dog may not be to another. Also, don't be fooled by the "real chicken" labels or the fancy colored bags the food comes in that makes it look healthy and tasty.

First, when choosing the right food for your animal, you must know your animal. Are they overweight? Do they have sensitive skin? Is their stomach sensitive? How large should the kibble pieces be? Do they have any allergies? Ask yourself these questions first when choosing food.

Bentley is a malti-poo and is 12 lbs. The vet said he is over weight. Therefore, just with the most basic information about my puppy I know that he needs kibble that is smaller in size and is for small breeds. Easy, each bag of food will tell you if it is for a large or small breed. Also, since he is a small dog I know that the size of the kibble matters and it should be smaller so it is easier for him to chew. The bag will usually tell you the "actual size" of the kibble.

If it doesn't, don't be afraid to ask a sales associate.

The hardest part is over. One you have found a bag of food that seems to fit your animal’s needs, check the ingredients out. One common misconception associated with the ingredients is that the first ingredient should be meat, like turkey or chicken. However, "chicken meal" contains %300 more protein than "fresh" meat.

                  The next thing you should look for in the ingredients of your pet’s food is the amount of wheat or grains are in the food. Although, grains are good for your pet, many cheap foods use grains as fillers. The first ingredient may be meat but make sure the rest is not grain. Moreover, make sure that fat is not one of the top ingredients listed as it makes your animal bloated.

                  To summarize all that I have discussed there are three main things to pay attention to when choosing the appropriate food for your pet..

1.     Know you pet. Are they a small or large breed, how physically active are they, do they have any allergies, are they overweight?

2.     The first ingredient should be a chicken meal, lamb meal, turkey meal…etc.

3.     Grains are fillers. The less grain, the healthier the food.