Although widely regarded to be man's best friend and a pet that makes the most loyal companion, dog owners give little thought to how they are fed. Many simply keep a stock of dry pellets or food tins, and in most cases such foods are mass-produced without any consideration for the nutritional well-being of the dog. However, if you truly care for your canine companion, then it is important for you to take feeding him seriously by looking for dog products that are guaranteed to be good for him.

Granted, there is much convenience to be had from the dog products from the bigger companies. Food tins are moist and tasty, and when unopened, keep very well in the pantry. Dry pellets on the other hand, can be left out for days in the dog's feeding dish, which means that there is no need to sit and watch the dog finish his food. He or she can merely eat and leave at whim.

Still some would argue that the value of convenience that the dry pellets and food tins can afford a busy dog owner is one that is difficult to deny. They would even say that current attention given to pet health is merely a marketing fad designed to exploit the hippie guilt of consumers who buy into organic produce and fair trade coffee. However, this does not change the fact that many brands of dog food are filled with unhealthy components that are unfit for consumption.

What is really getting in the way of widespread consumer awareness about commercial dog food is the lack of attention given to dog information, which is critical to determining the right brand of dog food suited for your faithful hound. Some dogs experience allergic reactions to even the most benign components of dog foods, and as such, dog information can help you understand the individual physiognomy of your dog to ensure the best choice of dog products.

The best way to overcome this hurdle is to ensure that you purchase dog food from a company that puts a premium on dog information through transparency and simplicity of product, rather than obfuscate the contents of their products. One such company is Honest Kitchen, which specializes in taking fresh natural ingredients such as real meat and organic grain and putting them in a dehydration process. They are notable for their track record of comprehensive ingredient reporting which has earned them the approval of consumer and environmental watchdog groups.

Canidae Dog Food, on the other hand, specializes in wholesome meals that have all the storage convenience of both types of dog food, but with all the aesthetic qualities of human grade food. Their products are free of preservatives, hormones, animal by-products and chemical additives. This is further accounted for on their website, which speaks truth to power by listing all the ingredients and components used in their products.

This article attempts to shed light on the lack of attention given to dog health by most dog owners by describing how many dog food companies benefit from a lack of attention to dog information. To that end, consumers have a responsibility to educate themselves on their dog's nutritional needs and support companies such as Honest Kitchen and Canidae Dog Food which recognize the value of consumer knowledge.