Buying dog food can be confusing. What is the best type of dog food? Which features should you look for? To guide you in the right direction, here is a list of points to consider.
1. Meat and Vegetables
Dogs have evolved to live alongside humans, and that's reflected in their digestive tracts. Dogs aren't firmly carnivorous like their wolf ancestors, but they also aren't supposed to be vegans (even if their human companions are). Instead, dogs are omnivores, and you should look for food that has both meat and plants. However, you should look for dog food that features meat as the number one ingredient. Otherwise, the food tends to be full of fillers and byproducts.
2. Limited Filler and Byproducts
Filler refers to any cheap ingredients that are used to bulk out the dog food. Byproducts are secondary products made in the manufacturing of primary food products. Ideally, you want to avoid excess amounts of either of these types of ingredients. They add volume to the food without really adding any nutrition.
3. Allergens
If your dog has any allergies, you should scan the list of ingredients for allergens. Potential allergens may include eggs, wheat or dairy. Luckily. Some dog food manufacturers actually address these allergens with foods made just for dogs who can't tolerate these ingredients.
4. Texture
Also, think about the texture of the food. If you have a senior dog or a dog who has suffered from canine cavities, you may need soft foods. Most adult dogs need a bit of crunch—in addition to providing a pleasant mouth-feel, crunchy foods also help to clean teeth.
The crunchy pieces essentially scrape bits of goo off the teeth. In contrast, soft food is more likely to coat the teeth. Finally, in this vein, also check out the size of each kibble. Small dogs may need small bite-sized pieces, while dogs with larger mouths can handle moderate to large pieces of dog food.
5. Lifestage
You may also want to think about lifestage. Some dog foods are made specifically for puppies or seniors. However, if you have multiple dogs, you may want to look for a food that works for multiple life stages. If feeding puppies, keep in mind that they need extra protein—so focus on the dog foods with meat as the number one ingredient. With older dogs, focus on gentle recipes without a lot of allergens or fillers.
Share19 June 2017
I was so happy when I finally escaped the city and built my new life on the farm. For many years, I had worked as a lawyer in the city of Perth. While the work was interesting, the hours were long and I hated being trapped in the big city. I remember how as a child, my father would take me out into the countryside. I decided I was going to quit my job and make a fresh start. I was so excited. However, I got a real shock when I arrived on the farm and I realised I didn't have a clue about farming. Thankfully, over the past 6 months, my neighbours have begun to teach me everything I need to know about the world of arigculture. I decided to start this blog to help others who plan to move out of the big city.
