All About Organic Dog Food

The growing popularity of organic dog food and other all-natural recipes is good news for your pet. Find out why this type of food is a safer, healthier alternative to highly-processed dog diets.

What you feed your puppy or dog has a profound, and long-lasting impact on his health - both now and in the future. In fact, did you know that the right diet can increase both the quality and length of your pet's life?

What makes an 'organic' diet so much better than any other type? Let's take a closer look........

In the mid 20th century dogs and cats lived for considerably longer than they do today.

They were also healthier overall, even though there wasn't the same level of veterinary care that there our pets enjoy now.

Many experts and pet-care professionals believe that a poor diet is one of the main reasons our pets are increasingly suffering from chronic or auto-immune conditions, and even dying early.

So, it makes sense to do your level best to make sure that your pooch gets the best quality dog food you can find, and natural organic dog food fits the bill!

The sale of 'natural' and 'organic' pet foods is growing at a much faster pace than that of regular, generic food, up to three times as fast, because pet owners are realizing the importance of premium ingredients.

After all, that old saying 'you are what you eat' doesn't just apply to humans! If your dog's food contains a whole host of 'nasties' such as hooves, beaks and feet, sub-standard grains and questionable (or downright dangerous) chemicals - then he's not likely to be in optimum health is he?

What Does 'Organic' Really Mean?

When we say something is 'organic', it means that it's been grown or raised without the use of artificial pesticides, fertilizers or chemicals. Basically an organic product is about as 'natural' as you can get

In the United States, any dog food that wants to carry the USDA Organic 'Seal' and 'Certified Organic' statement must meet the very strict standards which are set by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA).

In fact they're the same standards that are used for organic human food.

In short, these regulations mean that, by law, a truly organic dog food cannot include ingredients which contain any of the following:

Toxic pesticides
Artificial flavors, colors or preservatives
Synthetic growth hormones
Antibiotics
Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO's)
Irradiation

There are also regulation governing the manufacture of organic pet foods. Manufacturing plants and facilities are required (again by law) to:

Maintain detailed records of all pet food production so that source of ingredients can be traced and verified, and that production methods can be authenticated.
Be subjected to regular inspections by a USDA-accredited agent to make sure that all the standards, rules and regulations are being followed.

So, now we know what shouldn't be in a dog food that's labeled as 'organic', we can take a quick look at what should be there!

Organic dog food contains high quality, human grade ingredients that are easy to digest. Grains such as oats and barley are preferred over the more common corn or wheat (which can cause allergies).

Of course, as with your more main-stream dog foods, organic dog foods come in a wide variety of formulas and flavors.

The manufacturing process is also important, as some processes can rob the ingredients of valuable nutrients and enzymes. Lower cooking temperatures and natural preservatives are important.

The Benefits Of Organic Dog Food

All of the above sounds good, but you might be wondering exactly what the specific benefits of an organic diet are for your dog.

Well, there are quite a few, and they're all important.

Here are some of the 'biggies':

Better Overall Health & Longer Life

By providing superior, quality nutrition this type of food can improve your dog or puppy's health, giving him a stronger immune system, more energy and a greater zest for life! He could add years to his life, both literally and figuratively.

He may 'stay young' for an above average length of time as well as actually increase his life expectancy by as much as 3 years or more.

Disease Prevention

There are all sorts of dog health conditions which can be the result of inadequate nutrition, or exposure to dangerous chemicals, additives and toxins in dog food ingredients.

In addition to serious conditions such as heart disease, diabetes and cancers, there are a number of more minor symptoms (which can become major problems if left untreated) such as vomiting, diarrhea, urinary tract infections, skin infections and non-cancerous tumors.

Weight Control

Being overweight, or even obese, is a growing problem for pet dogs today. Illnesses such as diabetes, organ failure and joint problems are just a few of the side effects of a weight problem.

As organic dog food has a higher nutritional value and less fillers than most commercial dog foods it's more satisfying to your pup. This means that little your dog needs less food to be satisfied and isn't weighed down by 'empty' calories from fillers and poor quality ingredients.

Plus, he'll have more energy and that means he will feel fitter and be able to walk, play and run more... helping to keep his weight in check and his heart healthy.

More Digestible

Premium ingredients and no artificial chemicals or fillers means this type of food is easier for your pup's digestive system to handle.

This means less gas (whew, that's a plus) and he'll also need to 'poop' less - good news during the housebreaking stage!

Reduces Allergies & Food Sensitivities

Many dogs and puppies suffer from dog food allergies that can be caused by artificial additives, chemicals and fillers, or by sub-standard ingredients .

The superior quality of the ingredients in organic food means that common allergy-triggers (such as corn) are eliminated, plus it helps your dog's immune system grow (and stay) strong which can reduce his chances of suffering from allergic reactions, or even infections.

A sensitivity to a particular ingredient might cause a mild tummy upset and/or excessive gas. A true dog food allergy usually results in skin irritation and inflammation, and intense itching and scratching. Repeated ear infections or head shaking can also be a sign of allergies.