Pet parents will often go to lengths to make sure their furry family has the best of the best in life. One of the ways they achieve this is by providing their dog with organic feed. Organic pet food sales have escalated in recent years and continue to grow with the passing of time. As organic food has started to become common in places like supermarkets, people have started to become more interested in the health benefits that organic food can have for their canine companions. Besides having quality ingredients, organic pet food is also sourced in a way that corresponds with people's moral principles. In this article, we unravelled 5 reasons why organic dog food is best.
What Is Organic Dog Food?
Organic dog food is composed of ingredients that are entirely free from genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and are grown without the use of chemical fertilisers, pesticides, growth hormones, by-products, and antibiotics. Since the ingredients are grown and cultivated in a more natural manner, organic food is more nutrient-dense and of higher quality than traditional brands of dog food. The nutrition pets gain from organic food is difficult to replace. Inadequate or malnutrition can lead to an uphill battle of fighting illnesses for your pup. Organic food is obtained in compliance with organic farming principles such as resource cycling and conserving overall biodiversity.
Things To Look For When Buying Organic Dog Food
Limited Processing
It’s always a good idea to opt for brands that produce minimally processed organic dog food. The closer the product is to natural food, the healthier it will be for your pup. High-pressure processing kills healthy bacteria and nutrients that are essential for your dog's gut health. Fleetful offers organic dog foods and treats where owners have full control over the organic dog food they feed their dogs with. Organic dog food recipe kits.
Clear Labels
Look for organic dog food brands with transparent labels that present all the information and ingredients in a clear manner that is not misleading in any way.
No Suspicious Ingredients
Formulas that have unnecessary fillers and preservatives should be kept at a distance from your dog. Steer clear of any organic dog food brand with GMOs, and meat-containing hormones. Other suspicious ingredients are 'meat derivatives' and 'vegetable derivatives'. Make sure you understand all the ingredients on an ingredient list.
Reliable Organic Dog Food Brand
It is important that you choose a reliable organic dog food brand that has all the necessary nutrients that your dog needs. Look out for brands that are formulated by vet nutritionists and those who use FEDIAF guidelines. It is also important that you read the small print and make sure that the food is not 'for occasional use only' and 'to be fed in addition to a balanced diet'. Fleetful is an organic dog food brand that is formulated by vet nutritionists and uses FEDIAF guidelines.
Top 5 Reasons Why Organic Dog Food Is Best
1. Improves Energy Levels
Organic ingredients hold comparatively larger quantities of calories that are nutrient-dense. Organic dog food is able to provide your dog with all the fuel and energy needed to carry out all playful activities and remain vibrant throughout the day.
2. Promotes Healthy Digestion
The chances of organic dog food containing preservatives, artificial dyes, and colourings are substantially less. This is one of the primary reasons organic dog food is much easier to digest and process for your dog's gut. When a dog has specific sensitivities such as skin or tummy problems, it may react worse to non-organic food. This is because the chemicals used in non-organic food can cause an imbalance in their gut microbiome.
Besides having nutrients that your pup can comfortably absorb, organic dog food also does not contain any extra fillers, allowing your pooch to absorb what it requires from real, organically grown food. If you feed your dog a meat-based diet, it’s even more important to feed organic because of the antibiotics given to non-organic farm animals. They may be fed non-organic food and a large amount of non-organic grains may accumulate in the meat. Persisting on unwholesome feeding habits can come at a very high cost to your dog's health, in the long run. Feeding an organic, wholesome diet to your pup can prevent you from going down this path.
3. Nurtures A Healthy Weight
Since organic dog food is void of any bulk fillers, it will help your pup feel full without having the need to overeat in order to feel satisfied. Dog obesity is a significant problem in the UK. According to a study conducted by the Royal Veterinary College (RVC), 1 in 14 dogs is recorded as overweight every year. This illustrates that prevention is the key to your canine's worry-free life. The inclination for walks and playing around may also grow as a result of the increased energy levels that emerge from consuming an organic dog food diet.
4. Enhances Immunity
Another reason why organic is best for dogs is its broadly positive impact on immunity. Organic dog food is packed with vegetables, and sometimes fruits, that contain generous amounts of nutrients with immunity-boosting properties. Organic food also balances the gut microbiome, and immunity is better when the gut is balanced. This further contributes to disease prevention and benefits your pup, even if it doesn’t carry any health issues that may require organic feed.
