When I am called to a client's home for a behavioral consultation or for an initial consultation regarding obedience and manners training, one of the first questions I ask is:

"What are you feeding your dog, how much, and how often?"

I am not a veterinarian, nor am I a nutritionist, but I have studied nutrition in dogs, cats and horses for over 25 years. And in many discussions with other dog trainers and other animal behavior professionals, we have all had first-hand experience where a dog's diet has had a huge impact on its behavior.

Dr. TJ Nunn, Jr, DVM posted an article on thepetcenter.com and I've found that it really sums up my experience and what I've found to be true about dogs and nutrition. 

The only caveat I will add with regard to Dr. Nunn's article is he states very emphatically that protein levels should be at least 30% and as an animal behavior professional, and I have  certified nutritionists and other vet nutritionists who say that in some special cases high protein levels can be beneficial and in many more cases, lower protein levels are more advantageous, but Dr. Nunn's real point is the quality and source of the protein is what is critical!

Dogs are not herbivores, they are carnivores. Therefore a meat-based diet with fruits and vegetables and a high quality source of starch is a more natural diet for canines than a grain-based diet with some meat in some form (usually a low-quality, highly processed form).

The Best Food For Dogs

written by T. J. Dunn, Jr. DVM on Tuesday, September 15, 2009

What is the best food to feed a dog? Every day veterinarians are asked that question by dog owners. It's a sincere question because most dog owners want to feed the best diet regardless of price or convenience of acquisition. To read more, please click here:  thepetcenter.com

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How does your Dog Food Brand compare?

Are you concerned about the dry food your dog is eating? Looking for detailed information about certain food ingredients? Confused about inconsistent information about dogfood from pet food manufacturers? Need help comparing dog food brands and finding a better one?

Then you are exactly where I was when I first heard about the disgusting materials some pet food manufacturers put into their products. I picked up a bag of Science Diet and consciously looked at the ingredient list for the first time. Even without any previous knowledge I could see that it did not include any real meat and was preserved with the same chemicals I avoid in human food products. I never bought another bag of Science Diet and started researching and comparing products. One of the things I learned was that any commercial sources are best avoided if you want hard facts, not biased "infomercial" style sales pitches trying to sell you one product or another. Hopefully you will find this site helpful, make up your own mind about different food brands and their quality, choose a better food and who knows - maybe even save some money.

Questions? Feel free to send The Dog Food Project an email at questions@dogfoodproject.com. To visit their site go to:

http://www.dogfoodproject.com

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Remember to always discuss any health or nutritional decisions with your own veterinarian. Our area has great veterinarians who are well-educated and informed in their field. Do discuss this article with your own veterinarian, feel free to mention where you obtained the information, and then see what they have to say. The best indicator of whether or not something needs to change in your dog's diet is your dog's coat, skin, ears and dental health. Your vet will be able to help you evaluate your dog's health and make good recommendations.

Study Dog Nutrition on Your Own!

Here are some great resources for finding out about dog dietary needs and nutrition. You can then talk to your vet and make your own better informed decisions regarding what to feed your dogs.

Check out our newest partner in nutrition advice for dog owners!

Adam Purdy, of Dog Food Chat – www.dogfoodchat.com - has been "chatting" with me, and I am impressed with the discussions and information his website provides. Please welcome Dog Food Chat to our nutrition resources.