Posts Tagged ‘dog food’

The Importance Of Dog Food Coupons For Dog Owners

Gregory J. Mccrea | July 15th, 2010

Dog food coupons can save a lot of money for dog owners. Some people say that there are two types of people in this world- ones who like dogs, and ones who do not. Many dog owners buy puppies instead of grown up dogs. Dog owners consider their dogs just like their family members. Have you heard the saying, A dog is a man’s best friend?

How can you make your best buddy happy? Do you keep him happy by giving him various chew toys and good dog food? But, at the same time, you will realize that dog food is really costly. You may use dog food coupons to save your money. There are many breeds of dogs. From tiny Chihuahuas to Giant Mastiffs- they all have different requirements. There are lots of dog owners who have more than one dog in their homes. Dog food coupons provide a great help to these types of dog owners. Dogs eat a lot, and if you are going to get an adorable puppy, you should think twice about the extra expenses that comes with it.

Growth of dogs is not like humans. A dog would become an adult in a year, and he would consume double the food of an average human. He requires specific dog food as well. Do you think you can pay for buying a bag of expensive dog food every couple of days? If you think you cannot afford it, it is better to acquire dog food coupons.

There are lots of good dog foods and dog chew available, that you can buy for your dog. If you do not want to use these pet food coupons, then some dog foods might come too costly for you. But if you get these coupons, you can buy all types of dog foods for your valuable animal friend.

You can also look for these coupons online, and you can definitely get lots of websites that offer you these coupons. You can acquire these dog food coupons for free. You simply have to download these coupons and get the hard copy of them. And then you can take this printout to the local pet supply store to get a discount. Using these coupons is really very simple and easy.

Feed your pet the best with cat food coupons and also check pet food coupons

Making The Switch To High Fiber Dog Food

Vivian Guthrie | April 11th, 2010

Dogs sometimes need a food with high fiber content, usually due to the fact that they are suffering from intestinal issues or problems in their digestive tract. While it’s true all kinds and brands of dog food contain fiber, it is the varying sources and the amounts that are the most important factors that distinguish a high fiber dog food from an “ordinary” type. You will find that regular, commercial dog foods contain about two to four percent of crude fiber while high fiber brands contain at least 10 percent.

Some natural ingredients in high fiber food for dogs include fruits and vegetables such as apples and sweet potatoes, whole grains, cereals, rice, the hulls of soybeans, beet pulp, and corn products.

You’ve probably heard of the importance of fiber in our diet but many pet owners don’t realize the impact it can have on their dogs. Problems like obesity, constipation, and anal gland disease are all often treated with a high fiber diet, which is said to reduce the risk of colon cancer. High fiber ingredients are usually lower in calories and will cause your dog to feel fuller longer, but without the added calories that contribute to weight gain.

Switching to a higher fiber food for your dog will help create larger, bulkier stools, which may not be exactly pleasant when it comes time to clean up the yard, but it just may help to put extra pressure on the anal glands, helping to solve the common but also irritating problem of anal gland disease. Anal gland disease may include abscessed, impacted, or infected anal glands, which are the two sacs just inside the opening of the anus that secrete fluid. Bulky stools can help to ease constipation as they put pressure on the inside of the intestines as they pass through the digestive tract, stimulating the entire process.

But, as is the case with just about anything, too much fiber can be bad for your dog’s health. Besides diarrhea and excessive flatulence, too much fiber can inhibit the way the body absorbs the essential nutrients, vitamins, and minerals it needs.

3 Top High Fiber Brands:

The following is a list of three of the best brands of high fiber food for dogs, taking factors such as consumer reviews, cost, and ingredients into consideration.

- Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Canine Calorie Control CC 26 High Fiber Dog Food: This formula for adult dogs is designed to promote weight loss in addition to providing more fiber. The food provides 18.30% of crude fiber and it must be purchased with a prescription from a veterinarian. Prices range from $20 for a 6-pound bag to $74 for the 33-pound size.

- Doctors Foster and Smith Adult Lite Dog Food Chicken Brown Rice Formula: This food contains 13% crude fiber, reduced calories, and has whole grains including barley and brown rice, fruits like apples, and vegetables such as sweet potatoes and carrots. A five-pound bag averages $10 and the 23-pound size is $35.

- Hill’s Science Diet Adult Light Dog Food: This dry dog food contains 18.5% crude fiber and ingredients such as soybean mill run, soybean meal, ground whole grain corn, and several vitamins. A five-pound bag averages $14 and the largest-40 pound size is $50.

Although it may seem like a good idea for you to switch to a high fiber food for your pet’s health, always consult with your own veterinarian first as there may be other underlying health issues to consider. When switching brands or types of dog foods after the approval of your vet, the process should be a gradual one to avoid stomach upset or the risk of causing additional digestive problems.

Health Disclaimer: Keep in mind that these are opinions only and are meant to provide general information. The content in this article should not be interpreted as medical advice. You should always check with your veterinarian before making significant changes to your dog’s diet.

Want to find out more about high fiber dog food? Visit my blog to learn how to compare dog foods and to find out how to make your own dog food.