| On Palatability |
|
|
|
| Written by Administrator | |
| Monday, 19 February 2007 | |
|
Was it not for the palatability factor dogs would be healthier. Many times nutritional decisions are predicated on taste as opposed to the true worth of a product. i.e. canned dog food, a multi-million dollar industry, prospers only because of sweeteners, flavor enhancers, and other types of skullduggery. The nourishing foods (dry matter) are only 7 to 10% moisture as opposed to almost offensive percentages in moist or drenched products (as I prefer to call them). Let's take a look at a can of Winner Pet dog food, 100% complete and balanced with lamb and brown rice. Protein 9% Fat 6% Fiber 1.5% Moisture 78% Now, YOU BE THE JUDGE!!! Many of the more popular dry foods use (non-nutritional, even harmful) palatability enhancers like animal digests, etc. to get "YOUR FRIEND AND MINE" to like a less beneficial product. In the world of sport dogs - palatability is a luxury. In the world of couch potatoes, I would expect a more sophisticated, more concerned owner; one that realizes the importance of high quality food over the whims of a finicky eater. Often times the less vigorous animals require a more sophisticated approach to calories, enzymes, and balance. Below are some tips that will stimulate the K-9 appetite, extend working years, and provide your dog with superior nutrition. * Keep dog away from areas where human food is eaten and prepared. * Allow 60 seconds for a dog to begin to eat, if eating does not commence, refrigerate food and reserve for 24 hours. * Use natural rearing fast 1x per week, supplying marrow bone and fresh H2O only!!! * Expose dog to outdoors several hours per day. * Impose as much exercise as possible (utility work). * If dog only eats part of his ration give remaining food to another dog within his view. * Tactile stimulation will increase Appetite and add pounds. * Plenty of verbal anesthesia (soft words) should help. * Feed "flesh" foods integrated with dry food. * Periodically rotate meat products and change percentages of both flesh and dry food. These adjustments are well implemented with the seasonal changes. Planned diet fluctuation may have a positive effect on existing allergy and the prevention of future reactions. These types of changes are to stimulate appetite and will make for a happier more fit athlete. WHEN dogs are fed meat accompanied with a top shelf dry food - a synergy seems to take place. My (unscientific) opinion is that flesh acts as a nutritional driver, enhancing absorption, increasing bio/digestibility/availability of the dry food. This is not fact but a personal perception!!! Do you think it could have something to do with enzyme levels in fresh frozen meat? In closing, palatability is not a significant issue. In fact, "taste acceptance amongst serious performance people is a non-issue". The first indication that someone is a rank amateur is when they are quick to compliment a particular ration based on how much their dogs like the taste. |
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|
