The Link Between Nutrition and Behaviour - Recommended Diets and Treats
They are What They Eat
- Since the 1950's we have been feeding out dogs commercially manufactured pet food. Ingredients include meat and meat byproducts not fit for human consumption and other ingredients that are foreign to the dog's digestive physiology, such as corn and wheat by products, fungal proteins, gluten, sugar, chemicals and dyes.
- One consequence of feeding an inappropriate, industrial diet to your dog is that it can actually affect their emotions and behaviour. Diets high in corn, sugar, and chemical dyes have been known to cause aggression, hyperactivity and low attention spans in dogs.
- In human children, it is a scientifically researched fact that excessive sugar, chemicals and food dyes result in learning disabilities, aggression/irritability and allergies - why would it be any different for our dogs?
- Veterinarians, behaviorists, and trainers have found that 30% of aggression cases can be solved simply by switching the dog to a more natural and holistic food and cutting out chemically-laden treats such as 'fake bacon', and jerky strips. Cases that involve hyperactivity and inability to concentrate showed an even more dramatic improvement when the dog's diet was changed.
What Dog Foods are Bad?
- Pet foods found at the supermarket are not high quality foods. Shop for your human family in the supermarket, go to a pet store to shop for your dog's food.
- Reject any food that contains animal by-products. "Chicken by-products" are leftover body parts not fit for human consumption, nor do they contain much nutritional value.
- Don't buy foods that do not specify the species of animal the ingredient is from: "animal fat" and "meat meal" are euphemisms for low-quality fats and meats - they could be anything from restaurant grease to road kill.
- Pass up foods with artificial colours, flavors or preservatives.
Which Commercial Dog Foods are Good?
- Look for food containing a lot of animal protient. Two animal proteins in the top three ingredients is best. Three of the top five is also a good ratio.
- Look for foods using whole grains and vegetables. "Rice" is much better than "rice flour" or "rice bran."
- Look for organic ingredients: the more the better.
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Here are some of the following commercially prepared dog foods Flying Dog recommends:
Which Dog Food is the Best?
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The best food for your dog contains fresh, natural ingredients that you prepare yourself. For more information on home made and raw diets check out the text listed below. More information is also available on our links page:
- Natural Nutrition for Dogs and Cats: The Ultimate Diet by Kymythy R. Schultze
- Give Your Dog a Bone and The Barf Diet by Dr. Ian Billinghurst (www.barfworld.com)
- Raw Meaty Bones by Dr. Tom Lonsdale
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If you do not have time to prepare a home made diet yourself several companies make frozen raw meals. All you do is thaw and serve!
Healthy Training Treats Your Dog Will Love
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When training your dog you will be feeding a large quantity of treats so those treats need to be healthy as well. Look for teats with as few ingredients listed on the package as possible. Make sure the treats do not contain any sugar, dyes or chemicals. Flying Dog has tested a lot of treats and these are our favorites:
- Benny Bully's: 100% pure dehydrated beef liver. Easy to handle, no need to refrigerate.
- Natural Balance: Contains no soy or corn. Natural Balanced is packed in a tube and must refrigerated after opening. It is easy to cut into tiny pieces and is moist and aromatic.
- Home Made Liver Cake: The cheapest most aromatic treat you can make for your dog. Make a large batch with the recipe provided and keep it in the freezer. Thaw as needed. Contains no additives or preservatives and can be made with all organic ingredients. Click here for the recipe.
- Hot Dogs and Cheese: Cheap and effective and made for human consumption. Mix small bits of the two in a zip-lock bag and sprinkle in some garlic power for added aroma.
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