Low Fat Dog Food

There is a difference between a low fat and a low calorie diet and we'll discuss low calorie dog food in another article. While it's true that a lot of dogs in North America are overweight or obese (an estimated 40 to 60 percent, depending on the survey), low fat diets are usually provided when dogs have health conditions that make eating much fat problematic. Low calorie diets, on the other hand (or paw), are more often the choice if your dog needs to lose weight. There can be some overlap, but here we'll talk about feeding low fat dog food for health reasons.

What is low fat?

A low fat diet is usually considered to be one that has less than 10 percent fat by dry matter basis (less than 17 percent calories from fat). A diet with moderate fat is considered to be one that has between 10 and 15 percent fat by dry matter basis (17 to 23 percent fat from calories). And a high fat diet would be one that is more than 20 percent fat by dry matter basis. As when figuring any nutrient in a pet food, it is important to subtract the moisture content so you can make comparisons on a dry matter basis. You can use a good online calculator for figuring dry matter basis for pet food nutrients, such as this one. These are only rough estimates of the amount of fat in the food and how much your dog would be eating. You can go into more detail by reading the DogAware.com site. But these figures will give you enough to get started and make some useful comparisons. Many dog foods actually contain more fat than is listed on the label so in order to get accurate numbers for your calculations you will need to contact the pet food company and ask for them.

Which dogs need low fat diets?

Low fat diets are intended as adult maintenance diets for dogs who have chronic or acute attacks of pancreatitis that recur. Dogs who have exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI) because of damage to their pancreas may also need a low fat diet. Dogs who have inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) can do well on a low fat diet in some cases. And some dogs require a low fat diet to control hyperlipidemia – high levels of triglycerides in the blood that can be a precursor to pancreatitis. You might wish to try any dog who is having digestive problems on a low fat diet, on a temporary basis, to see if it helps. You can always discontinue the low fat diet if there is no improvement. Some dogs have an intolerance to fat or problems with malabsorption. These dogs can have symptoms such as weight loss and diarrhea. In some especially bad cases they can excrete excessive fat in the stool – called steatorrhea – producing stool which is large, greasy, pale, and stinky. Poor fat absorption can also be linked with gall bladder and liver disease, infection in the intestines, lymphangiectasia (a dilation of the lymph vessels that can result in a chronic form of protein-losing enteropathy); and other problems. Dogs with any of these conditions can benefit from a low fat diet. However, this is not a hard and fast rule. Some dogs can return to a more normal diet once they are on the road to recovery. If a low fat diet isn't working for your dog, you can adjust the diet and increase the amount of fat to see if it helps. It's also important to note that a low fat diet should not be fed to a pregnant or nursing dog or to a growing puppy. These dogs have greater nutritional needs and a low fat diet would be harmful for them. A low fat diet is only meant as a maintenance diet for adult dogs in certain situations.

Can a diet be too low fat?

Yes. Diets that are extremely low in fat are not usually recommended for dogs, even dogs with some of the conditions mentioned here. Diets that are too low in fat will probably not be nutritionally adequate in other ways for your dog, even if you add supplements to the diet. The National Research Council (NRC) which conducts research on dog nutrition does not recommend feeding dogs less than about 5 percent fat by dry matter basis, or less than 10 percent of calories from fat. That would be a very low fat food. Keep in mind that some vitamins are fat-soluble. Without enough fat in the diet, your dog will not get enough of these vitamins. Skin, coat, and other organs can exhibit problems. Your dog can also feel hungry and lack energy without enough fat in the diet. If your dog is having some of these dietary issues or gastrointestinal problems, you're probably already seeing your vet since problems like pancreatitis and other health issues are very noticeable – even life-threatening. If you're not, we suggest that you take your dog to see your vet about the health issues and you can work together on the diet. There are some commercial dog foods that provide a low or moderately-low fat diet, but it's important to make sure that the food still has enough protein for your dog. Low fat and low protein combined are not recommended. There are also some low fat prescription diets available. In some cases your dog might not like the taste of these foods. It's often the fat in a dog food that makes it taste good to dogs. If your dog doesn't like the taste of a low fat dog food you can try adding something to make it taste a little better such as cooked skinless chicken, a little boiled egg, or some cooked beef heart. If your dog will eat a little fruit, you can give him some slices of banana or some blueberries mixed in with his dog food. As long as he can eat these foods without problems, they should make his low fat dog food a little more appealing.

