Choosing The Best Dog Food
The best dog food for your dog is ultimately up to you to decide. As an owner, you are the one who sees your dog on a regular basis. If your dog produces firm, healthy stool, is active and fit, and has a healthy appetite, then your dog food is probably working just fine.
Your veterinarian is a valuable resource to you during this process. They know more about pet nutrition than the average owner, and they also have access to research and resources that owners do not have. Your vet can help you narrow down your options and should be more than happy to help you find the answers to your questions about your dogs food.
AKC is a participant in affiliate advertising programs designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to akc.org. If you purchase a product through this article, we may receive a portion of the sale.
Best Dog Food For Puppies
The nutritional needs of dogs vary throughout their life. Puppies have different nutritional needs than adult dogs, and senior dogs have their own nutritional considerations. Most dog food companies carry specially formulated puppy foods for each stage of a dogs life, making it easier to narrow down your choices. If you are concerned about which is the best dog food for your dogs life stage, consult your veterinarian to see what stage food is appropriate for your dog.
Your puppy requires a different nutrient balance than an adult dog. This is especially true for large breeds. Feeding a large breed puppy food can help, as their growth needs to be monitored carefully to prevent bone and joint problems. Other puppies do well on both puppy food and food labeled for all life stages. The best food for your puppy depends on your puppys size and breed. Always consult your veterinarian for recommendations on puppy feeding, and advice on how to switch puppies to adult dog food.
There Are Actually 3 Puppy Food Options: Wet Dry And Semi
All dog food is essentially comprised of the same basic stuff: Some proteins, some fats, some carbs, some water, and a tiny bit of other stuff that doesnt matter at the moment .
The relative amounts of each differ from one food to the next, but the primary way by which wet, dry, and semi-moist foods differ relates to their water content.And, as Im sure is already painfully obvious, wet foods have a bunch of water, dry foods dont, and semi-moist foods fall somewhere in between.
Simply put:
- Wet foods are typically canned, but they can also come in individually sealed packages or tins. The terms wet food and canned food are often used interchangeably .
- Dry foods are usually packaged in big waxed paper bags, although some recipes are packaged in cardboard boxes. Dry foods are also called kibble.
- Semi-moist foods generally resemble a ground meat product, although it can also be formed into long, spaghetti-like strands. It is usually packaged in individually proportioned plastic bags.
Generally speaking, the three types of food vary along a somewhat consistent gradient. This means that semi-moist foods occupy a middle ground between the two extremes. Given this, and the fact that semi-moist foods are much less popular than the other two varieties and often expensive, well be concentrating on wet and dry foods from here on out.
Don’t Miss: Where Is Merrick Dog Food Made
The Pros And Cons Of Wet Food For Dogs
Jenna Stregowski, RVT has worked in veterinary medicine for more than two decades. Her veterinary experience ranges from routine wellness care and preventive medicine to emergency and specialty care, where she has performed duties ranging from specialized nursing to clinical administration. Jenna has been writing about pet care for over 10 years, including for publications like DVM 360 and DogTime.
Proper nutrition is essential for all dogs, and choosing the right food can be an overwhelming task. In addition to the hundreds of commercial dog food brands to choose from, you also need to decide if you want to feed your dog dry food or wet food.
Many dog owners choose dry food for price and convenience. However, more and more owners are feeding wet food for its potential health benefits. This article will look at the advantages of feeding wet food vs dry food?
To Disguise The Taste Of Something
If you need tosupplement your pet with vitamins or treat it with a medicine, the easiest wayto administer it is by mixing it with food. Nonetheless, some dogs will refuseto eat it due to the taste.
The best way todisguise it is to add water to dry dog food, to moisten it and allow the flavorand aroma of kibble to expand and mask it totally.
For example, its a great way to hide the flavor of supplements like hemp CBD oil, which has proven to reduce arthritic pain and boost activity in dogs. Its helpful but its flavor can repel many dogs, and if it were your case, then youd only need to add some water.
However, what to mix with dry dog food if water were not enough? Stock will do the trick. You can use bones or meat. Either way, you will provide your dog with superior nutrition.
Recommended Reading: Who Makes Dr Pol Dog Food
Whats Good About Dry Food
Dry dog food is generally what most owners favor as it is usually more convenient, but there are also many health benefits to dry food that do wonders for your dog. A big plus to feeding your dog a dry diet is that it can support their dental health. The texture of dry kibble encourages your dog to chew before they swallow, which improves their digestion and also helps to clean their teeth. All Eukanuba adult and senior diets use an S-shaped kibble that can help provide a brushing effect. Our adult and senior dry diets are also coated in sodium hexametaphosphate, which helps bind calcium in your dog’s saliva to help slow the formation of tartar between meals.
Benefits Of Dry Dog Food
Dry dog food is more cost-effective, lasts longer once it is opened, and is easier to feed and store than wet food. Dry food can also help to keep a dog’s teeth clean by scraping off plaque as the food is chewed.