5. Sustainable
Rodale Institute's research on organic farming has shown that this method of farming releases 40% fewer carbon emissions, uses 45% less energy, and also releases zero toxic chemicals into waterways, all while earning 3-6 times greater profit for farmers and overall being more profitable than conventional systems of farming. Organic farming also helps in minimising pollution and water waste. Research shows that non-organic agricultural practices are accountable for 9.3% of total greenhouse gas emissions in the states.
Non-organic farming also makes use of pesticides, which are one of the biggest killers of natural habitats. Ultimately we, as humans, have a moral responsibility towards our planet. We should all try to make an active effort towards promoting the practices and methodologies that contribute to a healthy and long-lasting planet.
Additional Benefits Of Organic Dog Food
Curbs Food Allergies
Additives, artificial constituents, and chemicals placed within some commercial dog foods can further allergies and worsen skin conditions in dogs. Avoiding these components by feeding your dog organic food can drastically decrease the chances of your mutt having an allergic reaction.
Decreases Risk Of Pesticide Exposure
A large quantity of non-organically produced foods tends to contain residues from pesticides, which can potentially cause a variety of health complications for humans and dogs alike. Since organic dog foods do not make use of these in the farming process, it eliminates any risk or concern related to pesticide exposure for your pooch.
Organic Dog Food: A Brief History
Both human and pet foods started being packaged just after World War 2. This was done with the intention of promoting convenience and accessibility. There was also an objective of adding vitamins and minerals to these packaged foods, thus boosting nutrition. However, what was not initially taken into account was the fact that copious amounts of preservatives would need to be added to these foods in order to for them to have longer and more stable shelf lives and make them more market-friendly. These preservatives alongside various other unnecessary ingredients are largely accountable for the deteriorating health of dogs globally. There was a vegan dog called bramble who lived for 25 years, and she was fed an organic whole-food diet. She was born in the 1970s in the UK and lived long enough to witness the 21st century before bidding farewell in 2003, leaving us with a perfect example of how an organic diet can benefit dogs. Non-organic diets also contribute to the shorter lifespans of dogs. For example, in the 1970s, the average lifespan of a golden retriever was 16-17 years which has now been reduced to 10-12 years. The main explanation for this is the build-up and increase in the use of chemicals to grow food. As dogs have shorter lifespans and are smaller than humans, the effect of non-organic dog food is notable.
How To Switch To An Organic Diet?
1. Choosing the right organic dog food
After you’ve established that organic is the best choice for your pup, it’s time to make the switch. However, knowing where to start can be a tricky process, without appropriate and sufficient guidance. Choosing an organic diet for your dog or “going organic” is easy with Fleetful Organic Dog Food kits where you can choose to add your own organic vegetables - grown either in your own garden or from your local organic store. The first step in switching to an organic diet is to research. Organic dog foods are not created equal; some are undoubtedly better than others. Choosing a certified organic dog food brand like Fleetful, with human-grade ingredients is an excellent way to make sure your canine is being fed the highest quality organic produce. As humans, we have a longer life span than dogs; they spend a short amount of time on this planet, so we should be feeding them the best. Below are a few tips to help you make the switch to organic:
2. Start Gradually
Like with any change in food, it is important to do so slowly. Combining small portions of organic food into their regular, everyday food will ensure a smooth transition. By following this method, you will also steer clear of any digestive issues or gastrointestinal problems that may potentially occur following a sudden and abrupt change.
3. Keep Track Of Your Dog's Routine
Keeping an eye out for any changes in appetite, or shifts in levels of energy will help you make any alterations to the diet if need be.
Final Thoughts
We have now explored the various benefits of organic dog food. You, as an owner, can make informed decisions to make sure your dog has a happy and healthy life. For more information on organic dog foods and their benefits, we recommend Dr Arielle’s Canine Nutrition Course.
Organic Dog Food: FAQs
Q: How is organic dog food different from natural dog food?
A: Natural is a broad term used to label dog food, while organic dog food follows a strict set of rules and regulations in order to be certified as organic.
Q: Can organic food improve my dog's skin health?
A: Yes, organic food can enhance skin health and lead to a healthier and shinier coat.