Your dog’s health and well-being are important to you and your family. Not to mention keeping the cost of vet bills down! Therefore, you should carefully consider the food that you feed your pet. Sometimes people just pick the first bag of dog food they see in the store. It’s easy to overlook the importance of what you’re feeding your dog, but choosing the right one is essential.
To keep your pet healthy, he needs plenty of fresh water and should be fed good quality food in just the right amounts to meet his energy needs. Always follow the guidelines on the package for recommended feeding amounts.
Selecting the ideal food for your dog
The first challenge when choosing what to feed your pet is choosing one that has overall quality. The term that comes up a lot is human grade. The human grade implies that the food is good enough for us to eat… Delicious! Many commercial brands are made from materials that are unusable or less desirable for human consumption. Often the meat used in dog food is of a quality that is considered unfit for human consumption.
Major pet food companies try to provide balanced ratios of vitamins and minerals for maximum benefit to your pet. Although you may see many brands have nearly identical labels, a reputable company will give you an explanation of each supplement and how it benefits your dog.
Always read the label to see what protein, vitamins, and minerals the food provides. Try not to use store brands as they do not contain all the nutrition needed to keep your dog healthy.
Studies have shown that the main ingredient in any food you give your dog should be meat-based protein, not cornmeal, flour, or corn gluten meal. According to reviews, a better quality dog food results in a healthier coat, fewer digestive problems, and firmer stools. Pet nutrition experts agree that the best dog food is made with human-grade ingredients like meat, whole grains and vegetables. Premium dog food is very important because good nutrition is essential for a long and healthy life.
What are the different diets?
There are many varieties and types of dog food to choose from. The three most popular types are dry, semi-moist, and canned goods. Check the color of your dog’s food. Generally, foods made with natural ingredients will have soft earth tones and will not contain artificial preservatives, colors or flavors.
A raw food diet for dogs is becoming more popular. More and more veterinarians recommend feeding raw food. They feel that this is the best option and is the healthiest diet for their dog. After all, you’ve never seen your pet enjoy commercial food the way she enjoys a good meaty bone.
Raw food advocates admit that the diet costs more than a traditional diet, but argue that it’s worth it. You may find that it is not easy to find free homemade and natural raw food recipes. Try making a mixture of ground turkey, rice, and carrots for food. Your hound will thank you.
If you decide to go the commercial route, try and choose a good premium food as it contains more energy and protein than a budget brand. Unfortunately, not all brands contain high-quality, natural ingredients, so always check the label. It is best to consult with your veterinarian before deciding on the best diet for your dog or puppy. He will learn about the dietary needs of his pet and will find that veterinary offices and feed stores often offer excellent, natural dog food.
Going down the dry food trail
A good, high-quality dry dog food will work out cheaper than generic brands, even though they cost more per pound. The vast majority of dog owners opt for dry food for its convenience and ease of storage. Cheaper versions are made from soy, corn, or rice, while many premium dry foods are made with all-natural, human-grade ingredients.
The All Natural Dog Food Diet
Many natural dog foods contain only fresh, natural ingredients that are healthy for your dog. Not only are protein ingredients digestible, but carbohydrates in food are also digestible. This style has 100% nutritional value, which is important for healthy, strong dogs. Chicken, egg and fish are examples of proteins that are provided in this type of food. There are also ingredients that really help the health of your dog’s skin and your dog’s coat as well. One of the main drawbacks of natural foods is that they have a shorter shelf life and can spoil before use.
Can dogs become vegetarian?
There are diets specially formulated for dogs allergic to wheat, corn and/or chicken. There are also vegetarian dog foods marketed for owners who don’t want their dogs to consume meat products. Most vegetarian foods use soy as a source of protein. If your dog has allergies, consult your veterinarian before putting him on a specialized diet.
In general, it’s usually better to let dogs enjoy their own food and not ours, even if they prefer what we’re eating! Of course you can feed your dog treats from time to time, all dogs need a little TLC from time to time!