Having a dog can make your life and experiences positive, from numerous points of view. First of all, dogs are loyal beings and it is said they are the only beings that can love you more than they love themselves. If you show them kindness, love and respect, you will receive unconditional love and loyalty back.
Secondly, dogs can be extremely helpful and therapeutic – they can literally ail numerous health affections and can help children with autism, persons who do not see or little children to better fit into the society.
However, having a dog also comes with plenty of responsibilities. Basically, it is just like having a two-year old kid in your daily care. You have to feed them, you have to bath them, you have to take them out daily and you most definitely need to make time for them – to play and to teach them. Growing a healthy dog from a sweet pup takes a lot of hard work and dedication, but it pays the price in the end.
Looking after your loyal friend starts with a good nutrition and health care. And that is why you should at least consider to give him corn-free dog food every now and then.
- Corn contains vital nutritious elements for the development of your dog’s health and immune system
- Corn is a rich source of carbohydrates, omega 6 and antioxidants
- Corn has a high glycemic index and might be genetically manipulated
- Soy and other natural products might be a good alternative for grain and wheat sometimes
Benefits of good nutrition for your dog
Choosing healthy and balanced products for your dog is crucial, no matter the size or the age of your friend. By offering your dog a variety of delicious foods will not only keep him healthy, but also will prevent and fight certain regular health affections. And for this you do not need corn or wheat all the time, you may also consider soy, grain or other natural products.
Some dog breeds are more prone to developing certain health affections like others, thus it is important to create the perfect balance between nutrition and a healthy lifestyle for your dog. By appealing to a healthy nutrition you will receive the following benefits for your dog:
Healthy skin and thick, luscious and shiny fur
A dog that has a rich and thick hair coat is most definitely a healthy animal. This means to find the perfect balance between omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids to provide that shiny fur. On the contrary, not offering balanced food to your dog will further lead to split ends, and your dog’s fur will easily get tangled, thin, and will fall.
Digestion
Good digestion is kept by offering your dog sufficient carbohydrates and fibers that will lead to a healthy bowl and proper elimination. However, be careful of how you balance the number of carbs your dog eats on a regular basis. It has to be calculated depending on the height, the size, and the age of your animal, as well as depending on how active your pet is on a regular basis.
Adding natural products such as soy can be important for this. Other products used as a filler, such as grain, can have a negative impact on digestion. That is why grain-free might just be the right choice.
Increasing immunity and preventing diseases
As previously mentioned, some dog breeds are more prone to developing certain health affections. For instance, pugs and bulldogs are prone to obesity and heart disease, while German shepherds are prone to hip dysplasia which could lead to arthritis. On the contrary, Yorkshire Terriers or “Yorkies” can easily develop digestive problems, thus a proper diet is mandatory.
How to choose the proper food for your dog
The purpose of good nutrition for your dog is to supply the body with all the minerals and vitamins it requires for a long and healthy lifestyle. Dogs derive from wild wolves that are primarily carnivore animals.
Although most of their hunting instincts are gone, dogs still require a large proportion of meat supplies to maintain a proper and healthy lifestyle. Here is what you should look for when buying dog food: crude proteins, crude, crude fibers, and moisture. Also, be careful to check for the fillers used. It might matter a lot.
So, go on to the internet and start reading reviews that check out the formulas of all kinds of no-corn dog food. You will find each review having ratings according to the prices (on Amazon for instance) and ingredients that the products contain. We will publish some honest reviews on this very page soon, so bookmark it so you can come back here later.
If you decide to buy dry food for your dog, you need to take into consideration very seriously the label of the food provided. If it doesn’t contain sufficient amounts of real meat like chicken for instance, your dog (or other pet) will not receive the necessary rate of vitamins and proteins which are vital for his development further on.
Also, you should stay away from the so-called “premium” or “gourmet” delights because they are of no guarantee that the products are truly more balanced, nutritious, and healthy for your non-talking friends. Also, nearly all brands use fillers for their produced foods, and corn is, together with potatoes, the most well-known filler of them all. It is a lot less nutritious than other filler products such as soy, wheat, rice or sweet potatoes.
Some scientists are doing please for holistic dog food or gluten-free dog food or even rice foods for dogs, but in fact, all you have to consider is a great balanced meal, day after day. From research results in this field, we learn that especially owners of fat and adult pets need to balance out the diet for their friends well. Elsewhere on this website, you will surely find some recipe that fits the right diet for your dog, whether it is a puppy or an adult.
