Purina Pro Plan Focus Dog Food
Rating:
Pro Plan Large Breed Adult is one of 19 kibbles featured in our review of the Purina Pro Plan Focus product line.
- First 5 ingredients: Chicken, brewers rice, whole grain wheat, corn gluten meal, whole grain corn
- Type: Grain-inclusive
- Other recipes: Puppy, small breed, sensitive skin and stomach, senior, weight management and more
Focus Large Breed Adult derives the majority of its animal protein from fresh chicken. Our dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 30% protein, 14% fat and 49% estimated carbs creating a fat-to-protein ratio of about 46%.
Pro Plan is one of the dog food brands most frequently mentioned by breeders and veterinary professionals.
Each recipe has been expertly formulated by a team of board certified veterinary nutritionists.
In addition, the entire Pro Plan product line is designed and manufactured according to rigorous guidelines recommended by the World Small Animal Veterinary Association.
Purina Pro Plan is one of the very best brands youll find on this or any list. And its easy on the budget, too. Highly recommended.
Actual buyer reviewMy black lab loves this food. Her coat is beautiful, her energy is high, and she digests it easily. My vet recommended this food and I couldnt be happier. I saw a noticeable difference within days of feeding this to her. My dog eats the dry food with a little bit of the PPP wet focus for large breeds. Do not hesitate to feed this to your pups.. its a game-changer!
Nutro Ultra Dry Dog Food
Rating:
Nutro Ultra Adult is one of 9 dry recipes included in our review of the Nutro Ultra product line.
- First 5 ingredients: Chicken, chicken meal, whole grain sorghum, whole grain barley, whole grain oats
- Type: Grain-inclusive
- Other recipes: Beef, duck, lamb, fish, small breed, large breed, puppy, senior and more
This Nutro formula derives most of its meat protein from chicken and chicken meal. Our dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 24% protein, 15% fat and 53% estimated carbs which creates a fat-to-protein ratio of about 63%.
Available in a wide range of flavor and recipe options. One of our top value picks.
Sample buyer reviewI have 5 dogsranging in different sizes and breeds. This is the ONE food I can get them all to eat without having to buy a bunch of different brands or formulas. Thank you Nutro!
This Go! Carnivore formula derives the majority of its animal protein from chicken, turkey and salmon meals, as well both chicken and turkey. Our dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 38% protein, 18% fat and 36% estimated carbs resulting in a fat-to-protein ratio of about 47%.
Free of GMO ingredients and loaded with meat. A rare find. Highly recommended.
Merrick Limited Ingredient Grain
Rating:
Merrick Limited Ingredient Diet is a grain-free kibble that can be helpful for dogs with food sensitivities or allergies.
- Only 9 key ingredients for easier digestion
- Contains fiber-rich sweet potato
Lil Plates is Merricks grain-free wet sub-brand designed especially for small dogs.
- Contains no corn, soy or grain
- Uses prebiotics and probiotics for healthy digestion
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Kibble Comparison Pt : Feed This Not That
Many pet owners shy away from alternative pet foods because they seem to be more expensive. But, as we’ve discussed before, just because a bag of kibble is more expensive than another bag, doesn’t mean that the food is more expensive overall.
Many pet owners shy away from alternative pet foods because they seem to be more expensive. But, as we’ve discussed before, just because a bag of kibble is more expensive than another bag, doesn’t mean that the food is more expensive overall.
To determine the true cost of a kibble, you have to break it down by serving size. Serving sizes for many commercial pet foods are higher than those for alternative pet foods because the nutrients in commercial foods are diluted by fillers and artificial ingredients. This is demonstrated in the image to the right where we’ve put an alternative pet food in one jar next to the same amount of servings of a commercially made food .
Judging which pet foods are within your budget and which are truly healthy can be a daunting task in today’s pet food market. So we’re putting together a series of posts to provide you with the facts on the nutrition information and actual price of popular alternative and regular grocery store kibbles.
Today, we’re starting with a comparison of Orijen adult kibble and two popular grocery store brands, Blue Buffalo and Hills Ideal Balance. Here’s why we suggest feeding Orijen over the other 2 brands:
Best Dry Dog Food For Seniors
Typically, you might consider a senior dog food around age 6 or 7 for a large breed, and around 10 or 12 for a small, says Richardson. The right food for a senior dog depends on the specific senior and how they’re doing, says Shepherd. If they’re maintaining a healthy weight and muscle tone, their stool is well-formed, and they’re enjoying their food, you may not even need to change their diet.
That said, there are lots of dog foods tailored specifically to the needs of older dogs who may have certain health issues. “Senior diets are formulated to target some of the common ailments of older pets, such as joint health, digestive health, immune health, and possibly others,” says Swanson.
Senior dog food is usually easier to digest and may be lower in calories since older dogs aren’t always as active. Food for senior dogs may be higher in protein to help maintain their muscle, fiber to help them stay regular, and extra antioxidants to limit oxidative stress and keep their immune system healthy. You may also see omega-3 fatty acids for cognitive performance because some senior dogs suffer from cognitive dysfunction, aka “doggy dementia.”
