Let’s face it the pet food industry is just as commercial and competitive and the human food industry. No doubt you have seen dozens of ads about food for your dog. Which one is best? Sadly there is no definitive answer to that. Just like people every dog is different. Some dogs have allergies or medical conditions that require a special diet. Some dogs are intolerant or don’t like certain ingredients. So how do you determine what is the best food for YOUR dog? I’ve compiled some tips.
It is very common for dogs to have allergies to certain ingredients in food. Common ones are to wheat or corn and some dogs exhibit allergies to certain proteins. Common signs of food allergies can include poor skin or coat quality, itchy dry skin, and reoccurring ear and/or skin infections. If you notice any of these symptoms please consult your veterinarian first to determine if these are allergy related. Good foods to try are those with novel proteins such as venison or rabbit as well as grain free.
Age of your dog
Your dog’s dietary needs change with age. If your dog is a puppy it is important to feed a puppy food. These are typically higher in calories and fat to support the fast growth a puppy experiences. Puppies require much more calories than adult dogs. Nursing or pregnant mothers also require more calories and a puppy food is good for them as well.
If your dog is older than you may consider a food with a joint supplement to support the natural aging of your dog’s joints. Also senior foods tend to have fewer calories and are higher in protein to support the aging process.
Activity of your dog
If your dog is an athlete they will require more food and food with more calories. On the flip side if your dog is is lazy you should consider a weight reduction food. Weight reduction or ‘diet’ foods have fewer calories per cup and tend to be higher to fiber to help the animal feel full. A fat pet is not a happy pet! Obesity causes a long list of health problems just like in people.
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| Try to avoid colorings and unnecessary additives |
Nutrition
Try to pick out food for your dog like you would pick it out for yourself. If there are a lot of dyes and fillers you can’t pronounce on the ingredients list more than likely it wouldn’t be something you would eat. You have to be critical and read the ingredients list. A site that I find helpful is the pet food list.
Cost
Let us be reasonable here, the foods you find to be the best may not be realistic for your budget. You still need to put aside money for healthcare for your dog and if you are going broke just buying food it really doesn’t help him or you. However buying the cheapest food will do no favors for your dog either. Most cheap dog foods are more filler than anything and only have the bare minimum of nutritional value for a dog. Find a food that you can feel good about feeding your dog that won’t break the bank. I have seen that many people have a good experience with the Kirkland brand food available from Costco.
In the end there is a lot of marketing when it comes to pet food. There are also a lot of opinions. Doing the research and finding the best food for your friend is a trial and error process. The best food is the best food for your dog.
Also remember when changing your dog’s food slowly transition to the new food by mixing in increasing amounts of the new food. This helps avoid tummy upset and diarrhea.