Dry dog food vs. “real” dog food
Ever since modern pet companies appeared it has been a constant struggle whether or not dogs should eat dry foods or kibbles. While some veterinarians suggest dry food is easier enriched with all the nutrients necessary for good growth and development of your dog, some others say that dry food is only made out of toxic and non-edible elements and will harm the dog on the long run. Dog food is mainly made out of “failed” wheat or corn combined with meat that didn’t pass the USDA inspection.
In other words, most pet food selling brands invest millions of dollars in marketing and advertising campaigns to build the idea that dogs receive healthy food in the form of dry crackers. In reality, the easiest way to compare real food versus so-called “dog” food is to simply make a parallel – how would you feel if you were forced to eat dry food and can food for the rest of your life?
After a short period of time you will desperately feel the need of fresh fruit or a vegetable, or anything that doesn’t feel processed or dry at all. Then why do you assume your dog wouldn’t have the same needs? You understand now why you should at least consider buying grain-free dog food for your best friend?
No corn dog food versus corn dog food
98% of the companies providing canned or dry dog food use corn. The idea behind the big question regarding your dog’s foods is whether or not corn represents a healthy ingredient that should be used on a daily basis. The truth is that corn contains numerous nutritious elements that are vital for the development of your dog’s health and immune system.
First of all, corn is an important source of protein. Apart from proteins, wheat is also rich in amino acids which represent an ingredient of great importance for keeping healthy muscles, luscious skin and thick and shiny fur.
Secondly, whole corn is a rich source of carbohydrates which help the digestive system and represent an important source of energy for your dog.
Thirdly, corn is also known for its important intake of linoleic acid, an omega-6 fatty acid which is crucial for enhancing your dog’s growth and providing an overall healthy immune system and body.
Last but not least, corn also provides an important source of antioxidants which fight against free radicals. The vitamin E contained by corn is vital for the hair and skin of your dog, while beta carotene provides a healthy vision and improves the immune system.
What are the main downsides of feeding your dog corn and corn meal?
While the corn benefits are undeniable, a meal exclusively based on corn and processed meat may lead to more health problems than benefits. More and more dog food industries begun to provide puppy food without corn as they believe it is healthier.
And while wheat contains high intakes of corn and carbs which later transform in proteins, you should bear in mind that your dog doesn’t have the same digestive system as us humans. Carbohydrates are a great source of energy. However, numerous pet food manufacturers appeal to corn as their main source of proteins since it is much cheaper than animal protein obtained from meat, like chicken. That is why grain free products tend to be more costly than non grain-free dog foods.
But dogs were created as mainly carnivorous animals, meaning that keeping them on vegetal protein would harm on the long term. Our dog’s digestive systems are not used to processing large amounts of corns such as in the case of cows or humans, thus may lead to health issues. However, a small quantity of wheat meals isn’t harmful.
Secondly, corn meal is also extremely rich in glycemic index which leads to high blood sugar levels and, in time, to hearth diseases and maybe diabetes. Corn could also lead to certain food allergies.
Last but not least a large debate has been on the table considering most of the corn coming from today’s crops is genetically modified. While humans develop resistance in time when it comes to genetic modifications in fruits, grains and vegetables, dogs may find it harder to adjust, especially since genetically modified crops were not developed for dogs in the first place, but for humans.
Intestinal disorders, allergies and possible problems to liver and kidney represent the main drawbacks of dogs consuming genetically modified wheat dog food. Thus, you should definitely consider replacing at least a part of your dog’s daily dietary habits with grain and corn-free dog food.
Brands offering grain free dog food
Luckily, more and more brands developed alternatives to no corn dog food, thus there is now sufficient diversity on the market. Natural Life, Solid Gold, Wellness Core, Kirkland or Nature’s Recipe represent only some of the brands now providing grain free or corn free dog food. And since you can easily find most of these products in pet shops, supermarkets or regular universal shops, they are worth giving a try when it comes to your dog’s eating habits. In a few weeks, we will be publishing the results of our search for the ultimate grain free products to serve your dog the very best meal he deserves.
However, there is nothing compared to “real” food. Cooked food and especially cooked light meat represent the best and most satiable alternatives for a great dog diet and should not be ignored for canned dog food. Even if you cook it yourself, you now know why corn free is definitely to be considered.