For older dogs, a bit of extra protein is a plus. As long as your dog doesn’t have any health conditions, look for a senior dog food that’s lower in fat and calories and has extra protein beyond the AAFCO minimum of 18%.
Our senior dog food picks are protein packed and have nutritional boosters that can support an older dog’s changing needs.
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Just Food For Dogs Fish & Sweet Potato
Just Food for Dogs is designed to be high in protein and low in calorie count, so it can be beneficial for dogs who may be overweight or dont get regular exercise, according to the brand. It offers a variety of meal options that are made up of locally sourced produce and only one source of protein for a limited ingredients diet.
This sweet potato and fish option provides a balanced diet for dogs with sensitive stomachs or those in need of a novel protein due to allergies, Just Food For Dogs says. The brand offers two types of food: Fresh Frozen, which has no preservatives and can be thawed and served, and Pantry Fresh, which is shelf-stable for up to two years and doesnt require refrigeration, according to the brand.
Is Instinct Considered A Healthy Dog Food
All Instinct recipes meet dog food nutrient profiles established by the Association of American Feed Control Officials . These standards are based on the Nutrient Requirements of Dogs and Cats published by the National Research Council of the National Academies of Science in Washington, D.C. Each Instinct recipe is complete and balanced for the canine life stage printed on the package.
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Recipe And Label Analysis
Instinct Original Grain Free with Real Chicken was selected to represent the other products in the line for detailed recipe and nutrient analysis.
Label and nutrient data below are calculated using dry matter basis.
Instinct Original Grain Free with Real Chicken
Dry Dog Food
Estimated Dry Matter Nutrient Content
Ingredients: Chicken, chicken meal, peas, chicken fat , tapioca, herring meal, menhaden fish meal, natural flavor, dried tomato pomace, salt, vitamins , carrots, apples, cranberries, minerals , potassium chloride, montmorillonite clay, taurine, choline chloride, freeze dried chicken, freeze dried chicken liver, pumpkinseeds, freeze dried chicken heart, dried Bacillus coagulans fermentation product, rosemary extract
Fiber = 2.8%
Red denotes controversial item
How Much Homemade Dog Food Do You Feed Your Dog
Even though the owners can make suggestions about the amount of food to feed their vet, still, for some, it is a difficult task. There is a basic rule about providing food quantity, which is 2-3 percent bodyweight of your dog of food for a 50pounds pet. Measure a ½-¾ cup of dog food for every 25 pounds of dogs weight from the measuring cup.
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Our Rating Of Instinct Dog Food
The Dog Food Advisor finds Instinct to be an exceptional grain-free dry kibble. The Original recipe uses an abundance of named meat meal as its primary source of animal protein thus earning the brand 5 stars. The Limited Ingredient formula gets 4.5 stars.
Enthusiastically recommended with confidence.
Is Instinct Dog Food Good For Older Dogs
Instinct Raw Boost Senior Grain-Free with Real Chicken is designed specifically for older dogs. Each recipe contains over 40% dry matter protein and about 18% fat. Calorie content is around 478 calories per cup. The recipe meets AAFCO nutrient profiles for all life stages which makes it a healthy option for senior dogs. For more choices, visit The Dog Food Advisors best senior dog foods here.
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Pet Parents Daily Spend On Pet Food
Pet food cost is an important factor and varies wildly within and between types of food. Because container sizes range from individual serving packs to 50lb bags of dry dog food, the best comparison is the cost per day based on manufacturer feeding guidelines.
Additional cost-related factors to consider are:
- Shipping and storage costs. Raw foods are usually frozen and can last several months properly stored. If you have to purchase an extra freezer to store the food, factor that into your comparison.
- Your time required to obtain the food. For example, if you purchase your food locally, consider the cost of gas or public transportation and the time required to purchase it and bring it home. A large bag of dry food may last you a couple of months and can be stored in a dry cabinet, whereas fresh foods have a shorter shelf life, requiring more frequent purchases. But if those purchases are online with delivery to your doorstep, the effort and time required are minimal.
Cost ranges for a 30 lb dog by food type.
What Is Dry Dog Food
A high-quality dry dog food should be a nutritional powerhouse for your dog, serving their complete nutritional needs while providing the right balance of protein, fiber and fat. A high-quality dry dog food starts with:
- High-quality animal protein sources, such as beef, chicken, turkey, lamb and fish.
- Grain is another common ingredient . While many brands use corn, look for whole-grain ingredients on the label, like brown rice, as well as cereals like oats and barley.
- Some include vegetables, fruits and perhaps beans and legumes.
These ingredients are mixed, cooked and shaped into bite-sized pellets known as kibble. The food also contains added vitamins, minerals and other supplements. For example, some brands include prebiotics and probiotics to enhance nutrient absorption and support gut health.
Chomp after chomp, the right crunchy kibble can meet all the dietary needs of your best friend.
Why do pet parents turn to dry dog food?
