The Pet Food Patrols impartial pet food reviews and ratings according to brand or rating. The very best food for the health and wellness of your pet.  Pet food reviews, ratings, advisories and more. Were pet lovers. We know how important it is to understand what were feeding our animal friends. We help protect pets! Keep them happy and healthy!

Let's face it, buying dog food can be difficult and very confusing With so many different brands available - and all claiming to be the ideal food - how is it possible to know what to choose? It isn't helped by the constant advertising and marketing. It's a nightmare for every dog owner and many people simply give up and choose anything. That may be fine if the dog remains healthy, but what if it develops problems? And how do you know if your dog is as healthy as it could be?

If you ignore the marketing from the manufacturers, there are many things you can do to make sure you are making the best choice in food for your dog or puppy.

The first thing to bear in mind is that the price of the bag is not necessarily an indication of the true feeding cost. While the initial outlay of a food bag may be more, a more expensive brand may actually save you money. Usually you will find that with a better food you will feed a lot less, meaning the contents of the bag will go further. This is because cheaper brands are usually bulked up with filler ingredients that have little nutritional benefits; a dog will need to eat more. The other cost saving is in vet bills. Several nutritionists are now stating publicly that low quality foods are the cause of health problems in dogs, particularly later in their lives. A better food will most likely mean fewer visits to the vet.

In addition, many of the better food companies have loyalty card programs, where are several purchases you are entitled to a free bag. This reduces the feeding costs still further and should be factored into your cost calculations.

It is important to look at the ingredients of the foods before you choose to feed it to your dog of puppy. Avoid the foods containing such things as wheat, soy, beef and cereals. These can all be sources of allergies. Also stay away from by-products and animal fats and of course anything artificial such as preservatives, flavorings or colorings.

One of the best places to research and buy your dog food is online. As websites don't have the same costs as retail shops the food can often be bought at better prices. It can also make life easier to have the food delivered to your home.

Do your research by checking the ingredients and selecting a quality food for your dog. You will end up with a happier and healthier pet, and there is no reason why you shouldn't find it economical as well.

Owning a dog can be very rewarding but it can also be very expensive no doubt. However, nothing is to be gained by scrimping on dog food except the fact that you can end up with a very ill dog and a broken heart if the illness wins. The good news is that you can find dog food online that is not only budget-friendly, but also high-quality and one that your dog will love you for. All it takes is a reliable computer and internet connection, coupled with a lot of patience and you're good to go.

Are there any dogs who would not want to eat dog food made fresh and natural? Dog food that is made from homemade ingredients, the healthiest dog food, from dog food recipes? There are no better food that a dog can eat than homemade dog food, because it is the healthiest way we can get good nutrition to our beloved pets. As soon as owners realize completely what manufacturers are putting into those bags and cans, they also realize that it is that very food that is causing our dogs to get sick and develop diseases.

Some disturbing facts about K9 food that comes in cans and bags should come to light for dog owners to know about. One of the main preservatives used is ethoxyquin, which is a know carcinogen. It doesn't have to be listed on the nutrition label to actually be in the package. Fats are used to make the appearance of pet food more appetizing, but they don't have any control over companies that they obtain fats from, and these companies could use ethoxysquin in their products. Pet food companies don't have to list this ingredient, because they aren't the ones adding the ethoxyquin to the fat they put in their products, and this is therefore legal for them to leave off the nutrition label. Another chemical is propylene glycol, an additive used to keep the ingredients in and treats from falling apart. Propylene glycol has been attributed recently to causing cancer in cats. Because of this discovery, cat foods and treats no longer use it in their products. But, K9 foods and treats have yet to stop using it.

By making your own food from scratch ingredients at home, you know what is going into the food you are giving your dog. You can also make sure that just the right amounts are being added, so that there are just enough amounts of fats, carbs and protein being put into your dog's diet. Foods rich in fruits, vegetables, honey and peanut butter can be used in your own recipes. Imagine all the fresh meat that you introduce into your dog's diet. Meat such as turkey, chicken and beef, or even fish like halibut and tuna.

By taking the time to make your own food following healthy recipes puts you in control of what your dog eats. You'll learn what fresh foods are not healthy to feed your dog, like avocado, which contains persin, as well as caffeine, grapes and chocolate. Other foodstuffs to keep out of your dog food recipes are those that contain citrus oil, yeast dough and hops.

You will gain so many more benefits from creating home-made meals for your dog. Special diets that are needed due to a specific health problem are a great reason to go home-made. Competitions require training of your dog, which means meals with more calories and protein in them, and food that is store bought just doesn't meet those requirements. Perhaps you have a dog who has food allergies from what is contained in commercial foods, or maybe your dog has a hard time digesting that kind of food. Whatever the reason for changing, the biggest reason of all is realizing that to continue with store bought dry food provided by the big pet food brands means continuing to feed your dog all of those chemicals, preservatives and artificial ingredients, and that is just too much of a risk to your faithful dog's health.