I and Love and You Dog Food

This pet food company may have a strange name, but there is no denying that they have a noble purpose. I and Love and You is a pet food company dedicated to providing pets with the high-quality nutrition they deserve. The name of this company is intended to be a symbol of the bond between pets and their humans and the quality of their products is a reflection of that bond. I and Love and You’s products are designed with input from holistic veterinary surgeons and they are all formulated to provide pets with complete and balanced whole-food nutrition. This company uses only the freshest, premium-quality ingredients and real meat is always at the top of every ingredient list. This company’s products are guaranteed grain-free, made without corn, wheat, soy, and rice products and without any artificial ingredients.

Source: http://petfood.chat/dogfood/love/

Not only are I and Love and You’s products made with high-quality ingredients, but most of their formulas are produced right here in the U.S.A. This company promises their customers real meat, zero grains, and no artificial anything – this applies to both their dry food and wet food products. For wet food, I and Love and You offers three different products for dogs – Gobble It Up Stew, Cluckin’ Good Stew, and Beef Booyah Stew. I and Love and You also offers 10 different options in dog treats and chews as well as a line of holistic supplements. These supplements can be added to your dog’s food to help with common conditions and health problems like allergies, stress, and achy joints.

Iams Dog Food

The Iams pet food brand is produced and manufactured by Mars, Inc., the sixth largest privately held company in the U.S., according to Forbes magazine. The Iams Company was started in 1946 by Paul Iams, an animal nutritionist, and it was operated out of a small feed mill in Dayton, OH. By 1950, Iams had developed the world’s first animal-based protein dry dog food product – it was called Iams 999. By 1969, Iams had released the Eukanuba brand which is still sold today. The company was turned over to Clay Mathile in 1982 and sold to Proctor &Gamble in 1999 and, in 2014, it again changed hands as the company was sold to Mars, Incorporated. Today, the Iams brand is produced by Spectrum Brands in Europe and Mars, Inc. in the U.S.

More information: http://petfood.chat/dogfood/iams/

Though many of Iams’ products are marketed as being all-natural or made with high-quality ingredients, the ingredients list on the product labels sometimes tell a different story. For the most part, the Naturals line appears to be made with quality ingredients like real chicken, meat meals, whole grains, and fresh fruits and vegetables. The Premium Protection line is marketed as Iams’ “most advanced nutrition ever”. A quick review of the ingredients list, however, shows a number of questionable ingredients like chicken by-product meal and corn meal as well as a lack of probiotics and chelated minerals. The Veterinary Formula line is designed for dogs with specific dietary or medical needs and the ingredients seem to provide decent nutrition but the Iams So Good! line of dog foods is full of corn and soy products, not to mention by-product meals instead of whole protein sources.

Acana Dog Food

While many commercial pet food products are high in carbohydrates, each and every one of Acana’s pet food products is low in carbohydrates in keeping with the natural evolutionary diet of wild dogs. Additionally, Acana products are formulated in keeping with Whole Prey ratios. This includes more than just the muscle meat and tissue from animal proteins – it also includes organ meats for essential vitamins and minerals plus cartilage and raw bones for optimum calcium and phosphorus levels. By following a Whole Prey formula, Acana can provide for the complete nutritional needs of dogs without the use of synthetic vitamin and mineral supplements in their products. All of the nutrients in Acana pet food products are naturally present which means that they are more biologically valuable and easier for your dog’s body to digest and absorb.

