Less Safe For Bigger Dogs
Choking is probably the biggest risk posed to dogs by dehydrated chicken necks. Big and medium-sized dogs will find it easier to bite of chunks which are a choking hazard. A bigger neck is a better option.
Chicken necks certainly have some great benefits, but there are also several downsides. Unfortunately there is a lot of conflicting evidence available about the safety of chicken necks, so its sometimes difficult to know how safe they really are.
Nutro Ultra Adult Dry Dog Food Review
Key Features
Nutro Ultra is a good option to consider for those wondering what is the best dry dog food that wont completely blow the budget.
While made with a lower protein content than the previous Orijen dry dog food, Nutro Ultra uses a range of protein, whole grains, seeds, fruit and vegetables to provide a nutritional and satisfying meal for your pets.
The number one ingredient used in Nutro Ultra is chicken, with other protein sources coming from lamb and salmon.
All other ingredients are of high quality and no chicken by-products, corn, soy, wheat, artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives are used.
Rather superfoods such as coconut, chia, kale, blueberries, and other quality ingredients are used to provide a healthy balanced meal to your pets.
Nutro have tailored kibble for seniors and large breeds if your dog is super active and if your vizsla is just a pup, they also have a puppy option see it here.
Pros
- Chicken is the top ingredient
- No poor quality fillers used
- Good range of options available
Cons
- Lower protein content than some others options in our review
- Rice is one of the main ingredients
The Nutro Ultra dry dog food is a premium kibble for adult dogs and a great option for pet owners who want to provide top dry dog foods for their vizsla.
What Do Others Say About Merrick
As of the time of this update
Chewy customers rate Merrick Grain-Free 4.6 out of 5 stars and 93% say they would recommend it to others.
Heres an actual user review
Sample buyer reviewIm one to constantly look for the best to feed my dogs. I believe in researching ingredients and paying attention to the order in which they are listed on the product itself. Im even ultra-particular when it comes to the water that they drink. All of this combined is leading to long lives for my two Corgis. I switched from another famous natural brand to Merrick chicken and sweet potato based on what I read from other people, the ingredient list and the history of the Merrick product. Theres no question that dogs, like people, do better with quality foods as opposed to foods lacking in certain proteins, vitamins and minerals. Merrick is a premium food of which, my dogs will benefit highly. I recommend this completely.
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Half The Calories Of A Typical Dental Chew
Chicken necks are much lower in calories than most dental chews which are between 70-100 kcal/treat. A similar-sized chicken neck is only around 40 kcal.
But remember, when you give your dog extra treats, always adjust his daily intake of his regular food.
If you are feeding your dog a raw diet, and chicken necks form part of it, you should still not be giving more than two chicken necks daily. They are not nutritionally balanced, and do not provide everything that your dog needs. Dogs are omnivores, and therefore need a balanced diet of both animal and plant food sources.
Is Merrick Dog Food Good
After reading about some of the options available for your pooch its understandable to want to know more about the company that makes the food and whether or not theyre reliable and trustworthy. Read on the find out more about the dog food brand including company history, recall history, and more.
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Is Freeze Dried Dog Food Worth It
There are a lot of factors to consider when choosing the best food for your dog, and the price is certainly one of them. If youre on a budget, you may be wondering if the freeze-dried dog food is worth the extra cost. So, what is freeze-dried dog food?
Freeze-dried dog food is made by taking fresh, raw ingredients and flash-freezing them. The frozen ingredients are then placed in a vacuum chamber where they undergo a process called sublimation, which removes the water molecules from the food without actually cooking it. This results in a concentrated form of nutrition that retains all of the benefits of raw ingredients.
One of the biggest advantages of freeze-dried dog food is that its incredibly convenient. It doesnt require any refrigeration or special storage conditions, so you can take it with you wherever you go.
Freeze-dried dog food also has a long shelf life up to two years which makes it perfect for stocking up or for traveling.
Another big benefit of freeze-dried dog food is that its highly digestible and packed with nutrients.
Because the water has been removed from the food, your dogs body can absorb more of the nutrients from each bite. This means that less food is needed to meet your Dogs daily nutritional requirements, which can save you money in the long run.
Additionally, because freeze-drying preserves all of the raw ingredients enzymes, and vitamins, your Dog gets all of the benefits associated with eating a raw diet without any of the risks .
How Much Glucosamine Does Your Dog Need
The only way to determine the ideal amount of glucosamine for your furry friend is by working with your veterinarian. The recommended dose depends greatly on your dogs condition and size, and different authorities recommend different dosages.
However, generally speaking, the approximate dose is somewhere around 15 milligrams of glucosamine per kilogram of body weight on a daily basis.
Just be sure to discuss the issue with your veterinarian to figure out the best dosage plan for your furry friend.
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Unsuitable For Some Dogs
So are there any special cases when you shouldnt feed your dog chicken necks? If your dog is overweight, it is worth considering a lower fat treat. This is also true if your dog has a condition which is triggered by fatty foods. The most common of which is pancreatitis, but also inflammatory bowel disease and exocrine pancreatic insufficiency can worsen with excess fat too.
