The Best Nutrition
For Your Dog
Different types of foods
Just like humans, dogs also need nutritious foods filled with proteins, fats, fibers, vitamins, and minerals, and they need fresh drinking water at all times available to them.
There are multiple options to choose from when considering what type of food you want to give your dog.
You can choose from
- canned,
- dry,
- raw food
The nutrition your dog gets can massively effect his health. Make sure the food you give him is the most high-quality food you can afford.
In this article, I’ll tell you about all these options, so it helps you when you are choosing what food to give. So keep on reading to find out more.
Dry food
Dry food is the cheapest option out of all the dog food available in the market, and it’s the easiest to store. Dry food is prepared by combining meats and grains. Dry food has dental benefits since it helps to keep your dog’s teeth and gums healthy.
Dry food is also a very energy-dense food option.
But most dry foods lack the nutrients your dog needs to function in daily life. Dry food is also likely to contain preservatives. Also, the tastiness of it isn’t as good and enjoyable as, for example, canned foods. Some dry foods have a high amount of grains. Grains ensure that the food won’t expire quickly. Dogs aren’t able to digest grains well, therefore, eating tons of dry food that contains grains isn’t good for them.
There are various options of dry foods to choose from. The best dry food is high-quality and contains the appropriate ingredients for your dog’s dietary needs, age, and breed. So if you decide to feed your dog dry food, make sure to check that the ingredient list. Make sure the list starts with some kind of meat; beef, lamb, or chicken.
Make sure that there is always water available since dogs who eat dry food drink more water.
Canned food
Canned food contains more fats and protein, and is also moister than dry food, which makes it easier to eat. The tastiness of canned foods beats the tastiness of dry food. So if your dog is a picky eater and won’t eat dry food, try feeding him canned food. Canned food tends to smell better and has a more pleasant texture, and is therefore more enjoyable for the dog. The ingredients of canned foods and dry foods are similar but the quantity differs.
Always read the ingredient lists for canned foods because some include preservatives and more.
Like dry food, canned food doesn’t include all the needed nutrients.
Canned foods can increase weight gain. Canned food also expires fast after opening and is more expensive than dry food. Some canned foods even cause dental problems since they can get stuck to the teeth and cause plaque buildup.
Like with dry food, with canned food also there are many options to choose from. The best type of canned food for your dog is the one that meets his dietary needs, age and breed.
Raw
Raw dog food has the most benefits, compared to canned and dry food. It is the closest food to a dog’s natural diet. It includes the most essential nutrients for your dog’s overall health. For example, it gives your dog all the energy he needs, takes care of his teeth, and also it gives his coat a healthy glow. It also includes the needed vitamins and minerals.
Sometimes it’s good to add more fiber to raw food, such as vegetables, because it increases the number of nutrients the food has. Raw food is recommended to be given at least part of your dog’s diet.
Raw food can be easily made at home. The downside of making it yourself is that it might cost more and take more time.
Raw foods can have some threats to dogs and also to human health because of the possible bacteria in the raw meat.
Also, some meats might include whole bones, which your dog might choke on, it can cause breakage of teeth and cause an internal puncture. To avoid this take every possible bone of.
Best food for your buddy
So how do you know which food is the best for your dog?
The best food for a dog is meat-based, includes vegetables, full of nutrients, such as protein, carbs, fats, vitamins, minerals, and fibers, doesn’t contain tons of preservatives, is low on grains, and is overall healthy.
The best dog food meets his nutritional needs. Remember that not every dog is the same so therefore not every dog’s nutritional needs are the same. Some dogs can be allergic to all poultry meat and can only eat lamb, and other dogs can eat every type of meat. Some dogs are hypoallergic and some have no allergies whatsoever.
The nutritional need of a puppy and an adult dog vary. Therefore the food you feed to your puppy now is not great for him when he is older. The same goes for the different sizes of dogs.
Learn to read the ingredient lists so you know what is in the food you are feeding your dog. Especially when your dog has allergies you must be aware that the food doesn’t contain stuff that is inappropriate for him.
Selecting the best food
So how do you then choose the best food for your dog?
In the end, you decide what you want to give to your dog.
Always keep in mind his needs and therefore choosing the right food is not hard. You might have to try various options but eventually, you will find one that fits him perfectly. So if your dog has energy, his coat and skin are in a good condition, his digestion is working well and his overall health is great, the food most certainly is the right one for him.
Contact your veterinarian if you are still unsure about what food to give to your dog.