There’s nothing like having a dog for a pet if you’re looking for companionship and selfless love. This also means that you’ve to be a responsible pet parent! Especially when it comes to your canine friend’s nutrition, you might be confused about whether to opt for homemade or commercially available food.
Types of dog food
There are various types of dog food available these days, including kibble diet, canned food, freeze-dried feed, and raw food. It is essential to know about these diets in detail so that you can pick the perfect meal for your pet baby. Have a look at these popular forms of commercially available and homemade feeds.
- Kibble food
Kibble is a type of commercially available dry dog food in the form of pellets. They aim to provide complete nutrition to canines so that they can maintain standard weight, remain energetic, and stay away from diseases.
Listed below are the advantages of kibble
Maintains a right balance of nutrients
Kibbles contain a healthy balance of all nutrients. Pellets have protein (mostly due to the meat), carbohydrates, essential vitamins, and micronutrients, so that pet dogs stay fit and active after consuming them.
Prevents dental issues
Dogs tend to develop dental diseases due to bacterial build-up on their gum line and in between the teeth. It often results in severe bacterial disorders and bad breath. Chewable kibble helps in removing microbes from the oral cavity and maintains perfect dental health.
Easily procured
You can conveniently get kibble from online pet boutiques or supermarkets. You just need to scoop the required number of pellets from the pack and serve them to your dog.
Tasty options
Kibbles taste great, and your pet will eat them up without any fuss.
Long shelf-life
They also have a long shelf-life. You can store kibbles in air-tight containers for months without any deterioration in their quality.
Following are the various types of kibbles:
Extruded
This is produced by making dough with ground ingredients, followed by the cooking of the dough and cutting it into pellets.
Baked
These kibbles are manufactured at a low temperature to retain the nutrients.
Coated
The freeze-dried coating on kibbles is another option.
- Canned dog food
Canned dog foods are also popular among pet parents. They are mostly available in the wet form, so your pets can enjoy a variety of tastes and textures during mealtimes. Previously, canned feeds were primarily available in tin containers. However, nowadays, you also get them in BPA-free (Bisphenol-A free) tetra packs and pouches.
Listed below are the advantages of canned food
Taste
Canned dog foods are palatable, as they come with a wide variety of aromas and flavors. These products are available in shredded, flaked, or in a stew form. They are tastier and softer than kibbles and are perfect if your pet baby is fussy about food.
Moisture
Canned products contain approximately 70 to 80 percent moisture, while dry kibbles only have about 10 percent water. Hence, the moisture content in canned foods is extremely beneficial for dogs, as they may not drink sufficient quantities of water otherwise. Canned products help in maintaining the water balance in their system and prevent dehydration. Additionally, it also aids in the digestion and metabolism of pets.
Listed below are the disadvantages of canned food
Expensive
Canned foods are a costly option, so it is better to mix kibbles with canned products to promote healthy eating habits among canines.
Absence of chewable pieces
Canned foods do not contain any chewable pieces. Dogs can develop periodontal issues if they solely feed on these meals. Remember to brush their teeth daily and offer chewable supplements to maintain their oral health.
- Dehydrated and freeze-dried dog food
Pet parents also like to get dehydrated and freeze-dried dog foods for their canine babies. These products are either raw or gently cooked before their moisture content is removed, and they’re frozen. They almost retain complete nutrition, as the foods do not get processed at high temperatures.
Listed below are the advantages of dehydrated food
The right mix of chewy and soft meal
Dehydrated and freeze-dried foods offer the perfect mix of chewy and soft meals for dogs. They are a better option than kibbles (dehydrated form) and canned items (totally soft diet). These feeds act as abrasives, removing tiny food pieces from between teeth. At the same time, they do not hurt the gums, thanks to sufficient softer chunks in the mixture.
Easy to serve
You can prepare the dehydrated and freeze-dried feeds within minutes. All you have to do is add some water to the content to regain moisture. They are available in finely ground, course, or flaked forms. You can also pack these foods conveniently during weekend trips or camping events.
Helps in digestion
Dehydrated and freeze-dried foods are easy to digest. They are gentle on the stomach, contain vitamins and micronutrients, which improve metabolism.
- Raw diets
Some pet parents feel that serving raw food to dogs is the most natural way to nourish them. It contains meat and bones, liver, kidney, fresh eggs, yogurt, and vegetables like spinach, broccoli, and celery. Racing greyhounds and sled dogs mainly like consuming raw foods rather than processed ones.
Listed below are the advantages of raw diets
Conveniently available
All ingredients of raw foods are readily available in the house. You just need to mix them in the correct proportions so that your pet shows optimal growth and retains energy and stamina throughout the day.
Shiny coat
Raw, unprocessed foods contain a high quantity of omega fatty acids and amino acids, which are essential for developing a shiny coat and healthy skin. Pet owners notice less shedding of hair and less dander when they predominantly feed raw foods to their pets.