Also, if your dog suffers from a chicken allergy, which is a common food allergy, chicken necks should be avoided. Allergens come from the protein component of the food, of which chicken necks contains plenty of.
Review Of Merrick Dog Food
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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Natures Diet Simply Raw Freeze
Image courtesy Chewy
Natures Diet Simply Raw Freeze-Dried Dog Food is an all-natural, grain-free food that is perfect for dogs with allergies or sensitivities.
This food is made with real meat and organs, as well as vegetables and fruits. It is then freeze-dried to preserve the nutrients and flavor. Natures Diet Simply Raw Freeze-Dried Dog Food is a complete and balanced meal that is easy to digest and full of flavor.
Stella And Chewys Freeze
Image courtesy Stella & Chewys
With Stella & Chewy’s Stella’s Super Beef Dinner Patties Freeze-Dried Raw Dog Food, you can give your dog what he wants. This all-natural recipe makes it simple to feed your finest friend only the high-quality ingredients he needs.
This recipe, which begins with 95% grass-fed beef, organs and bone, as well as 100% certified-organic fruits and vegetables, provides the advantages of raw food nutrition without the effort of freeze-drying.
Each batch is made with care in Stella & Chewy’s own U.S. kitchen to guarantee the best quality possible.
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Is Merrick Considered A Healthy Dog Food
All Merrick dog foods meet dog food nutrient guidelines published by the Association of American Feed Control Officials. Each recipe is considered complete and balanced for specific life stages according to nutrient standards posted by the National Research Council of the National Academies of Science in Washington, D.C.
The Simple Food Project Beef & Salmon Recipe
Image courtesy The Simple Food
The Simple Food Project Beef & Salmon Recipe is an all-natural, grain-free food that is perfect for dogs with allergies or sensitivities.
This food is made with real meat and organs, as well as vegetables and fruits. It is then freeze-dried to preserve the nutrients and flavor. The Simple Food Project Beef & Salmon Recipe is a complete and balanced meal that is easy to digest and full of flavor.
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Is The Best Freeze
There are a lot of factors to consider when choosing the best food for your dog. Kibble is the most common type of dog food, but there are also many freeze-dried options on the market. So, which is better?
There are pros and cons to both kibble and freeze-dried foods. Kibble is usually less expensive and easier to find, but it can be lower in nutrients. Freeze-dried food is more expensive but is often more nutrient-dense.
The best food for your dog depends on their individual needs. If you’re looking for a high-quality, nutrient-rich food, freeze-dried may be the better option. However, if you’re on a budget, kibble is a good choice.
While the price of freeze-dried dog food may intimidate you at first, be sure to read the instructions. Most freeze-dried dog food lasts much longer than kibble because you don’t have to feed your dog as much of this natural food option.
Orijen Acana Regionals Grasslands
Image courtesy Orijen
Orijen Acana Regionals Grasslands Dry Dog Food is a grain-free food that is made with 80% meat and 20% vegetables.
The first five ingredients are deboned chicken, chicken meal, peas, tapioca flour, and turkey meal. These provide your dog with the protein, fat, vitamins, and minerals they need to stay healthy and happy.
Orijen Acana Regionals Grasslands Dry Dog Food is made in the USA with no artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives.
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Merrick Lil Plates Grain
This Lil Plates recipe is designed especially for toy and small breed dogs. I think it is a good choice for active toy or small breed dogs, such as Yorkshire Terriers or Beagles. The high protein and fat contents make it unsuitable for inactive or typically active dogs.
The omega fatty acids are reasonably high so it will be suitable for long-coated dogs. It also contains high levels of glucosamine and chondroitin . So, for dogs already suffering from joint problems, this food can help relieve pain and repair cartilage damage.
Merrick also includes a strain of probiotic bacteria called Bacillus coagulans, which can help little dogs with digestive problems like diarrhea, as well as prevent conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome and ulcerative colitis.
Whats In Dry Dog Food
At Petco, we offer dry food in a variety of shapes, sizes and flavors. Many dry foods contain omega-3 fatty acids to help nourish the skin and coat, canine probiotics to help support digestive health and antioxidants to help support the immune system. Feeding a dog with special dietary needs or restrictions doesnt need to be challenging. Here are a few formulas that address common dietary needs:
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High-protein dry dog foodThe amount of protein your dog needs depends on a variety of factors. Very active dogs, specific breeds and dogs with certain conditions may benefit from the extra protein they can get from this type of diet.
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Limited ingredient and grain-free dry dog foodIf your pup has food sensitivities, ask your veterinarian if a limited ingredient diet is best for your pup.
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Senior dog foodAs dogs age, their dietary needs change. Specially formulated senior dog food can help meet these needs. Most breeds are considered senior from age 7+, consult your veterinarian on when your dog should start a senior diet.
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Weight management foodIf your veterinarian has recommended a low-fat diet for your overweight pup, we have foods that can help them feel full.
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Our Rating Of Merrick Dog Food
The Dog Food Advisor finds Merrick to be an above-average, grain-inclusive kibble. The Classic recipe appears to use a significant amount of named meat meal as its dominant source of animal protein thus earning the brand 5 stars. The grain-free dry recipes get 5 stars. Enthusiastically recommended.
