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Disambiguation: For the computer jargon see eat one's own dog food. Dog food is plant or animal material intended for consumption by dogs or other canines. Special dog foods given as a reward, and not as a staple, are known as dog treats. Some people make their own dog food or feed their dogs meals made from ingredients purchased in grocery or health-food stores; many others rely on commercially manufactured dog food.
Homemade diets There are many different recommendations on what diet is best for dogs. Some people argue that commercial dog foods contain additives or poor-quality meat or ingredients dogs should not ingest, or that certain commercial foods are not nutritionally sufficient for their dogs. Different homemade diets are recommended by various experts, from "natural" diets consisting primarily of raw meat, to vegetarian diets consisting only of nutritionally balanced vegetarian ingredients, to mixtures consisting of ingredients such as brown rice, brown pasta, meats, eggs, and vegetables. Most dogs willingly eat vegetables, particularly if they are cooked, and many kinds of fruit, although grapes, avocados, and raisins are toxic to dogs. Commercial dog food By its water content, commercial dog food can be categorized into following types: dry, semi-moist, and moist. Making dog food Dry pellet dog food, called kibble, is made in two different ways: extruding and baking. During extruding, a mixture of raw materials is fed into an expander while pressurized steam or hot water is added. When removed from the pressure, the pellets puff like popcorn. The pellets are allowed to dry, then sprayed with vitamins, grease, or any other ingredients that are not heat-tolerant. The down side of extruding is that the fats added after cooking often turn rancid, and the vitamins may be destroyed by heat during storage or shipping. Contents Most commercial dog foods are made from materials unusable or less desirable for human consumption. These may include: Less expensive dog foods generally include less meat, and more meat by-products and grain "fillers". The most expensive dogs foods may be made of ingredients suitable for human consumption, organic products, or free-range meats. Special varieties There are dog foods specially formulated for dogs allergic to wheat, corn, and/or chicken. These foods usually contain lamb or fish meat. Some dog foods are designed for dogs with maladies such as urinary tract infections, and some foods are tailored to the dietary needs of especially young or old dogs. There also exist vegetarian dog foods marketed to owners who do not wish for their dogs to consume meat products. Holistic food There are also varietes of dog food for those that wish their dogs to eat human grade food. The holistic dog food industry is a growing buisness as the news about dog food with poor nutritional value. Raw food Raw food is also an growing industry. Concerned pet owners are now turning to freeze-dried food or the Bones and Raw Food (BARF) diet. Dog treats Dog treats are frequently given to dogs as rewards for good behavior or performing tricks. Many professional dog trainers recommend owners treat with normal dry kibble, cutting back the average ration of food given at meals to compensate and prevent weight gain. Dog treats are usually higher in grease or fats. These are usually designed to be held in a person's hand without being messy, and are often designed in fanciful shapes and colors. A top selling brand is Milkbone. See also | ||||||||
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