We’re excited about the possibilities of Whole Dog Journal’s searchable database of dry dog foods, and hope you find it to be helpful for finding good foods for your dogs. We’re excited to now present information about every single one of the dry dog foods made by the companies on our “Approved Foods” list, including
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What’s the best dry dog food? What should I feed my dog? If we had a dollar for every time we’ve been asked those questions, we could retire today! HALLMARKS OF QUALITY: HOW WE IDENTIFY GOOD DRY DOG FOOD Here’s what to look for in dog food and the criteria we use to identify good-quality
We’ve got some good news and some bad news for dog owners who are interested in feeding raw diets. First, the good news: Some dogs thrive on these diets. Today, there are many companies offering frozen raw dog food – some with many different formulations. The diets have long been available via direct-shipping but are
Looking for a special gift for a friend – or, better yet, a friend’s dog? We’ve put together this helpful gift guide for dogs, and everything is homemade: homemade dog treats, training treats, or grooming products. You’ll save a bundle, improve the quality of the products, and even have fun customizing them. DIY dog treats
In a world of commercial pet food industry-specific jargon that is often incomprehensible to the average dog owner, the term “human grade,” which is popping up on more and more pet food labels, would seem to be self-explanatory. But in reality, while the term is in increasing use on labels and in marketing materials, it
A perfect angel-white face with some breed-typical tear and saliva stains (Picture Credit: Amanda) I always think my dog Leia looks like a perfect little angel. But having white fur is like having a black car: every little speck stands out on her. Also, her breed mix’s parents — she’s a rescue, but we think
Looking for a special gift for a friend – or, better yet, a friend’s dog? Consider making your own dog biscuits, training treats, or grooming products. You’ll save a bundle, have fun, customize your gifts, and even improve their quality. SWEET POTATO CHEWS If you’ve ever picked up a $20 bag of sweet potato chews
As the saying goes, “Sh*t happens,” and as every responsible dog owner knows, cleaning up after their dogs is an absolute must. For those of us who try to be good stewards of the environment, biodegradable poop bags seem like a smart choice. Who wants to think of their dog’s poop festering away in a
“What should I feed my dog?” It’s the most common question that I am asked. I wish I had the ability to magically know what combination of ingredients and protein and fat levels are needed to nurture each one of your unique, individual dogs! Sorry, but nobody but you can answer that question, because only
Check out Whole Dog Journal’s 2021 list of approved canned dog food products, with over 500 varieties! Did your dog’s food make the list? To continue reading this article or issue you must be a paid subscriber. Sign in Previous articleHow to Choose Canned Dog Food: What You Should Know Nancy Kerns has edited horse
BENEFITS OF FREEZE-DRYING OR DEHYDRATING The methods used to radically lower the moisture content of the foods reviewed here have the following advantages over baking or extruding the foods at high temperatures: *These methods preserve the food (nearly stopping the biological activity that causes a food to decay) with less damage to the ingredients’ natural
We excluded companies that use dried blood in their formulas from our consideration It’s been three years since I last reviewed freeze-dried diets – and even longer since we looked at the few dehydrated or air-dried diets on the market. I think I have been unconsciously avoiding the category – or is it more than
Enrichment toys for dogs are popular, and for several good reasons. They can be great boredom busters, helping to channel a dog’s energy into an acceptable activity. They can slow a dog’s habit of eating too quickly, thus helping prevent choking. And research suggests that dogs may prefer working in some way to obtain their
It’s a good idea to check your dog carefully for ticks after every outing. You may find loose ticks crawling through your dog’s coat. You may find ticks that are attached – either recently attached skinny, flat ticks, or ticks that have been feeding for a while and are engorged, making them oval to round
Canine obesity has reached epidemic proportions, and it’s clear that one contributing factor has to do with the close relationship we have with our dogs. Dogs play an important role in the lives of many people. They help reduce their humans’ anxiety and stress, and even motivate their owners to exercise. Of course, they are
