How To Choose A Dry Dog Food
Consider Dog’s Age and Health
The nutritional needs of each dog are all slightly different, and so you need to consider your canine’s condition before randomly selecting a foodstuff. Puppies and Seniors usually require specialised food which contains extra quantities of the ingredients they need to thrive, usually those which support or promote bone and joint health. If your dog has a medical condition or food intolerances it’s probably also better to purchase medical/veterinary-approved prescription food.
Analyse The Ingredients List
The only way to ensure there is nothing nasty or unnecessary in your mutt’s meal is to trawl through the ingredients list.
Find The Right Balance
Although we often stress how important it is to give your dog a balanced diet, there are still some food groups they require more than others to stay healthy. For example, although carbohydrates have their benefits for dogs, they should never be higher in quantity than protein or fats in a dog’s food. As a rule, try and find dog grub which is highest in protein, and then features fats as a close second.
Features To Look Out For
Oils and Fatty Acids
You’ll often see dry dog food including things like oils and fatty acids in their contents, which admittedly doesn’t sound like the sort of thing you want in a dry kibble. However, essential fats like these are incredibly important when it comes to hydrating your mutt’s skin and keeping their coat shiny and glossy
Hypoallergenic
This often just means that ingredients like wheat, gluten, soy and dairy have been removed from the product. However these aren’t actually very common allergies, and so if you suspect your dog has an allergy you’re better off purchasing a hydrolysed protein dog food.
Grain-free
Removing grains from a dog’s food actually has almost no positive effects, so there’s no need to purposely seek out a grain-free grub option.
Teeth Cleaning Agents
Nobody likes cleaning their dog’s teeth, but there are ways you can lessen your daily brushing quota. Certain dry dog food is designed with a texture that helps prevent tartar build-up and some even contain a calcium agent that helps clean teeth.
High Protein
Protein is absolutely vital to all dog diet’s and so it’s crucial you choose dog food which has a natural protein source as it’s the main ingredient. You should ideally look for options with a minimum of 18% protein.
Vitamins and Minerals
For nutritional balance, a pup needs vitamins and minerals, as well as all the health benefits that come with them.
Digestion Aids
One of the most common complaints people have about dogs and their diet is gastrointestinal issues, ranging from minor to serious. It’s therefore important to choose kibble which promises smoother digestion thanks to fibrous ingredients or prebiotics.
No Artificial Ingredients
Too many dog foods are filled with nasty junk and preservatives that your canine just doesn’t need. If your dog food doesn’t stress that it’s made from natural ingredients or free from additives, that’s probably because it’s not.
Sizes
There’s no point buying a 1 Kg bag of dry food if you’ve got a Great Dane, as it’s highly likely they’re going to gobble it up within a few days! Save yourself some money and buy the bag size appropriate for your pup.
Breed Size
Some forms of kibble are marketed towards certain sized breeds as different sized dogs often require different levels of proteins or carbohydrates in their diet. Make sure you check your food is suitable for all breeds, or that it is designed for your pup’s.
