What we feed our dogs can have a dramatic impact on their attention span, energy level, and overall health. Unfortunately, it is difficult to come by reliable nutritional information. Most veterinarians do not take nutrition classes outside of basic animal nutrition, and some of the larger commercial brands provide food to veterinary schools, as well as nutritional studies from their labs. However, these brands are not always the best foods for your dog.

INGREDIENTS

Here are some ingredients we recommend avoiding and how they may affect your dog.

CORN – For some dogs, corn is difficult to digest and can be allergenic. Recently some dog food companies have set about defending their use of corn as a good carbohydrate source for dogs. What they have not addressed is corn metabolizes in dogs much the same way as sugar metabolizes in people. So, when you feed your dog a corn-based diet, it’s like feeding a child a diet thats main ingredient is corn syrup. The child is likely going to exhibit dramatic energy spurts and crashes, hyperactivity, lack of attention, and is not going to be very healthy overall. The same is true of dogs on a corn-based diet.

In addition, corn may inhibit your dog's natural ability to receive seratonin in the brain. Seratonin is an important chemical that reduces stress and anxiety. Recent studies suggest that low seratonin levels can lead to impuslive behavior, aggression and other behavioral problems.

Corn can also act as an artificial stool hardener. One of the quickest ways to tell that your dog is sick is the consistency of his or her stools. If the ingredients in your dog's food are falsely making the stools firm, you may delay seeking important medical treatment for your dog.

Here is a brief list of foods that are known to be corn-free and those which are known to contain corn, often in high amounts:

These lists are by no means exhaustive, if you are unsure about whether your dog’s diet is corn-based, just read the ingredients label. Look for corn, corn gluten, corn meal and corn syrup. If any of these ingredients are present, they are probably among the first ingredients listed.

Do not be fooled by the fact that you are feeding your dog a “Lamb & Rice” diet or a “Chicken & Rice” diet; it may still have corn as one of its primary ingredients.

In addition to their regular commercial diets, Hill’s Science Diet and Eukanuba both produce prescription diets. If your veterinarian has placed your dog on a prescription diet, you should discuss any concerns with your veterinarian prior to making any diet changes

BHA/BHT – BHA (butylated hydroxyanisole) and BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene) are used to preserve fats. However, studies have linked these preservatives to various types of cancers, including stomach, bladder and thyroid cancer. They are also suspected of causing liver and kidney dysfunction.

Ethoxyquin – A preservative which studies have linked to kidney and bladder cancer, and increased incidence of stomach tumors. The Department of Agriculture lists it as a pesticide.

DIET CHANGES

So, you’ve read your ingredient label and have decided to make a change? ANY DIET CHANGE MUST BE GRADUAL!!!! Your dog’s digestive system (and taste) needs time to adjust. If you change your dog’s diet too quickly you may see loose stools, diarrhea, vomiting, refusal to eat or other problems.

Generally, you should start feeding your dog ¼ of the new food with ¾ of the old food. Do this for a three days, or until your dog's stools are firm. Then increase the ratio to a 50/50 blend of both foods. Increase the ratio to ¾ new and ¼ old, and finally switch to 100% of the new food.

FINAL THOUGHTS ON FOOD

Don't be concerned if one of the recommended foods above costs more per bag than the food you are currently buying. That does not mean, however, that these brands are actually more expensive. The corn-free foods listed above contain higher quality ingredients, are more nutrient-dense and more digestible. This means you can feed your dog less, and the bag will last longer. Over the course of time, you may not be spending much, if any, more for dog food.

There are many local retailers in Sacramento that carry premium brands, including Animal Nutrition Center, Western Feed and Pet Department Store. Some chain stores carry a few of the brands listed above, but we recommend calling in advance to confirm.

Sometimes people are confused about the appropriate amount of dog food to feed their dog. One place to start is the feeding guidelines on the back of the bag. But, remember these are GUIDELINES not rigid rules. Your dog’s activity level, age and the environmental temperature can all affect how much food your dog needs. Start with the guidelines and pay attention to your dog. How is his or her weight, are they gaining or losing? Do they leave food in the bowl? Adjust accordingly.

Finally, we recommend feeding your dog two times per day rather than “free feeding” or leaving the food available all day long. We suggest leaving the food down for 20 minutes and then taking it up. Another early indicator that your dog is sick is a loss of appetite. If your dog has food available all day long, you will not notice this loss of appetite as quickly.

There are no laws that say your dog must eat his meal from a bowl. You can use your dog's food as training rewards or hidden in interactive toys or scattered in the backyard to give your dog additional mental stimulation.

Additional Resources

List of Corn/Wheat Free Dog Foods

Food Allergies and Intolerance

The Dog Food Project