In the spring of 2016, Acana released a new line of dry food products called Acana Regionals. The Regional line for dogs each includes four updated formulas including the following options: Meadowland, Wild Atlantic, Grasslands, and Appalachian Ranch. All Regionals formulas are protein-rich, made with fresh meats like free-run chicken, wild-caught fish, and nest-laid eggs. Each formula is designed to nourish the whole body of dogs, mimicking their natural evolutionary diet by being rich in animal proteins and fats but low in carbohydrates. Acana also offers the Singles line of updated recipes which are made with a limited number of ingredients for dogs with food allergies or sensitivities. These recipes include Lamb & Apple, Pork & Squash, Duck & Pear, and Mackerel & Greens.

Pet Food Recalls: http://www.fda.gov/animalveterinary/safetyhealth/recallswithdrawals/
Coupons: http://thekrazycouponlady.com/

Blue Buffalo Dog Food

The Blue Buffalo Company offers four different lines of pet food products. The Wilderness line includes a number of meat-rich formulas inspired by the diets of wild cats and dogs. The Freedom line is completely grain-free, made with digestible carbohydrates like sweet potatoes and peas. The Blue line of natural recipes features Blue Buffalo’s LifeSource Bits which are made with a proprietary blend of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals to support your pet’s whole body health.

The Basics line of products includes several Limited Ingredient Diets which are designed for dogs with food allergies and intolerances, made with novel proteins and gluten-free carbohydrates.
No matter what your dog’s individual nutritional needs may be, Blue Buffalo has a product that will meet those needs. While the formulations of their different products lines may vary, all of Blue Buffalo’s products are complete and balanced, made with the freshest ingredients available. Blue Buffalo formulates and produces all of their products right here in the United States and their manufacturing facilities follow the strictest standards for quality and safety. When you buy a bag or can of Blue Buffalo pet food you can rest assured that the product is safe and nutritionally valuable for your pet.

Source: http://petfood.chat

Pet Food Chat: Dog Food Reviews and Coupon

Cats have become the most popular pets in the United States. They now outnumber dogs as companions by several millions according to various sources. That doesn't even begin to count the number of feral and stray cats that don't have homes. They dominate the Internet with cute photos, videos of their naughty exploits, and web sites devoted to their every need. If cats were
worshiped in ancient Egypt and reviled in the Middle Ages, they have now become media su per stars in our time.

Here at Pet Food Chat we want to help you learn everything you need to know about cat foods so you can choose the best food for the cat that allows you to serve him (or her). We realize that your cat is probably too busy sleeping, self-grooming, and watching the occasional bird to read about cat foods, so we will aim this information at you, the humble human.

Fortunately, many cat foods today are of much better quality than they were just a few years ago. There are many companies ranging from well-known, large pet food manufacturers to small companies that specialize in super premium foods. You can select from canned or dry foods; raw frozen; or freeze-dried foods. There are many meat protein choices. You can choose foods that
are grain free, gluten-free, made for indoor cats, or for cats with specific health issues. Whatever kind of food your cat needs, you can probably find it. We'll be reviewing these foods and adding them to the site regularly.

Our job here on Pet Food Chat is to provide nutritional information about cat food that is factual. We look at brands to provide an overview of their foods, as well as the specific food we review. We look at individual ingredients and their pros and cons. We try to tell you who makes the food, if they use a co-packer, and where the food is made, though this information is not always easy to find. We also provide information about companies and previous recalls as it pertains to how the company makes food and does business. We think that consumers want to know this information when they are choosing a food for their cat.

We want you to have the very best unbiased information possible so you can make decisions for your feline friend about his diet. Our reviewers don't take gifts or pet food from any of the
companies reviewed here. We are pet owners just like you and we buy food from the same places as you. These are independent reviews based solely on nutritional information, recall histories,
and other data provided in our reviews. We don’t have an agenda or an axe to grind for or against any companies. We just try to tell the truth about pet foods.

So, if you are looking for honest cat food reviews, please check out our site and our reviews and coupons.

And welcome to Pet Food Chat! We are happy you're here. We hope you and your cat will be

happy, too.

We also have a healthy amount of coupons to help you save money on dog food.