by: Hanif Khaki

As you know, dog food is available in a wide variety of colours, sizes, flavors, and shapes. The real distinction is obviously the ingredients contained in the products. You may be surprised to know that the ingredient list on dog food labels reads very much like human junk food. Some ingredients are even difficult to pronounce and are borrowed from medical encyclopedias. Then of course there are dog foods that are teeming with artificial ingredients, additives and preservatives that can be harmful to pets. So just what is "Spot" to do when it comes to healthy eating?

Many pet owners are discovering organic dog foods to feed their pets. Just as we humans are conscious of what we put into our bodies, these pet owners take that same consciousness and use it to make wiser decisions about not including chemicals in their dogs' diets. Organic dog treats are the next best thing to all natural dog food, as they are free of the pesticides and insecticides that are present in many foods.

Be aware of food labels however, as they can be very confusing. Natural dog food is not the same as "organic"dog food and this can be quite misleading for many. The fact is, "natural" foods are not held to the same higher standard as "organic" foods. The USDA must certify a food as organic, in order for the food to be labelled as such. Natural dog treats are considerably less costly than their organic counterparts, and as such are not deemed as reliable. Natural foods do however guarantee the absence of food colouring and additives such as sodium metabisulfite or ethoxyquin, which are allergens linked to allergies, cancer and even brain damage.

Even though organic food servings are pricier and contain about half the amount of food in volume compared to non-organic food, dogs are reportedly more satisfied with the lesser amount due to the purity of the healthier ingredients contained. This makes the organic and non-organic dog foods very comparable in price.

The bottom line is that choosing to feed your dog organic food instead of the preservative and chemically rich non-organic food can definitely go a long way in helping your dog live a more healthy and troublefree life free of allergies, skin ailments, diabetes and cancer. An added benefit may be the lower veterinary bills brought on by your healthier dog.

For further information on this topic, be sure to consult the many resources available to you online. Enjoy your dog in good health!