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Since we love our four-legged friends and treat them just like family, we even dress them up and buy them presents like our beloved two-legged children. Therefore, they’re worthy of a few more dollars when it comes to their diet.

But as consumers, sometimes it’s difficult to know exactly what we’re purchasing nowadays, especially when it comes to pet food. While we don’t want to buy the super-cheap varieties that are full of preservatives, byproducts and other unhealthy ingredients, at the same time we don’t want to overspend on healthier options.

But it begs the question, what exactly are byproducts and why are they so harmful to animals? What other ingredients in traditional pet foods are dangerous?

Byproducts, by definition, are really two-fold, meat and poultry, whose real ingredients are less than pleasant. According to Pet Food Advisor, the pet food producers themselves define them as:

• Meat: The non-rendered, clean parts, other than meat, derived from slaughtered mammals. It includes, but is not limited to lungs, spleen, kidneys, brain, livers, blood, bone, partially defatted low temperature fatty tissue, and stomachs and intestines freed of their contents.
• Poultry: The non-rendered clean parts of carcasses of slaughtered poultry such as heads, feet, viscera, free from fecal content and foreign matter except in such trace amounts as might occur unavoidably in good factory practice.

Basically, byproducts are slaughterhouse waste, with the exception of things like hair, horns and hooves, they can be almost anything. As responsible pet owners, we train our animals to stay out of the garbage, so why would be intentionally feed it to them?

Copious Amounts of Corn

If you read labels, in many varieties of inexpensive retail pet foods, you may see corn or corn meal as the main ingredient. Just like the byproducts mentioned previously, it doesn’t necessarily mean the actual food portion of this grain. It could be ground up cobs, portions of the husk, stems, leaves and other waste products - not the kernels themselves.

These unhealthy ingredients can cause a variety of health problems for dogs including digestive issues and allergies. Corn and other grains are not fully digestible by animals and therefore aren’t nutritious for them to consume.

Another problem with grains is the possibility of the presence of mycotoxins, a form of mold that can occur naturally, which can sicken or even kill some animals. As a matter of fact, a class action lawsuit was filed against Purina earlier this year in relationship with this dangerous ingredient allegedly found in their Beneful brand of dog food.

But Why?

Because byproducts and corn are cheap, that’s why. It’s that simple. The producers of most big retail pet foods are in the business of making money and not concerned with keeping our pets healthy.

The bottom line is, if we spend a little more now, we’re going to spend a lot less down the road on expensive veterinary bills which will give us extra spending cash for us pet lover’s gifts. Feed your pets nutritious, all natural food and they’ll not only be healthier and happier, they’ll be around a lot longer for us to enjoy their precious company.

NaturalPetWarehouse.com provides a huge selection of freeze-dried and dehydrated dog foods at great prices. Thank you Amber Kingsley for writing this article to educate about pet food and treat nutrition.

Shutterstock source links:

http://www.shutterstock.com/pic-293144264/stock-photo-pug-dog-with-food-isolated-on-white.html?src=csl_recent_image-1

http://www.shutterstock.com/pic-296578916/stock-photo-corn-on-white-background.html?src=csl_recent_image-1

Earth Animal Jerky is back in stock and the bags are now sold in 8 ounces but come at a lower price. Each bag is $14.99 and features the same great recipes that your dog enjoys. Earth Animal is dedicated to sourcing USA Chicken that is raised free-range and without the use of steroids, artificial growth hormones or antibiotics.

They currently produce 8 varieties of jerky, which can benefit dogs in specific parts of their health. Below we will go through each on individually and expand upon the health benefits they can provide.

Agility: Earth Animal Agility is formulated to help increase hip and joint health. Each piece is coated with glucosamine and chondroitin which can assist in increasing production of synovial fluid and promotes cartilage growth.

Fresh: Earth Animal Fresh is made with all natural chicken breast cutlets which are coated with parsley and rosemary. These ingredients work together to help freshen breath and also reduce stomach irritation.

Shine:Earth Animal Shine provides awesome taste, but also contains nutrients which help support healthy skin and coats. Each cutlet contains added Inositol (B-Vitamin) to help grow healthy fur and hair. It also contains zinc, which is known as a essential mineral for skin and coat health.

Calm: Earth Animal Calm is no ordinary snack. Each bite features brushed on Tryptophan which is an amino acid that can help reduce stress and anxiety in pets. If you have an anxious dog, this treat will help provide relaxation.

Energy: Earth Animal Energy is a perfect snack for dogs of all breeds. It features added Taurine, L-Carnitine and Vitamin E which worth together to support a healthy heart. When dogs are lacking Taurine and L-Carnitine, they may have a weakness of the heart.

Soothe: Earth Animal Soothe is a wholesome recipe that is formulated to support healthy digestion. Each delicious cutlet contains “brushed on” probiotics which can help improve digestion and boost the immune system.

Trim: Earth Animal Trim is made with natural chicken cutlets that feature nutrients that help support healthy weight. Each bite is coated with L-Carnitine which can assist in converting fat to energy. This process can be beneficial in maintaining a healthy weight.

Plain Chicken Strips Earth Animal Plain Chicken Strips are wholesome chicken breasts strips. Like all the other varieties, they are made with free-range American chickens that are raised naturally without the use of steroids, antibiotics or artificial growth hormones.

Earth Animal is a great choice for discerning pet owners that want to provide the best for their dogs. Each of their products are proudly Made in the USA at an USDA inspected human food facility. You can learn more about Earth Animal Dog Treats at NaturalPetWarehouse.com or by calling 877-595-5276.

In Australia, Kangaroo has been widely used in pet foods for the past 30 years. This is due to several factors, but mostly because of health benefits and availability. Australian Kangaroo is not farmed, they are a true free range animal which feeds on grasses, bushes, and trees. The result is a healthy meat that is low in fat, high in protein and naturally free of added antibiotics and hormones.

Kangaroo is known to be a hypoallergenic meat, which makes it perfect for dogs with sensitive stomachs or food allergies. If your dog has itchy skin, ear infections, patches or fur missing or other signs of food allergies, it may be worth it to try a different source of protein such as Kangaroo. Because many pets have never been fed kangaroo meat, they have a higher chance of not not having an intolerance or allergy. It is also naturally rich in iron, zinc, and Vitamins B6 and B12.

Another benefit to feeding kangaroo meat treats or food is that it is a natural source of (CLAS) Conjugated Linoleic Acid. This is a naturally occurring fatty acid which can benefit overall health with it's antioxidant properties. This meat has the highest amount of CLAs compared to all other red meats and can help lower cholesterol and improve the immune system.

Barkworthies Dog Treats is a good place to start if you are interested in trying kangaroo. They provide all natural snacks that are made with free-range and grass-fed Australian Kangaroo. Their varieties include jerky, sausage, tails, and ribs. Barkworthies is dedicated to providing dogs with 100% digestible treats that are made with high quality ingredients and are tested by the FDA and USDA.

You can purchase natural dog food and treats at NaturalPetWarehouse.com. They are a family owned business which has a huge selection, competitive prices, free shipping offers, and great service.