Merrick Limited Ingredient Diet
The Merrick Limited Ingredient dog food lineup focuses on canines with food sensitivities and provides well-balanced nutrition with recipes of ten ingredients or less. The products come Grain-free or with Healthy Grains, so youâre sure to find the perfect formula for your pooch on the list of kibble and canned food options:
- Limited Ingredient Diet Grain Free â Real Chicken & Sweet Potato Recipe
- Limited Ingredient Diet Grain Free â Real Lamb & Sweet Potato Recipe
- Limited Ingredient Diet Grain Free â Real Salmon & Sweet Potato Recipe
- Limited Ingredient Diet Real Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe
- Limited Ingredient Diet Real Salmon & Brown Rice Recipe
- Grain Free Limited Ingredient Diet Real Beef Recipe
- Grain Free Limited Ingredient Diet Real Duck Recipe
- Grain Free Limited Ingredient Diet Real Lamb Recipe
- Grain Free Limited Ingredient Diet Real Turkey Recipe
- Limited Ingredient Diet Healthy Grains â Real Chicken Recipe
- Limited Ingredient Diet Healthy Grains â Real Turkey Recipe
While most Merrick Limited Ingredient dog food reviews are positive, you should consult the vet before choosing new food for your pup to avoid digestive issues and allergic reactions.
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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
Week Old Pitbull Puppy
If you have a 2 week old Pitbull puppy, your puppy will have opened his eyes and begun teetering around slightly. Puppies at this age do not get very far. At this age, the puppy will be completely reliant on his mothers milk.
The mother should never be too far from the puppies and she herself will also need a large amount of calories to make up for all of the milk that she is making and sharing with her puppies. If your Pitbull pup is looking small or even smaller than his littermates, talk to your vet about supplementing formula.
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Merrick Full Source Dog Food
Merrick Full Source recipes use the entire animal source of meat-based ingredients. This whole-prey approach is a sustainable method for producing a high-protein and nutrient-rich formula.
85-90% of the protein in Full Source dog foods comes from meat content. These sources also include cartilage and organ meats that act as concentrated sources of amino acids, vitamins, minerals, and healthy fats.
Grain-free Full Source recipes use sweet potatoes as an alternative source of digestible carbohydrates, And Full Source Healthy Grains options contain oatmeal, quinoa, and brown rice for extra fiber.
Like Merricks Backcountry range, this product line also features freeze-dried raw-coated kibble. This addition combines the benefits of raw infused meat with the safety of a commercially available recipe.
Your dogs ancestors ate the entire body of their prey to consume natural sources of concentrated vitamins and minerals. These formulas need less fortification thanks to the comprehensive nutrient content of full source animal protein.
This product line is available exclusively at Pet Supplies Plus, Petco, and independent retailers.
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Merrick Backcountry Dry Food
About: While the vast majority of dogs digest cooked grains without issue, a handful of puppers do need a grain-free option. If your dog falls into this camp, you may want to try this freeze-dried-and-kibble food from Merrick.
A high-protein food comprised of traditional kibble and freeze-dried meat bits, this food is certain to tempt your doggos palate, and it features glucosamine and chondroitin to help ease your pups joint issues.
Features:
- Really picky dogs may only eat the freeze-dried bits and ignore the kibble
- This food is relatively expensive
- Grain-free foods have been correlated with dilated cardiomyopathy
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What Nutrients Does A Pitbull Puppy Need
Protein is an essential nutrient for pitbulls. When buying dog food, make sure that the food is made up of at least 22% protein. The amount of protein needed does go down when they reach adulthood, but it is still important to their diet.
You should avoid a high-grain diet for your puppy, because it can cause obesity in some dogs. Even though pitbulls are not as tall as other breeds, they would do best with large breed puppy food that is packed with the nutrients they need.
Alternatives To Chicken Necks
Like the sound of chicken necks, but not quite sold on them? Why not try out one of these alternatives?
- Turkey necks: Turkey necks are basically the same as chicken necks, with all the same benefits, except they are much bigger. As a result, they encourage your dog to chew on them for longer, and if your dog is big enough to swallow a chicken neck whole, hell have to think twice about doing so with a turkey neck.
- Chicken feet: Chicken feet have similar benefits to chicken necks, however the bones are much smaller and crumble more easily, rather than scratch the throat or get stuck. They are excellent for dogs with joint issues, due to the high levels of glucosamine and chondroitin.
- Bully sticks: If youre looking for something to improve your dogs dental health by chewing, its worth trying a bully stick. They are natural treats which will distract your dog with plenty of chewing time. The downside is that they are high in calories and therefore should only be an occasional treat.
- Sprats: Sprats are tiny dried fish from the ocean, which are high in omega oils. Like glucosamine and chondroitin, omega oils also aid in the maintenance of healthy joints, as well as decrease inflammation in sore joints.
- Antlers: Antlers provide an excellent alternative if your dog is overweight and needs a low calorie, low fat option. Since antlers are gnawed on and not ingested, they help provide abrasion to the surfaces of the teeth without ruining your dogs diet.
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