As a pet parent, it's important to choose the best dog food for your pet. The choice should take into account your dog's age, breed, and any health conditions that they may have.
Thankfully, there are a number of brands that offer high-quality products. Using these tips, you'll be able to find the right food for your pup.
Ingredients
If you want to ensure your dog has the best possible diet, it's vital to look at the ingredients in the food. They will determine whether it's digestible or not.
The first five ingredients on a food label are usually the primary protein, carbohydrate, and fat sources in the food. They should be listed in descending order of weight, with the highest weights at the top.
Avoid foods with carbohydrates, white flour, artificial colors, and by-products in the first five ingredients. They will not be the best choice for your pet and may cause them digestive problems or other health issues.
Also avoid foods that contain cellulose, which is a plant-based complex carbohydrate used as a thickening agent. This ingredient is not digestible for dogs and has no nutritional value.
Quality
Dogs need a diet rich in high-quality protein and other key nutrients. They also need a variety of vitamins and minerals to keep their skin and coat healthy.
When evaluating a dog food, look for high-quality ingredients that have been carefully selected and sourced by the manufacturer. It should not contain fillers, artificial preservatives or additives that are harmful to your pet.
The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) has created nutritional guidelines that are the basis for the overall content of commercial pet foods. These guidelines are based on the needs of dogs of all sizes and life stages.
The first ingredient in a high-quality dog food should be a healthy source of protein like chicken or fish. If the first ingredient is animal by-products, grains or other cheap fillers you can be sure that this food is low in quality.
Value
If you're on a tight budget, it can be tempting to choose the least expensive dog food possible. However, this can be a mistake because the cheaper options often contain poor quality ingredients that don't provide your dog with enough nutrients to keep them healthy.
Premium dog foods tend to be more expensive than their cheaper counterparts because they feature higher-quality ingredients. For example, many of them contain more real meat than low-priced ones do, and they may also contain higher amounts of whole grains and vegetables.
In addition, they may contain more of the important vitamins and minerals your dog needs, and they are often supplemented with valuable nutrients like omega fatty acids, antioxidants, chondroitin, or glucosamine. These can help your dog to maintain a healthy weight and improve joint health.
Brands
Choosing the right brand can make or break your dog's diet. Veterinary professionals often recommend certain brands of dog food because they have a good reputation for creating quality dog foods.
The brands that they recommend often follow the guidelines of the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) to ensure that the nutrients are optimum for your dog's needs. They also use a lot of scientific research to create formulas that meet specific nutritional requirements.
For example, many veterinarians will recommend Royal Canin because they use a team of nutritionists and veterinarians to develop their dog food. The company also follows safety standards that are modeled after human food manufacturers.
Another important thing to keep an eye out for is the ingredients that are listed on the dog food bag. Generally speaking, you want to steer clear of ingredients like "animal by-products" or "meat meal." These are often the leftovers from the whole animal's organs that have been finely ground up and cooked down.
