Over a period of time, dogs can develop food allergies. Gluten intolerance affects all breeds of dogs. Some breeds can get celiac disease. Gluten makes up about 80% of the protein found in wheat. Dog owners often don’t consider wheat allergy, even though the gluten and lectins found in wheat can create big health problems.

Be wary of fillers, including contaminated wheat grains, gluten, barley, rye, corn, and oats. Responsible dog owners read the ingredient list printed on the dog food package to find out what is in the food they are feeding their beloved pets.

Artificial flavors and preservatives are found on the No Ingredients List. Sometimes names are not easy to recognize. Some dog food companies try to hide or disguise these ingredients on the label. Learn the names of artificial flavors and preservatives so you can steer clear of brands that use No List ingredients.

Look for ingredients that are real, with names you can pronounce: salmon and beef. Your dog will like them too! Your dog appreciates taste and flavor just like you, for example, some dogs like beef, others prefer chicken. Don’t waste your money and your dog’s taste buds on poor quality food with lots of by-products and fillers. There are also meats without antibiotics such as turkey, venison and bison that do not contain hormones. Try organic dog-friendly veggies like sweet potatoes.

Once you’ve settled on a grain-free food with all the vitamins and minerals, and free of gluten and wheat grains, it’s time to begin the transition from old to new. For about a week, mix the old dog food with the new dog food, gradually reducing the amount of old food to new food until you are filling your dog’s bowl with only the new food.

When you feed healthier dog food, it may cost more at first. But, you get more useful nutrition that will keep your dog fuller and your dog will eat less in the long run, thus reducing the cost of food. Not to mention the savings on vet bills. You may want to investigate dog food manufacturer recalls. Some have fewer withdrawals than others.

Buy your pet food from a reputable dealer rather than big box stores. You will get better service and more reputable manufacturers. In addition, employees will be more informed and can help you with your choices.