Demystifying Dog Food in Lebanon
What’s Right for Your Dog?
Have you ever wondered why your dog’s nutritional needs differ from yours? Perhaps you already know, and you are just looking for an ideal fit for your friend. Rest assured, at Charity Shop, we’ve got you covered! Whether you are a seasoned pet parent or a beginner, this article will help to demystify and explain some basic facts about dog food in Lebanon. Read on to find out what your dog needs, what goes into dog food, and how to choose the right one for your pooch.
DOGS ARE OMNIVORES
Like humans, this means that their digestive systems are built to process both plant and animal foods.
Given this information, you might think that they can consume many of the same foods we do, but this is not the case. Dogs differ from us in the fact that their bodies are very sensitive and intolerant to certain common ingredients in human food (e.g. garlic, onions, avocados, alcohol, grapes, certain grains, etc.). In fact, some of these ingredients can be downright toxic and actually kill a dog if ingested.
In summation, even though dogs can consume both plant and animal products, their food still needs to be prepared with the utmost care.
CARBOHYDRATES AND FIBERS
Now that we’ve established that dogs need both plant and animal-derived foods in their bodies in order to survive, you might ask which types of plant foods are good for them?
Dogs need carbohydrates for energy, and fibers to facilitate healthy digestion. Grains, legumes, and vegetables are natural sources often included in dog food recipes. However, there is a hierarchy when it comes to these sources.
Grains, especially cheap and ubiquitous ones, are often used as “fillers” in lower quality dog foods. This means that the manufacturers “bulk up” the food by cutting down on the costlier ingredients (e.g. meats, other animal proteins, and vegetables), and instead increase the ratio of the grains. This wreaks havoc on dogs’ digestive systems, often causing runny stools and allergic reactions. Grains such as corn, wheat, and soy are the biggest culprits when it comes to causing these adverse reactions.
So, in order to find a high-quality food for your dog in Lebanon, look for recipes that utilize vegetables, whole grains, and/or legumes instead of cheap grain-fillers. However, be careful to also check the ratio. The vegetables and legumes should not form the “bulk” of the ingredients either.
QUALITY PROTEIN
Unless a dog has a specific allergy, lamb, chicken, and beef are the most easily digestible proteins in dog food. Fish and duck are also excellent sources, however, care needs to be given to the type of fish added, as some are higher in mercury than others and this can accumulate in your dog’s system over time and cause mercury poisoning. Organs such as liver and kidney are also great sources. A premium-quality dog food brand in Lebanon will have the protein sources higher on its ingredient list.
Raw pork or eggs (cooked eggs are fine in moderate amounts) should never be fed to dogs, as they can contain dangerous parasites. Processed meats are also a no-go.
SUPPLEMENTS AND ADDITIVES
Besides the basic building blocks of dog food, some brands also add other beneficial vitamins and ingredients, such as fish oil, which is excellent for fur and joint health. Synthetic vitamins are often “sprayed onto” kibble in the final stages of production, because cooking commercial dog food at such high heat in order to desiccate it often strips it of the necessary vitamins and minerals. To circumvent this, you can always opt for wet food, homemade food, or a brand with a slow cooking method which preserves nutrients such as Ownat.
Probiotics and paraprobiotics are added to some foods. As with humans, these boost your pet’s gut health and digestion.
Herbal extracts and spices are also added by some brands, and these often confer great natural health benefits. Examples include ginger, oregano, basil, aloe vera, and chamomile.
Always make sure to read through the list of supplements and additives, just in case your pet is allergic or intolerant to one or more of them.
LIMITED INGREDIENTS
Now that you know what should be in dog food, pay attention to the ingredient list! If it is very long, with names of chemicals, colorants, or additives that you cannot recognize, it is best to steer clear. If you are not cooking the food yourself and thus controlling the ingredients, a high-quality dog food in Lebanon should have ingredients with a comparable simplicity.
Look for straightforward and short ingredient lists. Keep in mind that ingredients are listed from highest percentage to lowest percentage (i.e. the ingredients that appear first form the “bulk” of the food). These ingredients should be whole grains, high-quality proteins, and fibers.
SUPER PREMIUM DOG FOOD
For pet parents looking for the best commercially produced dry or wet dog food in Lebanon, second only to home-cooked dog food in terms of quality and nutritional benefits, look no further than Charity Shop. Royal Canin wet and dry dog food is the cream of the crop when it comes to store bought dog food in Lebanon, and we can vouch for that.
BUDGET CONSTRAINTS
Last but not least, this may not apply to your dog, but budget plays a huge role in which dog food you choose to purchase or make. Ideally, everyone wants the highest quality for their dogs, but not everyone can afford it, and that’s okay!
Just do the best you can with what you have. Given the information above, choose the best bargain for your budget while keeping your dog’s health and needs in mind.
We hope that you and your best friend have benefited from this article. Whether you decide to cook your own dog food or purchase it from Charity Shop, now you know what to look for. Buy excellent quality dog food tailored to your budget and help to feed another dog in need!
Best regards,
The Charity Shop Team
