When choosing dog food, you have to wonder which kibble your dog will eat, but you have to factor in allergies, weight control issues, skin care and whether your dog should be eating any of store bought varieties or not. We’re going to delve in a bit about certain dog food types and what you need to look for… and watch out for.
With so many variations of dog food in the market, it isn’t always easy to identify the best dog chow for our dog. There are so many brands and flavours to choose from, and with manufacturers who plaster their labels with: “super tasty”, “antioxidant rich”, “picky eaters love this!”, and of course; “Omega-3 fatty acids” and “Grain Free!”?
What we can do, though, is to conduct a simple dog food comparison to determine which foods best fit our dog’s requirements and our personal schedule. After all, some foods offer much greater convenience than the more natural, less processed types of food which may require freezing, thawing, cooking and preparation.
Aside from convenience, we find the best food to give your dog depends not on the brand or the style, but rather on your dog’s age and any special requirements they may have. For example, older dogs require food containing a careful balance of protein, fat and fiber. Most commercial dog food companies address this need with offerings such as senior dog food, containing about 18 % protein, and food for dogs diagnosed with renal failure, containing about 14% protein.
Dry Dog Food
Dry dog food consists of corn meal, wheat gluten and sometimes even soy. This type of dry-kibble uses a primary ingredient on the label such as chicken, beef or lamb. More specifically, the main ingredient is usually a meat byproduct that’s been processed, dried and sold in packs or bags for easy dispensing. Needless to say, meat byproducts are far cheaper than meat, so this type of dog food is not only easy to store, it’s much less expensive than other types.
Hard kibble comes with some advantages. For example, it gives your dog’s mouth some exercise, and kibble’s less likely to contribute to plaque than softer foods.
Canned Dog Food
Canned dog food includes the semi-moist variety. Some dog owners will mix canned (wet food) with dry kibble for reasons such as a picky eater, nutritional benefits or for those dogs who are grazers and owners can’t leave food laying around.
Semi-moist food is attractively convenient to owners, and dogs love it. Unfortunately, it may cause dental problems in the mid-term and worse in the long term, because semi-moist food is loaded with corn syrup and other sugars.
Consider premium dog foods. Ones without corn meal, soy or wheat gluten. They should not contain no artificial coloring and preservatives, but are chock-full of vitamins and minerals. Since vegetables, fruits, real meat and quality grains are used as the primary protein source in the highest-quality dog foods, these foods are a fast route to healthy skin and beautiful fur.
What About Dog Treats?
There are simply some dog treats that shouldn’t be on the market. They’re full of chemicals, preservatives and other by products – m,ost all contain gluten, wheat or other type of cheap grain. DDG has developed a very simple dog treat recipe that includes only 2 ingredients (bananas and oats), and the dogs we’ve given this treat to love them!
What to Watch For When Buying Dog Food
One of the most important things to pay attention to when buying dog food is to check consumer alerts websites to find out if the food you’re feeding your pet has been recalled. This has happened several times over the years as most manufacturers re-label food to brand themselves. There are some manufacturers of dog food that creates food for several different brands. You need to e mindful of who these brands are and if their food is a fit for your dog.
