Our pets are more than just companions; they are family and deserve the best. Choosing between all those options that can help you feed your furball buddy feels like a nightmare. Kibble, wet food, raw diets, and stuff in between. What's best for their health and happiness? Don't worry; we've got the info covered!
Here are 8 of the most important questions about the various types of dog food, so you have the information to make informed choices about your pup. Whether you are curious about ingredients, nutritional value, or what suits your dog's lifestyle, we'll help you find the perfect match. Let's get started!
1. What Kind of Food Should I Feed My Dog?
The right food for your dog depends on various factors, including their age, breed, size, gender, activity level, temperament, and whether they are neutered or not. It's crucial to choose a proper diet based on these needs for overall health and comfort.
A good diet means that your dog gets the right proportions of the six essential groups of nutrients: proteins, fats and oils, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, and water. Most premium pet foods are designed to provide this balance so that your pet can have an optimum source of energy, growth, and vitality in life. Nutrition is always first for a dog to be happy and healthy.
A Breakdown of The Types of Food Available:
Kibble or Dry food
It is considered the most economical form of commercially prepared dog food. It also lasts longer and doesn't have to be refrigerated. In addition to this, Dry dog food can also keep your dog's teeth healthy as chewing crunchy dry food reduces tartar formation on the teeth. When picking a certain dry dog food brand, check the ingredient labels carefully and opt for a brand that uses wholesome ingredients.
Canned wet food
It has a long shelf life, and is easy to find in any supermarket, but can be expensive. For some owners, it is worth the expense, but not every brand of commercial
Canned food:
It provides the protein that your dog needs. The real question is how much digestible protein it provides. Indigestible protein passes right through your dog's system without being broken down into absorbable nutrients, so it's more or less useless to him. Also, most canned dog food is about 75% water.
The higher the water content, the less nutritious, meaning your dog will consume more food. If you choose to feed your dog canned food, it is recommended to go with something labelled ‘100% nutritionally complete’ (US brands) or ‘complete and balanced’ (UK/European brands).
Semi-moist dog food:
It is moist dog food in the form of pork chops, burgers, or other meat foods. This food is the least nutritious of all dog foods and contains many artificial flavours and colorings. It can be given to your dog as an occasional treat, but it should not be considered as a diet for it does not provide your dog the nutrition that it requires.
Home-cooked:
Some owners like to have control over their dog's diet. Feeding your dog a home-cooked diet is time-consuming and expensive, but many owners think the extra effort is worth the peace of mind they gain. If you choose to feed your dog a home-cooked diet, it is wise to research canine nutrition so you can be sure your dog is not missing out on any vital nutrients.
A raw diet:
It consists of raw meat, preferably with some bones (never cooked bones, only raw) and organs mixed in, as bones are a natural source of phosphorus and calcium. This kind of diet works well for many dogs because dogs have short intestinal tracts and strong stomach acids, which make it easy for them to digest raw food.
However, it can be quite time-consuming, and there's also a risk of dietary imbalances, causing broken teeth or bones, and food poisoning. Before changing your dog to a raw diet, talk to your veterinarian about the risks and benefits.
Veterinary Diets:
There are increasingly large numbers of diets that have been formulated especially to support dogs with various conditions, such as renal failure, liver disease, or urinary disease. These work by controlling the quantity of specific nutrients in the food which impacts the condition being treated-for instance limiting the amount of protein in a renal diet so that the kidneys do not have to work as hard to eliminate the by-products of protein.
They should only be fed on advice from your vet, as in some circumstances they can cause damage to a dog without special needs. If your dog has any specific health problems or if you are in any doubt as to its feeding requirements we recommend you consult your veterinarian.
2. Should I Avoid Economy Brands of Dog Food?
As with many consumer products, you get what you pay for. Economy brands of dog food are made from the cheapest ingredients available. Their energy values are lower, their proteins are lower-grade, and they contain higher 'filler' ingredients. Much of the food, therefore, passes through your dog without being digested or absorbed.
3. What Are The Benefits of Premium Brands of Dog Food?
Premium dog food brands employ higher-quality ingredients from sources with higher biological values. That is, they will better digest; therefore, your dog will not need to consume as much, and produce less waste.
4. Is Dry Food Better Than Wet Food?
Dry dog food has some positive aspects. Firstly, it is easier to store and serve. Moreover, it contains less smell and will not spoil more readily when left in the dog's bowl. Also, dry dog food does not allow the build-up of much tartar when chewing, and usually, it costs less. Wet dog food can be helpful for those dogs that require an increase in water intake. In case of doubt, always consult your vet.
5. Can I Mix Dry Food With Canned Food?
It's not recommended to feed your dog both wet and dry foods unless on a specific diet. Consult your veterinarian for advice on the best diet choice for your pet.
6. Should I Feed My Dog Semi-moist Foods?
Semi-moist foods, though convenient, typically are relatively high in sugars and not good food sources for dogs. They can promote dental disease as well. Many artificial colours and preservatives are also found in semi-moist foods.
7. How Should I Feed My Puppy?
Puppies have small stomach sizes, so they usually need to be fed small and often. Four times a day is enough from weaning until he is four months old, then three times daily until they are six months when the frequency can be reduced to twice per day for the rest of his life.
Puppies must be fed on a diet balanced in omega fatty acids, phosphorus, and calcium, therefore, commercial puppy food is preferred since it is specifically developed to cater to the puppies' needs.
Large breed puppies grow extremely fast and put considerable strains on their growing bones and their joints. Diets formulated for large-breed puppies are designed to aid in trying to reduce the likelihood of joint issues. Ask the breeder what the puppy has been fed during weaning, for it is better to gradually wean the puppy off this food than to make it jump abruptly to the new diet.
8. What Types of Food Shall I Feed My Senior Dog?
The older dog needs to be fed a balanced diet with fewer calories, enough protein, and fat but with high fibre. Some older dogs need to eat only regular food in much smaller amounts. Senior diets are usually low in calories. They make the dog's stomach feel fuller for longer. If your dog has significantly decreased kidney function, then a diet less in protein will lower the workload for the kidneys.
Lower fat normally means lower calories; so many senior diets have a fat level of around 8 to 12%. Older dogs are more prone to constipation, so senior diets are higher in fibre at around 3 to 5%. Use wheat bran in normal dog food to increase the fibre content. If your senior dog can still eat dry food, this can help keep down the accumulation of tartar and reduce the tendency for gum disease.
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