There are so many brands and types of dog food on the market that you can get dizzy just walking down the pet aisle of your supermarket. When selecting a dog food, it’s important to check the ingredients.  Here are some tips that may help you make a healthy selection for your pet.

• A very simple rule is that MEAT should always be the first thing that you see in the ingredients.
• Always look for the source of the meat. Is it lamb, beef etc.?
• Fatty acids such as omega 3 and omega 6 should be included in the label as they are important for your dog’s skin and coat.
• If you see ingredients such as vitamin C or E or citric acids, these are acceptable preservatives.
• Avoid foods containing wheat, artificial flavoring, soy, corn, coloring or by products.
• All good dog foods should contain a blend of fruits and vegetables. These are natural antioxidants.
• Avoid preservatives such as  BHA, BHT or Ethoxyquin.

A basic rule of thumb to follow is to avoid any dog food where GRAIN is the main ingredient and avoid any dog food that lists more than one source of grain in the first few ingredients.  Dogs and cats must get their protein from meat not grain. Remember, never use dog treats for your dogs main diet. The necessary nutrition is just not there.