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As if dog owners do not have enough to worry about between visits to the vet, training classes and books, and making sure little Bruno gets enough exercise, dog food companies are now making decisions about our pets’ diets very difficult. Gone are the days of running into the store, grabbing the first bag you see with a picture of a retriever on it (which was usually the only bag in stock), and running back out the door. Nope. Now, there is a plethora of brands, types, sizes, flavors, and even colors for you to choose from. How do you make the right choice?
The first thing that you should do is commit to finding the best dog food for your dog. It sounds easy but it can be a harrowing task and it can take months to find something that gives your dog everything he needs. Consider your dog’s age before you choose a food. Puppy food naturally has more calories and energy building carbohydrates that promote growth and development than adult dog food. Therefore, an adult dog would probably have unhealthy side effects if you fed him food made for younger dogs. Similarly, larger and more active breeds have different nutritional needs than smaller dogs. All reputable dog food companies label the bags with the breed size they are appropriate for feeding.
After you’ve weeded out the dog foods that are completely inappropriate for your dog, it is time to sort through the dozens you have left that all say that they can feed a dog like yours the best. One great way to narrow your choices is to decide between the three basic types of dog food: dry, semi-moist, or wet. Once you make this decision, you can more easily choose a brand and formula.
Dry dog food is by far the most popular. It is the easiest to transport for people who purchase a large quantity at a time, and it is the cheapest by volume. Most owners of large breeds and active dogs rely solely on dry dog food, also called kibble. There is a large variety among the dry dog food types, including different flavors, shapes, and nutritional balances. Many dog owners also swear by dry dog food as a tooth-friendly type of food. The hard kibbles serve as scrapers to help clean the dog’s teeth and gums between brushing and dental treats.
Semi-moist dog food, alternatively, is the least popular among pet owners. This dog food is made in a very similar way as the dry dog food, but instead of being dried out, moisture is actually added and the food is sealed in a moisture lock material. Because of the texture, semi-moist dog foods often contain added salt and sugar that are used as preservatives. Additionally, a lot of semi-moist foods have even more added preservatives in order to fend off problems from moisture leading to bacteria growth within the packaging.
While not as popular as dry dog foods, canned wet foods do have a solid market. Owners of smaller dogs actually prefer this type to the dry dog food because it is more economical for them. When you only buy a little, this food can last a very long time and can be cheaper than the smaller bags of dry dog food. Because the dental make-up of smaller dogs is different than that of larger breeds, the benefits that some large dog owners see in dry kibbles as teeth cleaning agents is lost on smaller dogs. The dry food can actually get caught in their small teeth and cause plaque buildup or gingivitis.
Once you have determined which type of dog food you would like to feed your dog, you are almost done. Make sure to read all of the labels carefully and choose the one that is right for your dog. Look for foods that are low in chemicals and preservatives and high in natural ingredients that contain proteins and carbohydrates.
Remember that your dog is as unique as you are. Do not hesitate to try a number of different dog foods until you have found one that you dog will eat on a consistent basis and appears to promote a healthy coat and happy demeanor.
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