Dog Food By Nature

I've made a commitment to give Kelly the best dog food that I can afford. I already see results, particularly in her bloodwork results. Labs that were elevated or borderline are now all normal. I definitely believe that her health is improved by quality food.

We haven't settled on one type of food, although we've found several that we like (and can afford.) Recently, Rob at by Nature® Natural and Organic Pet Foods contacted me and asked if Kelly might like to sample some of their food.


Here are some facts about by Nature®:

* small New England based company

* uses no fillers (such as corn, wheat, or soy)

* uses high quality, natural ingredients

* includes vitamins, minerals and antioxidants

* offers a natural, nutritionally complete organic line (organic meat, grains, fruits and vegetables, all USDA, Oregon Tilth or OCIA International Certified Organic.)

On their website, I visited "Share Your Story" where I learned about other pets who have benefited from by Nature® pet food.

When the big bag arrived, Kelly was ready to dig in. Kelly received the organic chicken formula for dogs. The number one ingredient is organic chicken. Among the other ingredients are brown rice, organic peas, and organic spinach. The food actually smelled good, and was in nice, little kibbles. Kelly loves this food, and gives it 4 paws up!
Thank you by Nature® for letting us sample this food, and for the neat canvas tote, too!

Note: by Nature® provided us with an 8 lb. bag of dog food to sample, but all the opinions in this review are my own (and Kelly's!)

Dog Food Month- Ultimate Pet Food Guide

Where do you turn to get information about feeding your pet? The breeder or shelter? Your veterinarian? Television ads?

I'm learning a lot from pet lovers, dog trainers and pet business owners. In addition, a friend recently sent me a copy of this book, The Ultimate Pet Food Guide by Liz Palika. The author is a veteran dog trainer and behaviorist, and has written more than 65 books about dogs and other pets, including The Ultimate Dog Treat Cookbook.

6 Things I Learned From This Book:

1. Dogs have taste buds on their tongues like humans, and can get addicted to the taste of sugar just as people can. If we feed our dogs lots of sweets, not only is it fattening and unhealthy, but the dog may reject healthier food. Hey, I'd prefer to eat chocolate sundaes all day if given the chance!

2. Lots of diets today focus on the Glycemic Index. This is not just for people--it's important for our pets too. Food with a low GI (apple, barley, kidney beans, oatmeal) help provide more balanced sugar levels and help keep behavior stable too. If your pet has a behavior problem, it's important to review their diet, in addition to other factors.

3. If you choose to go for the convenience of commercial dog food, it's really, really important to choose a premium quality food, made with superior ingredients in the best processing conditions possible. This still may not be satisfactory for some people, but for others it is an acceptable choice.

4. Another option is to add quality home prepared foods to quality commercial food. Decrease the amount of commercial food and add some fresh turkey, carrots, pumpkin or cottage cheese.

5. When considering raw diet, the author raised some concerns but also praised Dr. Billinghursts BARF Combo fresh frozen patties as an excellent option in this area.

6. Make any changes to your dog's diet gradually. Watch for signs of upset stomach. Keep a food journal with the date, your dog's weight, health, skin and coat condition, and mental condition.

What are your thoughts? What do you feed your dog?

*Win dog food, treats and gift certificates! Just leave a comment and be entered into a drawing at the end of the month!!

*Join us Monday for more Dog Food Month and a look at canine obesity.