Are you overwhelmed by the endless options of dog food available on the market? Choosing the right food for your furry friend can be a daunting task, but it is crucial for their overall health and well-being.
With so many brands and varieties to choose from, it’s important to know what to look for in a quality dog food. Your dog’s diet plays a key role in their overall health, energy levels, and longevity, so making the right choice is essential.
Selecting the best dog food for your pet can seem like a challenging task, but with the right information and guidance, you can make an informed decision. In this article, we will discuss the key factors to consider when choosing a dog food that meets your pet’s nutritional needs and preferences.
How To Choose A Dog Food
By price? Because it says its premium? Because your vet recommended it? If you answered yes to any of these, you might want to think again.
Did you know that the most expensive foods in your pet store are not necessarily the best ones? In fact they might not even be very good. Now you can be sure that the really cheap ones are not even worth looking at. No one can make high quality dog food for super cheap prices. To find a high quality dog food you may have to look farther than the grocery or pet store.
You might see pictures of steak, chicken, fresh vegetables, and grain on a bag of dog food and think that they actually contain these ingredients. Read the ingredients; you might be in for a rude awakening.
I love veterinarians. But many do not know much about canine nutrition.
So how do you find a high quality dog food?
You are going to have to break down and read the ingredients. When you find one that fits the bill, give it a try for a month or two.
If it’s not the right food, believe me you will know. Berry and Robin classic examples. When Berry is not eating the right food, he suffers from diarrhea and vomiting. Robin gets horribly itchy skin and just the most horrible gas you have ever smelled – she can clear a room in an instant. Her idea of aromatherapy has even woke up my husband and me – usually with me demanding to know if that was him.
When you think you found the right food let your dog give it a try. If after a month your canine is itching like crazy, licking his paws, having digestive stress – you may have to hold your nose, it is time to try another dog food.
Dog Food Ingredients
The Good
Whole fresh meat or single-source meat meal (e.g. chicken meal rather than poultry meal)
A whole meat source as one of the first two ingredients (e.g. lamb or lamb meal)
Unprocessed grains and vegetables
The Bad
Generic fats or proteins like animal fat or meat meal
Artificial preservatives
Artificial Colors
Sweeteners
Salt
The Ugly
By-products (things like lungs, kidneys, brains, bone, blood, stomachs and intestines) YUCK!
The following dog foods have received four paws up from Whole Dog Journal and Good Dog Magazine. Note: there are other excellen dog foods out there so if your dog food is not on the list don’t worry. And remember not all dog foods work for all dogs. I have five dogs, and here at our “dog house” we serve three different types of dog food.
Dry Dog Foods
Azmira Classic Azmira uses herbs, minerals, and extra vitamin C.
Canidae This is what Berry is currently eating and it seems to be easy on his stomach. It has three meat proteins in the first five ingredients which is rare.
Eagle Pack Holistic Select Wanda and Dresden’s food. The holistic select is probably the highest quality food from Eagle Pack.
Natural Balance Ultra Premium The Ultra premium really is ultra premium with three protein sources in the top four ingredients.
Pinnacle Breeder’s Choice A holistic formula great for allergy sufferers
Solid Gold MMillenia Robin and Sarah’s food. Solid Gold does not use animal fats in their foods. The MMillenia is also great for allergy suffers. It’s also been great for Robin’s gas problem.
When it comes to choosing the right dog food, the well-being and health of your furry companion are top priorities. By selecting a dog food that meets their specific dietary needs and preferences, you can ensure they lead a happy and healthy life. Remember, each dog is unique, so what works for one may not work for another. We hope this guide has provided you with valuable insights to make an informed decision when selecting the best food for your beloved pet. If you have any other tips or experiences to share about choosing dog food, feel free to let us know in the comments below. Your feedback could help other pet owners make the best choice for their canine friends!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is basic dog food?
Basics provides all the healthy nutrients of BLUE without any of the components that some pet parents want to avoid. It is made with dietary sensitivities in mind. Each recipe is made without chicken, meat, corn, wheat, soy, dairy, or eggs, and is designed to support your dog’s healthy growth while promoting gentle digestion.
What is dog food called?
Kibble may be more commonly referred to as “dog food,” “cat food,” or even “guinea pig food.” It is an all-purpose word used to describe any meal or feed that is shaped into hard pellets, and it is a staple food for animals and pets.
What is important in dog food?
Water, proteins, lipids, carbs, minerals, and vitamins are the six fundamental nutrients. These vital nutrients are necessary for all of the body’s fundamental processes and must be included in the dog’s regular diet.
