Although the dog is considered to be man's best friend and his most loyal and faithful companion, little thought is given to how they are fed. Many rely solely on dry pellets or food tins, mass-produced goods of convenience made with little to no consideration for a dog's nutritional well-being. If you truly value your furry friend, then natural dog food is the only way to take his health seriously.

Yet with all due fairness, canned food and dry pellets are very convenient. Dry dog food can be left out for days in the feeding dish, which means there is no need to watch over the dog to ensure he finishes his meal. He or she can merely come and go at his stomach's urging. Canned food on the other hand, keeps fresh unopened and ensures a moist and tasty meal no matter how long they're been in the pantry.

Still, some would argue that the endorsement of natural dog food is merely born from a marketing trend that exploits the hippie feel-good urges of consumers, a fad that has made "organic" and "fair trade" a means to add value to commodities. The reality though is that commercial dog food is also unhealthy and in some cases unfit for consumption. They can be made from disgusting animal by-products, coated in chemical additives and preservatives or filled with unhealthy corn gluten.

Worsening matters is the fact that many companies conceal this fact through false advertising and roundabout labelling techniques. Because the term "natural" is interpreted very liberally by food labelling regulations, it is actually possible to sell cow brains and processed intestines and still proclaim it as "natural dog food." As such, you should pay attention to which companies actually deal in authentic natural products.

For example, Honest Kitchen is a company that attempts to merge the convenience of dry food with the healthiness of all-natural ingredients. They take fresh ingredients such as real meat, organic grain and vegetables and place them into a dehydrated process that can be rehydrated with warm water later. The result is a wholesome and colourful meal full of nutrition that can be had with convenience.

On the other corner is Merrick Dog Food, a company that specializes in canned meals that many have rated as human grade. They are free of hormones, antibiotics, preservatives and animal by-products and resemble a great dinner. Some of their varieties include a hearty stew called Working Dog Stew and a multi-grain and meat ensemble called Puppy Plate.

This article introduces readers to the benefits of natural dog food as a nutritional alternative to the staple forms of commercial dog food which are filled with unhealthy components. While commercial dog food can be very convenient, they do little for a dog's nutritional well-being. However, do not be fooled by false advertising notions of "natural" and turn only to trustworthy brands such as Merrick Dog Food and Honest Kitchen.