When I was young, my brothers and I carried lunch bags to school filled with sandwiches made from thick slices of homemade bread, which our peers would gladly trade for theirs made of Wonder Bread. Granola was something that came out of our oven, not a box. The only time we savored the delicacies of sugar-coated cereals was when our grandparents smuggled them into our house disguised as Christmas packages. Those boxes were the first to be opened. Fast food, to me, meant devouring my lunch quickly to squeeze out some extra time at recess. I’ll never forget the arrival of McDonald’s in Roswell. As the golden arches climbed the New Mexico skyline, illuminating our small town with an otherworldly presence, it felt like the world was on the brink of an exciting gastronomical revolution. Once a month, on Mom’s payday, we were treated to a gourmet banquet of Big Macs and fries. Sweets were rationed like gas in the 70s, and as a result, I never developed a craving for sugar nor experienced the feeling of a cavity or a tooth being drilled. Ah yes, I was definitely robbed of my childhood. Why is it that even now, I saunter through flu season without so much as a sneeze? The answer is simple: good nutrition. Thanks, Mom.
Nutrition serves as a preventive measure against health problems, just as obedience can prevent behavioral issues. So let’s talk about the dog dish. Conventional dog food was developed in the 1950s, and reading the list of ingredients alone could make any human or animal nauseous—boil, boil, toil, and trouble. Most commercial-grade dog foods are made from one or all of the 4 D’s: Dead, Disease, Dying, or Disabled. Essentially, anything not fit for human consumption is sent to the factory, thrown into a vat, rendered, and processed through a method called extrusion, resulting in kibble made mostly of fillers, by-products, and supplements, all sprayed with flavor enhancers to make it tastier. Getting hungry? Many commercial dog foods are akin to feeding your dog a diet of fast food. While there’s nothing quite like a six-pack of White Castle cheeseburgers at 3:30 a.m. after a night out, my morning-after blues usually stem from that junk, not the margaritas.
Thankfully, many pet food companies are catering to owners who recognize the importance of a nutrient-rich diet made from clean, quality ingredients that even Mom would eat. We are seeing an increase in high-quality foods that are “human grade,” meaning you could actually dine on them yourself. And there’s an added benefit: less poop! When selecting dog food, here are some ingredients to avoid: chemical preservatives (BHA, BHT, ethoxyquin), non-specific meat and bone meal, meat by-products or by-product meal, non-specific fish products, cellulose, blood meal, ground corn or wheat flour, rice and peanut hulls, animal digest, and sweeteners like beet pulp, fructose, and cane molasses.
Good ingredients include specific wet meats like fresh chicken, turkey, lamb, or herring (or their dried counterparts, listed as “meal”), whole grains like barley, rice, and oats, fresh vegetables such as tomatoes, alfalfa sprouts, and potatoes, and natural preservatives like rosemary extract. You can also dress up your dog’s dish with fresh vegetables—dogs are omnivores! Carrots and apples make wonderful treats. Just remember to gradually introduce a new kibble; rushing the process is a sure way to give your pet a case of the “runs.”
As we have choices, so do our pets. There are many brands of animal nutrition to choose from, and I can recommend several. To discuss your pet’s personal nutrition, feel free to shoot me an email, and I’ll give you the 411 before Fido gets the 911.
About the Author
Zack Grey is a veterinarian-recommended professional dog trainer specializing in obedience and behavior. After launching his own company, UrbanTails (www.theurbanpet.net/), Zack was quickly recognized for his innovative personal training techniques. He has been profiled by numerous publications, including DailyCandy.com, IN Los Angeles, and MSN.com, and currently writes an “Ask Zack” column in The Pet Gazette. Television credits include appearances on Access Hollywood, Fox Reality, TV Guide’s Reality Chat, and starring as the trainer in Lifetime’s reality show “Off the Leash.” Zack can also be heard on XM satellite radio’s The Agenda with Joe Solmonese. His celebrity clients include Ellen DeGeneres, Portia De Rossi, Michael Eisner, and Milla Jovovich, among many others.