It is widely accessible, doesn’t need special storage once it is opened like canned food requires, and comes in a variety of dry kibble shapes, textures, flavors, and sizes.
Recommended Reading: Homemade Dog Food For Kidney Failure
The Pros And Cons Of Wet Food
While it may leave your wallet a little lighter, wet food can be largely beneficial for your pooch.
Dogs often don’t drink enough water. Supplementing wet food into their diet can provide them with some much needed hydration to not only prevent dehydration but also the development of many urinary conditions such as struvite crystals or kidney stones.
Urinary crystals often form when magnesium bonds with ammonium waste in highly concentrated urine. If your pooch stays hydrated, this will lower the concentration of the urine and helps to ‘flush out’ their system, reducing the likelihood of crystal formation.
Breeds susceptible to urinary related conditions include:
- Miniature Schnauzers
- Irish, Scottish and Yorkshire Terriers
- Cocker Spaniels
- Newfoundlands
- Irish Setters
Older dogs tend to have trouble when it comes to meal times. As they age, dogs can often have a decreased appetite due to loss of taste and smell sensory receptors. However the stronger aroma of wet food compared to dry may increase their desire to eat.
Dental disease and jaw misalignment or deformities can cause difficulties in chewing kibble. Canned food is easier for older dogs to digest, their bodies are able to absorb essential nutrients and it provides comfortable bowel movements.
Wet food is definitely an asset to your dog’s diet but be wary of excess weight gain if feeding solely tinned food. Using a light alternative like Hill’s Perfect Weight wet food can help with calorie reduction.
They Are What They Eat
Good health and longevity begin with good nutrition. The educated dog owner strives to feed the best and most beneficial food that their budget allows. Even the choice of canned food versus dry is a big one, thanks to a wide variety of formulations, price points and health claims with strong proponents on either side. As always, your veterinarian should be the last word on your dogs nutritional needs.
But for how canned and dry foods compare, heres the scoop:
Also Check: Where To Buy Royal Canin Gastrointestinal Low Fat Dog Food
What Is The Best Type Of Food For Dogs
When searching for the best food for the dog, the first step is to analyze and understand its composition.
Some manufacturers marketing strategies do not always match the actual state or food quality, so the close look at the composition should verify all ingredients listed on the packaging.
The best food for dogs should have as much meat as possible without flavor enhancers or worthless ingredients, including grains.
It is also crucial that the food has balanced fruits and vegetables, which provide all the required vitamins and microelements.
According to studies made by dog nutritionists and veterinarians, ten factors below define a high-quality dog food.
- Food formula does not include suspicious or controversial ingredients.
- The complete list of ingredients is transparent, without any unknown or hidden.
- Food does not contain low-quality ingredients from unknown sources or any generic animal fats.
- No preservatives should be included in high-quality dog food.
- Food formula does not include artificial flavors or dyes.
- The fat to protein ratio should be within 60-80% .
- Food composition has a high protein portion selected from a high-quality source.
- Food has a low level of carbohydrates and does not include grains.
- Meets all AAFCO requirements.
- The label consists of all information about the food production location and a precise list of all ingredients.
Giving Your Dog The Best Mix
There is no right or wrong when it comes to feeding your dog. What is important is making sure the pet food you choose provides your dog with the right amount of nutrients to meet their needs. At Eukanuba, our super premium dry and wet formulas are all complete and balanced. As wet and dry diets have various individual benefits, mixed feeding can be a solution to satisfy your dog’s needs and also their taste buds.
Read Also: Iams Veterinary Formula Intestinal Plus Puppy
The Benefits Of A Wet Food Diet
Kibble is by far the most common type of food fed to companion dogs. Its cheap and you can purchase a large quantity at once.
And as long as you pick a high-quality dog food, just about any type of food can be a healthy choice for your dog. But how does canned dog food compare to dry dog food?
Considering dry foods popularity, you may be surprised to find out that wet food, on average, may actually be better for your dog. One big reason for this has to do with how canned food is processed and packaged.
Because of the way dry dog food is processed, some amount of plant starch must be used in the recipe. Because dogs have no nutritional need for carbohydrates, these added ingredients often take up space that could be used by more nutritious ingredients.
Wet diets, on the other hand, dont require any starch or plant ingredients for processing. Some very high-quality canned foods contain only meat ingredients and added vitamins and minerals.
Rendered meats and meat meals are also key ingredients in most dry dog foods because they lend themselves well to the kibble processing method. While these meat meals can be nutrient-dense, they are nowhere near as fresh as the meats you would choose to feed your dog yourself if you could.
Canned foods often contain fresher meats that havent been rendered. These ingredients are closer to their natural state and are more recognizable to your dogs system.
