Grain Free Dog Food Recommended

Cape hunting dogs forage in packs and set out at dusk to start their predations. With their alert ears and shining coats they make an ideal marketing picture for grain free dog food. They may never have taken a mouth full of the top dog food brand sold in supermarkets but seem none the worse for that. They're lean and mean and shining with good health.

Such canines are omnivorous. They will eat what they find as they set out on the hunt. There will be many piles of elephant and rhinoceros dung crawling with beetles. Birds eggs may be hidden in the grass and some fruits and berries are tasty snacks.

When the kill is done they will gorge on the contents of their prey's stomach contents which will be largely vegetable matter. Raw meat will be mixed with hair and bone. After the feeding frenzy water will follow, and some mouthfuls of fleshy grass growing in the damp soil near the water.

In all the variety available to them there will probably be little wheat, barley or maize meal. Meat will predominate and it is the search for pure meat protein that drives their search for nutrients.

Canned feed may contain too much water and maize meal for optimum nutrition. The few scraps of meat or meat flavor in a can may encourage an animal to wolf down the contents in preference to dry food but the preponderance of carbohydrates may lead to unhealthy obesity.

Scientifically formulated foods may aim to be complete nutritional packages containing all that an animal needs. Salt may be used to moderate intake so that an animal on this diet will not grow fat. However, the scenario is undeniably similar to a human person who may be faced with eating a ration of exactly the same diet every day. The regime does not leave much room for the canine emotions so often associated with food.

Vets who recommend a switch to grain free canine food are probably not thinking about the personal preferences of pets. Rather they may be concerned to provide pets with a healthier proportion of protein versus carbohydrate. Carbohydrates in grain meal are certainly cheaper than meat and may make an animal feel replete, if not wholly satisfied.

On one hand the cost of foods with more meat will be higher because pure protein is expensive. On the other hand an animal might need less of such feed on account of the higher protein content. Quality can be played off against quantity. Good brands of feed will also have vitamins and supplementary elements.

Supplements might include potatoes, peas, tomatoes canola or sunflower oil and rosemary. Many other possibilities exist and much depends on availability. There can be not doubt that such supplements are good for dogs and far exceed the benefits of grains, or grain derivatives.

Fish may be a better source of protein than chicken or beef in a grain free dog food. This is because it will have a lower fat content. For an elderly and slightly obese friend this could be the best option.