The phrase “toothpaste for dogs” sounds like the punchline to a joke – the epitome of a ridiculous product that’s not necessary but is being marketed by an avaricious industry looking to profit by foisting useless gear on unsuspecting dog owners. I’m sure that some comedian somewhere could get a good five minutes of laughs
To get the most out of your dog’s veterinary visits, come to the appointment prepared, and strive to give the vet as much information about your dog that’s relevant – and try to resist the temptation to tell her lots of information that’s not relevant to your dog’s case. © Lightfieldstudiosprod | Dreamstime.com Veterinary care
The new normal – not going into the clinic to talk to the vet face-to-face. It’s not ideal, but there are ways to make it work better for you, your dog, and the doctor, too. More than a year into living under the cloud of a worldwide pandemic, we’re all still dealing with lifestyle changes
Can dogs eat strawberries? Photo: Fertnig/Getty Images Strawberry season will soon be here again. Fresh, sweet and juicy, the berries are perfect plain, in pies, smoothies and homemade ice creams. They’re loaded with vitamins, minerals and antioxidants that give your immune system a boost, hydrate your skin, and contribute to good gut health. But can
Every trainer has heard clients say “But my dog is not food-motivated”. While it’s absolutely true that many dogs won’t take any sort of treat when they are experiencing anxiety or are in an overstimulating environment, the goal is to try lots of foods to find some that are so delicious they can help keep
We don’t know why the nutritional adequacy statements on the labels of dog foods are always so tiny; it’s ridiculous that some of the most important on the label is printed so small. Every owner should know which nutritional adequacy statement appears on the label of the food they buy for their dogs or puppies.
Does he look happy in his Ruffwear Load Up Harness? Not particularly – although, of the four products in our review, this is the most comfortable harness for dogs to wear, and the one that restricts their movements the least. Of course, that means it offers less safety than the others. Owners will have to
All joking aside, a dog who smells bad will receive fewer invitations onto the couch (or even into the living room) and much less petting than one who doesn’t have an odor problem. For the sake of your relationship – and his health! – take steps today to quench the stench. Oh, my. What’s that
Ever wondered ‘can dogs eat asparagus?’ Here’s what you need to know. Photo: Rasa Petreikiene/Getty Images The green stalks usher in spring, making for an ideal addition to everything from omelets to salads. But can dogs eat asparagus? And, if your dog eats some off the floor, is it cause for concern? “Generally, dogs can
Most of us dog owners want to preserve and promote our canine friends’ quality of life for as long as possible – and, should it come to that, end our friends’ suffering sooner than later. Veterinary hospice and palliative care providers are the experts who can help see us through this difficult phase of life
(Picture Credit: Getty Images) You can tell a lot about your dog by taking a good look at her skin. Clear and clean skin is a good indication your dog is pretty healthy. Signs Of Healthy Skin Here’s what healthy dog skin looks like: Color is consistent and it springs back when touched. No scales,
(Picture Credit: Getty Images) There are lots of special products on the market, but this simple home remedy, developed by chemists, should do the trick. It works by chemically neutralizing the compounds in skunk spray that smell so bad. Combine all the ingredients in an open bowl or bucket and start rubbing the mixture into
(Picture Credit: Getty Images) Grooming is an important part of being a dog parent. Grooming doesn’t just make your pup look good, it’s an essential part of keeping them healthy. Overgrown nails, impacted anal glands, and bad teeth can cause pain, discomfort and in some cases, death. Brushing your dog’s teeth prevents all kinds of
There are so many products on the market today and while some work better than others, I personally prefer a natural remedy for the protection of my dogs and young children. My Greyhounds, Shiraz (6) and Buffett (11), have had their share of accidents in the home. We had a friend’s dog over recently and
(Picture Credit: Getty Images) I take my dog to a groomer. Am I supposed to tip? If so, what is the standard amount? Certainly a tip is not appropriate if your Chihuahua comes back smelling like a garbage dump or your Husky returns with a Poodle cut. (Unless, of course, you specifically requested that Nanook