By making your own food from scratch ingredients at home, you know what is going into the food you are giving your dog. You can also make sure that just the right amounts are being added, so that there are just enough amounts of fats, carbs and protein being put into your dog's diet. Foods rich in fruits, vegetables, honey and peanut butter can be used in your own recipes. Imagine all the fresh meat that you introduce into your dog's diet. Meat such as turkey, chicken and beef, or even fish like halibut and tuna.

Buying dog food can be a bit of a nightmare. After all there are so many brands on the market, all claiming to be the best possible food, complete nutrition and so on. There are also many television and print advertisements, all showing happy and healthy dogs and screaming to you to buy their brand ahead of any other.

However, if you go beyond the marketing hype there are a number of things you can do to ensure you get the best food for your dog or puppy. Not only that but you can save yourself some time and money as well.

Firstly, remember that the cheapest priced food will not always work out to be the most economical. Most of the lower cost brands contain cereals and other fillers that hold little nutritional value for dogs or puppies. That means that not only will your pet suffer health wise in the long run, but you will need to feed more. Because of that, you may find that your weekly food bill is greater than if you had used a better food in the first place. Remember too that poor food can create health problems that can mean bigger vet bills.

So don't just buy the cheapest. Look at the recommended daily feed allowance on the package and compare the average weekly cost. Remember too that many of the better brands offer loyalty plans where you can receive free bags; these should be taken into account when calculating the overall cost.

When looking at ingredients, favor the foods that have a named meat (such as chicken or lamb) or meat meal as the first ingredient on the label. The ingredients to avoid include cereals, wheat, soy, beef (a major cause of food allergies in dogs), animal fats and by-products. Certainly also steer clear of any foods with artificial colorings, preservatives or flavorings. These can all be harmful.

Once you know the brand or brands you wish to buy you can keep an eye out for any special offers. Dogs do not usually have problems switching between foods as long as the foods are of decent quality.

When considering where to buy your dog food, remember that a very good option these days is online. If you know the brand you are looking for (or at least the type of ingredients you are after) then you can get some very good value through online shopping. These online stores do not have the same running costs as retail outlets so can often be cheaper. You also get the convenience of home delivery.

With a bit of planning and research you can not only save time and money but you can ensure your dog or puppy has the healthiest and happiest life possible.

When you own a dog, regardless of whether it's a small dog or a large one, it needs one thing and one thing only that can be quite an expense: dog food. Most dog-owners who want to save money tend to go for cheap, low-quality dog food that would sooner give Fido heartworm than keep him happily full and fed.

Remember that dogs love you unconditionally, even if you give them food they would rather pass on and as such, you need to love them just as unconditionally by making sure they eat food that is not only healthy and nutritious but delicious as well.

Owning a dog can be very rewarding but it can also be very expensive no doubt. However, nothing is to be gained by scrimping on dog food except the fact that you can end up with a very ill dog and a broken heart if the illness wins. The good news is that you can find dog food online that is not only budget-friendly, but also high-quality and one that your dog will love you for. All it takes is a reliable computer and internet connection, coupled with a lot of patience and you're good to go.

The internet is the best source of information, as well as the best marketplace for anything you care to look for, including the best dog food around. With the immense success online shopping has been enjoying for quite some time now, retailers and business owners feel that not opening an online store is to their detriment. With anything and everything hot being sold online, how could the best dog food brands be far behind? Whether you're looking for dry, wet, organic or dog food with natural ingredients, you're sure to find it in cyberspace.

One thing that pet owners love about the internet is the ease and convenience with which they can find anything they need for their pets at prices that are cheaper than in retail pet food stores. Also, the wider variety of products is another thing that makes online shopping a better option, especially when it comes from sites that are owned by pet care experts and registered veterinarians, of which there are plenty.

In order to buy the best dog food, you need to determine first off the best type of diet for your dog. Puppies require high-calorie diets while large or overweight dogs require low-calorie diets. Older dogs who experience more than a few instances of rheumatism will require low-fat diets coupled with glucosomine while inactive dogs will require high-fiber diets. There are also dogs that will require prescription diets as they may be afflicted with medical problems like diabetes and allergies so to be sure, consult a qualified veterinarian before making any decisions.

The next thing you need to do is read the labels. There are many brands of dog food that claim to be more nutritious or more organic or more natural, but when you take a closer look at the ingredients, you'll find that these are mostly just high-fat and low in nutrients fillers. The best dog foods will typically contain higher amounts of chicken, lamb, beef or fish, along with rice and wheat to boost your dog's fiber and protein intake.