The right formulation of dry dog food offers many upsides to dogs and their pet parents.
- For decades, pet parents have turned to dry food for the convenience and good value packed in every bag.
- If your four-legged friend likes eating on their own schedule, kibble can stay put in the bowl for several hours without worry about bacteria growth and nutrient loss.
- Its an all-around simple, straightforward way to provide a safe, nutritious diet to your pet.
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Best Dog Food For Small And Large Breeds
Small breed dogs and large breed dogs have different nutritional needs. Large breed dogs are more prone to musculoskeletal problems than smaller breeds, and so they often require large-breed dog food with different balances of certain nutrients to promote musculoskeletal health, especially as puppies. Small breed dogs, on the other hand, can choke on large-sized kibble and have their own nutritional requirements that can be accommodated with a small-breed dog food. Research your dogs breed to find out if there are any additional nutritional requirements you should be aware of.
Dry Food Feeding Chart
Kibble portion sizes are usually clearly marked on the package. For quality kibble, fewer portions and smaller portion sizes are needed because your dog is getting more complete nutrition on less. This is good news because premium kibble can be a bigger investment than cheap kibble.
We recommend following your vets or each recipes feeding instructions. Dont forget to transition slowly when feeding your dog new food so that they wont get any digestive upsets.
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Some Cons Of The Kibble Diet
In addition to being beneficial, kibble has some disadvantages, which can be harmful to the dogs health and creates difficulties for owners.
- It has a high amount of carbohydrates which affects teeth.
- It can cause weight gain in some dogs.
- You cannot trust all brands.
- You need frequent recalls and many brands to sift.
- Ingredients in food can lead to bloat in dogs.
- Some brands use preservatives, fillers, by-products, additives, and binders.
Best Wet Dog Food For Adults
Some dogs really prefer the taste or texture of wet food, says veterinarian Jamie Richardson, chief of staff at Small Door Veterinary in New York City. Of course, pet parents want their dogs to enjoy their meals, so it makes sense that this is a popular choice.
Other pros of wet food are that it tends to have a longer shelf life before it’s opened, and according to Richardson, some wet foods may be less “processed” or contain fewer preservatives, which can make them easier to digest.
Luckily, the same nutritional standards apply to both dry and wet food. But comparing their labels isn’t exactly apples to apples because wet food has much more water content. So in order to understand how a wet food’s nutrition compares to a dry food, you need to look at the percentages of protein, fat, and fiber on a “dry matter basis.” Cummings Veterinary Medical Center at Tufts University has some handy instructions on how to calculate that yourself. Another option: Call the brand that makes the food or ask your veterinarian for help. For the foods we recommend in this guide, we contacted the manufacturer to get all the info.
Our picks for adult wet dog food:
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Pros And Cons Of Raw Food
Pros
- This can lead to nutrient deficiencies.
What is Homemade Dog Food?
Homemade dog food is food that you prepare at home with human ingredients. What you prepare is up to you, but it should be a balanced diet according to your dogs nutritional needs. You can include fruits and vegetables which are safe for dogs, meat, and rice-based food. It is mostly used when the owner does not have dog food available or if they are experienced enough to prepare a balanced diet for dogs.
Nutritional Content In Raw Dog Food Vs Kibble
While raw food is full of easily digestible nutrients, kibble has many vital nutrients destroyed in its processing, removing some of the goodness that dogs are able to absorb.
In terms of canine nutrition, raw dog food contains natural vitamins, minerals and amino acids. Kibble is processed at high temperatures, which results in the loss of these vital nutrients. The only option is to then add them back in, in synthetic form.
The enzymes that aid digestion in raw food are destroyed by the processing of kibble and cannot be replaced, as well as the natural proteins being denatured.
The bioavailability of raw dog food makes it more nutritionally dense than kibble, allowing dogs to absorb everything that they need in the ways that they would naturally eat if left to choose.
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Confused About What To Feed Your Dog Kibble And Cans Explained
In the eyes and hearts of pet parents, dogs are full-fledged members of the family. For that reason, they care more than ever about whats in that bag of dry dog food or in that tin of meat and gravy.
Without a doubt, your top priority is to provide a diet that will help your dog live their longest, happiest lives. While your holistic vet can and should help you determine which diet is best for your dogs needs, this explainer to cans and kibble will give you a better understanding of some of the choices youll find on the shelves of your favorite local pet supply retailer.
- Well start by explaining the differences between wet and dry dog food, along with some markers of quality.
- Then, well talk about the different formulas of dog food you may find and how they can help meet your dogs unique needs.
- Finally, we have answers to five questions on what to look for in a high-quality food for your dog.
Who Makes Instinct Dog Food
Instinct is owned by Natures Variety of Lincoln, Nebraska. All Instinct recipes are made at the companys own facilities in Lincoln.
Each Instinct dog food is formulated by the companys on-staff professionals. This includes a veterinarian who is board-certified in both veterinary nutrition and integrative medicine.
The companys chief scientific officer holds a PhD in food science. And one of its directors of research and development holds a masters degree in the same field.
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