Tips for picking dog food
It is essential to select the right dog food , keeping in mind the age, breed, dietary needs, and recommendations of veterinarians. It can help them get the appropriate dose of nutrients and keep diseases at bay. If you are still confused, then consider the following tips for selecting the best dog food.
- Determine the dietary needs
Not every breed of dog has the same nutritional requirements. Large breeds like Neapolitan mastiffs, Dogue de Bordeaux, English mastiffs, Dalmatians, and Doberman Pinschers require a high amount of proteins and fibers in their diet. On the other hand, smaller breeds like Miniature Poodles, Miniature Pinschers, and Scottish Terriers need more vitamins and micronutrients to keep diseases at bay. At the same time, you should also consider the age of pets while picking the best feed. Young pups and lactating mothers require a high-calorie diet to keep up with their dietary needs.
- Consider the bodyweight of dogs
If your dog is maintaining weight within the standard range, then you can easily feel its ribs with your palms. In that case, a diet containing 20 to 25 percent protein is sufficient for maintaining your canine pal’s health. On the contrary, if you have a chubby pup, then you should reduce its calorie content by 10 to 25 percent to bring it back to the ideal weight range. Similarly, thin dogs require a diet with 10 to 25 percent more calories than those with a healthy weight. So, consider all these aspects while charting the diet plan for your pet. - Consult a veterinarian
Just like human beings, dogs also suffer from several medical issues like pancreatitis, diabetes, chronic diarrhea, skin conditions, and kidney diseases. Accordingly, you must talk to a veterinarian to make a proper diet plan for your pets. Many pups also suffer from food allergies. They may show symptoms like chronic diarrhea or skin rashes due to this underlying health issue. After consulting veterinarians, check what kind of food or ingredient is causing the allergies, and pay attention to the label while selecting dog foods.
- Pay attention to AAFCO label
It is better to pick AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials)-approved dog foods. It suggests that the products have followed the government guidelines during the formulation and manufacturing process. They are safe for consumption by pets and also offer necessary nutritional requirements for the growth and development of canines.
- Check the Ingredients
Before purchasing any commercial dog food, always go through the list of ingredients. In general, dogs are omnivorous. So, they can consume meat, grains, as well as vegetables. However, when it comes to meat, try to figure out whether the feed contains chicken or beef. Many dog-feeds also include secondary organs like kidney, liver, heart, and diaphragm in addition to muscles. However, AAFCO recommends that pet meals should not contain hair, horns, hooves, or teeth of other animals.
- Always select the freshest package
When you shop for ready-to-eat dog foods, always purchase the freshest package available on the shelf. It is because most of these products remain laced with a coating of fat to enhance the taste. However, over time, the fat becomes rancid after coming in contact with air and light. In this condition, the taste and quality of the food become poorer, and it becomes unfit for consumption. So, always look for the date of manufacture before adding the dog food to your shopping cart.
Top branded dog foods
These days, if you browse for the top dog foods, you will get flooded with a host of products. Naturally, it can be challenging to select the perfect pet feed. Trust this list for the best products.
- Merrick Grain Free Dry Dog Food
It is one of the best grain-free products for pets, made with exclusive Texas beef, sweet potatoes, lamb, and peas. Here, the meat is the primary ingredient, ensuring that the protein content is high. Moreover, it also has omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids for healthy skin and fur, and glucosamine and chondroitin for strong joints. All the ingredients are sourced from local farmers so that you can rest assured about its quality.
- Castor & Pollux Natural Ultramix
It is another excellent grain-free and poultry-free food for your canine friend. The key ingredient in this feed is salmon, so it is rich in terms of not only nutrition but also taste. Your pet will get to enjoy a generous dose of peas, bananas, and carrots through this meal. The company claims that it is rich in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, calcium, and phosphorus for healthy skin, teeth, and bones.
- Natural Balance Ultra-Premium Wet Dog Food
One of the most excellent canned dog foods available in the country comes in four flavors: lamb, beef, chicken, and veg. The manufacturer claims that they test the products up to 9 times to ensure there is no negligence in terms of quality. It has a high level of lean protein, useful for increasing the energy level and stamina of dogs.
- Stella & Chewy’s Freeze-Dried Raw Dog Food
This food contains cage-free turkey meat, along with turkey liver and ground bones, to offer up to 40 percent crude protein to dogs. It is also rich in fibers and probiotics, so you do not need to worry about gut infections in pets. Additionally, it also contains micronutrients, antioxidants, and superfoods like organic squash and organic blueberries.
- Bil-Jac Small Breed Select Dry Dog Food
If you have a small-breed dog in your house, then look no further than Bil-Jac dog foods. This one contains small, easy-to-chew pellets that are rich in chicken, oatmeal, and yams. You can also mix a small quantity of water with the product to make it soft and chewy at the same time.
So, now, you have a fair idea about the different types of dog foods and how you can choose the right one for your pet. Feel free to consult a vet as well, before you shop for these, especially if your dog is a special breed, has allergies, or suffers from any health condition.
