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Top 5 Things to Look for When Buying
Dog Food
Article written by Marie Moody
(BPT) - Dogs are the most common pet in America because of the love, comfort and companionship they provide to their families. According to the American Pet Products Association, 70% of U.S. households have one or more dogs, which equates to 90.5 million households. Pet adoptions specifically have surged during the pandemic. Adopting a pet is a meaningful experience full of learning moments - being a pet parent means providing affection and caring for your pet, including helping them eat well and feel their best. No one understands this better than Marie Moody. When she adopted a dog named Stella and a sick pup named Chewy from her local animal shelter in 1997, she reached out to her veterinarian for advice on how best to care for the two. Her vet recommended feeding Chewy a raw diet featuring minimally processed foods that were primarily meat. Hopeful, Moody began the new diet and was thrilled when Chewy quickly recovered.
"With so many options available, finding the right food for your dog can be confusing," said Moody. "I learned dogs
crave the raw proteins in meat and thrive physically because it mimics what their ancestors would have found in the wild. This was evident when Chewy quickly felt better and his health flourished."
Moody became so passionate about pet nutrition after helping Chewy that she started her own raw pet food business in 2003 - Stella & Chewy's, which features premium ingredients that are responsibly sourced so pets get the nutrition they need to feel their best. Whether you've just adopted a dog or your pup has long been a part of the family, finding the right nutrition is important. As you research the many options, consider this checklist of top features of a high-quality dog food:
First ingredient is meat
Dogs require protein that comes from meat, so avoiding dog foods that use fillers like corn or soy as a primary ingredient can help assure that your dog is getting the most nutrients from their food. Look for pet foods with meat listed first, and consider the benefits of raw protein as one