Tuesday, September 16, 2014

Choosing the Best Food for Pet Health #GetHealthyHappy

Welcome to the latest installment of the Hill's Science Diet "Healthier Pets. Happier Lives." campaign with Dr. Oz the Terrier.  Once again, I would like to discuss the importance of preventative care and how we can make all pets live healthier and happier lives.

Dr. Oz the Terrier with his friends Steve the Stomach, Pete the Pancreas, and Larry the Liver

Today's Topic - Choosing the Best Dog Food for Optimum Pet Health
I know there are a lot of options when you are trying to choose the best dog food.  I have said this before, and I believe it is worth repeating here...no matter what type of food your choose - be it kibble, canned, freeze-dried, refrigerated or frozen - you must choose the best dog food for YOU.

Proper nutrition is an essential part of maintaining  your pet's health.  To help you find a healthy dog food that is right for you, you must consider some important factors about your dog as well as the food.

Some points to consider when you are choosing a healthy dog food:

Your dog's lifestage.  Puppies need a more energy-dense food to keep up with their activity level and help them grow while an adult dog may thrive on a more moderate food.  Senior dogs may need an even lower calorie food to maintain their weight and condition.

Your dog's activity level.  Hey, just because you are a senior dog doesn't mean you have to be a couch potato.  If you have an above-average energy level for your age, you may need a food that is a bit more energy-dense.

Look for the AAFCO Nutritional Adequacy Statement.  This statement validates the nutritional adequacy of the food against established guidelines.

Allergies and intolerances.  I am adding this one since I have a food allergy.  To minimize reactions, you should always read the food label carefully to be sure there are no allergen triggers in the food's ingredients.


Not sure about any of the above?  Then ask your veterinarian.  Your vet is trained to know body condition and whether your weight is in proper proportion for your size and age.  If you have a strong relationship with your vet, as we discussed in my previous post about the importance of annual vet visits, then he/she will know all about your health needs and can help you choose the best dog food for you.

Yes, choosing the right food for your dog is important and it helps make mealtime special.  If you are a dog with special nutritional needs, then you will certainly want to eat a food that provides for those needs.  Some brands, like Hill's Science Diet, offer full lines of dog food that address some of the most-common health conditions and they are available at your vet or your favorite pet specialty store like:


To help you choose the best, high-quality dog food, Hill's Pet Nutrition is offering a $10 off promotion on select Hill's Science Diet products.  CLICK HERE and download your rebate today.          


What's in your dish?  Are you getting balanced nutrition?  
How did you choose the best dog food for you?

Post Disclaimer:  This post is sponsored by Hill's.  I am being compensated for helping spread the word about Hill's® Science Diet® Healthier Pets. Happier Lives.™, but Oz the Terrier only shares information we feel is relevant to our readers.  Hill's Pet Nutrition, Inc. is not responsible for the content of this article.



33 comments:

  1. Oh my Doc Oz, great advice. Love your outfit. Have a terrific Tuesday.
    Best wishes Molly

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  2. You are indeed the great ad powerful OZ - look at you all cute and adorable in you Dr's outfit and giving out such pawsome information. Finding the right food is never easy - especially with dogs with allergies and even though you find one they do well on - it pays to check the label EVERY time as companies are always tweaking their recipes. It happened to us when Reilly's favorite bison/venison food suddenly starting upsetting him and on checking the bag we found chicken had been added to the ingredients.

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  3. We are glad that this was done by YOU Dr. OZ... instead of Dr. Ben Dover. Just sayin.

    BUTT Seriously... Eating the RIGHT foods is very impawtant... the right Brand and the Right TYPE. PLUS we need some FRESH fruits and Veggies to go along with them.

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  4. Oz oh do we agree. At my July Senior Kitty check up mom found out one of my kidney enzymes was slightly high. Dr. S told her several things she could try but Mom went right to the top suggestion. Changing my food to NF canned and kibble. She said no messing around with Madi's health...let's do this right from the get go. I go back for another blood panel in January.
    Hugs madi your bfff

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  5. We have to check that out. I eat Hills W/D right now cause I have belly issues
    Lily (& Edward)

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  6. You \sure are one cute dogtor! :)

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  7. Very informative Oz! We just love your dogtur posts!!
    Smileys!
    Dory, Jakey, Arty & Bilbo

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  8. Ring Dingy is this Dr. Oz with whom I am speaking ~ Lee told me my annual check-up is scheduled for Wednesday at 6:20 p.m. Boy oh boy am I nervous, I got to study hard.
    Thanks for the info Dr. Oz.
    Sweet William The Scot

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  9. thanks for a great post Dr. Oz. do you think that diet food works for my mom too? she decided to eat nothing and is as "funny" as grumpy cat now :o)

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  10. Thank you Dr. Oz for this insightful information! You really have some great advice to share here. Those body organs look super hungry with that empty plate ;)

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  11. Thank you OZ, you have made mom think. Although we all eat a quality food, she spent a lot of time finding the right food for Greta due to her allergies, Hazel & I are both senior dogs, and maybe she needs to take a closer look at our diet
    thanks and hugs
    Mr Bailey and Hazel

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  12. Nice post Dr. Oz. It has such a nice ring to it...I want to see you on TV soon!

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  13. Excellent information! And you look so professional!

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  14. So much can be learned by reading the labels!

    Your Pals,

    Murphy & Stanley
    Join us for our week long series "Road To The Great Debate"!

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  15. wonderful post!!! Thanks Oz!
    ღ husky hugz ღ frum our pack at Love is being owned by a husky!

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  16. Pawsome post Oz! We are healthy felines!
    ❀Siamese Smothers and Tuxie Tickles❀ from Mikko and Jax at Happiness is Siamese!

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  17. Great post Oz, you are so darn cute as a doctor and so knowledgeable.

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  18. You are very knowledgable about all that food!
    love
    tweedles

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  19. Hey Oz!
    Wow, we all know that good foodables is really important and your post is super! Thanks for getting the bark out about all of that. My favorite foodables are any made with meat. Not a fan of fruit or veggies. BOL
    Grr and Woof,
    Sarge, Pol Comm

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  20. Dr. Oz the terrier great advise and I agree with you. You need your own TV show.

    Aroo to you,
    Sully

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  21. Are you single? AND a Doctor? We should be paying closer attention!! We will have to check out this food!! xo Chloe and LadyBug

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  22. MOL! We agree, you are the real Dr. Oz! Great tips and a great product too!

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  23. LOVE the quote OZ. We totally agree that FOOD must be tailored according to your pet's health. Golden Woofs

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  24. Great post Dr. Qz. :) We kind of used trial and error. As you say food must be a good fit for the dog. Sometimes foods that we tried looked good on the bag, but did not work for the dogs.

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  25. Heya Oz! Foodibles are furry important indeed! Play bows,

    NukNuk

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  26. Those are some funky looking organ friends! Not sure I would want to share a table with them watching me...

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  27. Dr. Oz you are always right when it comes to nutrition. It helps that you are adorable too!

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  28. Wonderful Doctor outfit. Great post too.

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  29. Hey doc....fink my ribs be pokin fru....may need to pawscribe some noms to elp me?

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  30. This is great advice, and you are the cutest darn doctor ever, Oz!
    Jan, Wag 'n Woof Pets

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Thank you for stopping by and leaving a pawprint. I enjoy reading each and every one!
Cairn cuddles,
Oz the Terrier