Choosing between dry and wet food will depend on what your dog likes but benefits-wise, dry food known as kibble is recommended since it cleans dog teeth better due to the fact that it doesn't have a high moisture content, which means it will also be easier to clean up after your dog because his stools will be harder and more compact. Plus, it is also cheaper than wet food since it costs less per serving. If your dog has dental problems, then wet food will be best since it is easier to chew. Wet food will also be better for dogs with digestive problems and those that need to lose weight or have diabetes because wet food has fewer carbohydrates.

If you are still unsure about what dog food to get for Fido, consult with a qualified veterinarian and have your dog checked for any health problems to help determine what type of food will be best for him. You can also go ahead and compare dog food brands online and weigh the pros and cons of each brand, as well as the costs of each one so you can not only get your dog the best dog food but also get one that doesn't break the bank.

Of all the types of dog food, this type of food is likely the unhealthiest for your pet. Why? It is full of preservative and sweeteners that you dog will love, but that are very unhealthy.

There are four different types of dog food that you can choose to help meet your dog's nutritional needs. Knowing what type of food to choose from can be a difficult process if you are unfamiliar with the options that are available to you. Read on to understand the different types of dog food available to help feed your pet.

Dry food

Dry dog food is perhaps the most popular type of food available on the market. High quality dry dog food not only provides exceptional nutrition, it also makes feeding your dog on a daily basis easy. The shelf life of the food last longer and the food can be left out for a long period of time during the day. It is formulated with quality protein, fruits and vegetables, and other essential ingredients to keep your pet healthy.

Raw food diet

A raw food diet, also known as BARF, also has advantages. One of those advantages is a shinier coat. Unfortunately, the disadvantages of this diet often discourage pet owners from making the switch. Bacteria from raw meat and limited shelf life are two of the disadvantages.

Canned food

A canned food diet can be a healthy choice for dogs if you can handle the bad breath and gastrointestinal upset that often comes along with choosing this type of diet. While there are very few preservatives added to canned few, there are many additives used to help enhance the flavor and taste of the food that may not be good for your dog.

Semi-moist food

Of all the types of dog food, this type of food is likely the unhealthiest for your pet. Why? It is full of preservative and sweeteners that you dog will love, but that are very unhealthy.

Hypoallergenic dog food

Some dogs can be prone to food intolerance and therefore require a simple diet that excludes the common triggers such as chicken, soya and wheat gluten. There are some fantastic hypoallergenic foods available for dogs but the prices vary dramatically. You should pay more attention to the list of ingredients than the price with this type of food.

Now that you have a better understanding of the types of dog food available for your dog, you can make an informed decision as to which food will be the healthiest for your pet. Dry dog food is without a doubt the best choice for busy dog owners who are looking an easy, nutritional method of feeding their pet. If you want your dog to enjoy a tasty snack every now and then, consider adding in canned food about once a week. Giving your dog a variety of food can be healthy if you know what food to choose from.

Once you know the brand or brands you wish to buy you can keep an eye out for any special offers. Dogs do not usually have problems switching between foods as long as the foods are of decent quality.

Buying dog food can be a bit of a nightmare. After all there are so many brands on the market, all claiming to be the best possible food, complete nutrition and so on. There are also many television and print advertisements, all showing happy and healthy dogs and screaming to you to buy their brand ahead of any other.

However, if you go beyond the marketing hype there are a number of things you can do to ensure you get the best food for your dog or puppy. Not only that but you can save yourself some time and money as well.

Firstly, remember that the cheapest priced food will not always work out to be the most economical. Most of the lower cost brands contain cereals and other fillers that hold little nutritional value for dogs or puppies. That means that not only will your pet suffer health wise in the long run, but you will need to feed more. Because of that, you may find that your weekly food bill is greater than if you had used a better food in the first place. Remember too that poor food can create health problems that can mean bigger vet bills.

So don't just buy the cheapest. Look at the recommended daily feed allowance on the package and compare the average weekly cost. Remember too that many of the better brands offer loyalty plans where you can receive free bags; these should be taken into account when calculating the overall cost.

When looking at ingredients, favor the foods that have a named meat (such as chicken or lamb) or meat meal as the first ingredient on the label. The ingredients to avoid include cereals, wheat, soy, beef (a major cause of food allergies in dogs), animal fats and by-products. Certainly also steer clear of any foods with artificial colorings, preservatives or flavorings. These can all be harmful.

Once you know the brand or brands you wish to buy you can keep an eye out for any special offers. Dogs do not usually have problems switching between foods as long as the foods are of decent quality.

When considering where to buy your dog food, remember that a very good option these days is online. If you know the brand you are looking for (or at least the type of ingredients you are after) then you can get some very good value through online shopping. These online stores do not have the same running costs as retail outlets so can often be cheaper. You also get the convenience of home delivery.

With a bit of planning and research you can not only save time and money but you can ensure your dog or puppy has the healthiest and happiest life possible.