Wet Food Provides Comfort During Dental Pain
We often think of dental problems as striking elderly dogs, but the truth is, periodontal disease strikes 85% of dogs by the time they turn 5 years old. During treatment and recovery, a switch to a softer canned diet helps afflicted dogs eat in comfort. Meanwhile, discover more about the prevention and treatment of canine dental problems.
Don’t Miss: Iams Low Residue Dog Food Recall
Can I Feed My Dog 3 Times A Day
Most experts recommend feeding your dog twice a day once in the morning and once in the evening though puppies under five months of age should be fed three to four times a day, or as directed by your veterinarian. If he picks at his food throughout the day, you may not notice right away if hes not eating well.
Purina One True Instinct Canned
Most Affordable
Relies on synthetic vitamins
Unspecified liver source
Have you been trying to find the best wet dog food brands to buy on a budget? Our final choice of the best soft dog food is by far the most affordable on our list.
Purinas True Instinct Chicken and Duck Recipe is an all-meat canned diet at a bargain price. This food contains only real meat ingredients like chicken, pork lungs, and duck and added vitamins and minerals.
All that meat means this food has a ton of protein, 41% to be exact. This food also has a high fat percentage at 36%.
If you have a high-energy dog or a working breed, this food is perfect for them.
Of course, at such a low price, there are some down-sides to this diet. Most notably, it contains carrageenan.
It also lists liver from unknown origin as the fourth ingredient. But, given the price point and lack of added starch, this food is still a good choice for those owners who need to feed a large breed dog only wet food or those owners trying to stick to a tight budget.
Don’t Miss: Who Makes Dr Pol Dog Food
Get Recommendations To Discuss With Your Vet
Talk to your family and friends who have dogs. Get a sense of the brands theyve used or liked, and take a look at their pet. Does their dog have a great haircoat? Is he active and energetic?
Also look at online reviews. Remember that there is no brand of food that is best for all dogs, but this step will help to narrow your choice. Then you can take a list of brands to your veterinarian to get their feedback.
Pros Of Dry Food For Puppy
- Dry food is hard and crunchy. That means it is better for your dogs teeth. It doesnt stick in their teeth as much as wet food, and the crunching can help scrape tartar off of their teeth.
- You have a lot more choices with dry dog food than with wet. Its a more popular option, which means that more companies make it, and they make more different varieties to suit dogs of every age, size and activity level. When you are deciding about wet or dry dog food for puppy, think about what they will eat as an adult too.
- If your dog prefers to free feed and nibble at their food throughout the day, you dont have to worry about dry food spoiling. It can be left out in their dog bowl without going bad.
- Dry puppy food is easier to store in general. It can go into a large container or bin, or it can stay in the bag in a press. Room temperature is grand. As long as it is kept dry, it will stay good.
Read Also: Who Makes Dr Pol Dog Food
How Was Dog Food Invented
The direction of feeding dogs has changed over the Centuries. In the past, domestic animals used to be fed with all leftovers from peoples meals. Hence, the diet of an average dog was similar to the diet of its owner.
This way of feeding dogs was widespread until 1860 when James Spratt developed exceptional dog food made of wheat, vegetables, and meat.
Spratt launched dogs biscuit production in London around 1860, but the real development of the proper pets nutrition happened at the beginning of the 20th century.
From this moment, various food-related products lie simple types of cookies that started to appear on the market.
After that, a special type of bread was introduced, and finally, dry and wet food for dogs. Later in the 60s of the last century, separate food for puppies become available for all owners of young dogs.
Within the last decades, knowledge about what our pets should eat has increased significantly. Today manufacturers offer a wide range of different types of wet or dry dog food, which have various ingredients composition, quality, and, of course, a different price.
Why Is My Dog Always Hungry
Too many treats or too much food at meal time can lead to obesity and a host of other health problems. While many dogs are simply food motivated, an increased appetite can also be a sign of several health issues. Some of the health issues that may lead to insatiable appetite, or polyphagia, include: diabetes.
You May Like: Is Iams Dog Food Any Good
How To Make Healthy Homemade Dog Food With Beef
Did you know that many brands of commercially-prepared dog food are filled with gross additives, highly-processed ingredients, and unspecified meat byproducts? If youre like us, just reading that gives you chills.
Because of this, many dog owners have turned to homemade dog food. After all, you want the best for your dogand that includes providing healthy, nutrient-packed meals throughout the day. Going the DIY route ensures you know exactly what your pup is eating.
Beef, in particular, is a fantastic ingredient to include in your homemade dog food. Not only is it high in protein, its full of important vitamins and minerals, including iron, zinc, and selenium. Add in some carrots and sweet potatoes for beta-carotene and fiber, and youll have a delicious dinner your pup will love.
Note: The recipe below is also grain-free, which some pet owners find is easier on their dogs sensitive tummy. While most healthy dogs can tolerate grains, keep an eye on adverse reactions to foodlike excessive gas, itching, or vomitingand talk to your vet if you suspect an allergy.