Essential Tips To Choose The Right Food For A New Puppy
So, your new pup will be here any day, and you are so excited to bring home that little bundle of joy. However, like any new parent, you are concerned that you wont know what to do when that happy day finally arrives. Rest assured, there is plenty of information to help you learn what to expect and how to care for dogs of all breeds. Of all the things you should learn, perhaps knowing what to feed your puppy is most important today and throughout his life.
Here are a few essential tips to help you feed your puppy by choosing the right food for your dogs breed and the various stages throughout his life.
Merrick Classic Healthy Grains Dry
Rating:
Real Beef and Brown Rice is one of five recipes included in our review of the Merrick Classic dry product line.
- First 5 ingredients: Deboned beef, pork meal, brown rice, barley, oatmeal
- Type: Grain-inclusive
- Price: $$
Merrick Classic Healthy Grains derives the bulk of its animal protein from fresh deboned beef and pork meal. Dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 29% protein, 17% fat and 46% estimated carbs resulting in a fat-to-protein ratio of about 58%.
This fully balanced formula contains zinc amino acid complex and 4 other chelated minerals, superior nutritional supplements typically found in higher quality dog foods. Reasonably priced. Highly recommended.
Sample buyer reviewAfter adopting animals that had been dropped off at my property I thought it was easy to buy cheap dogfood to keep them all nourished. Bad deal! I was contributing to poor health and obesity. I switched over to Merrick and within weeks noticed a change in weight and energy in all my pets.
Selecting The Best Human
Just like how humans are all a little different, your dog may have unique nutritional needs based on their breed, activity level, weight, and other factors. Some dogs might need to lose a few pounds, others may need a special heart-healthy diet, and others may just be extra picky! Whatever the case may be, Pet Plate can help.
We take quality control and nutritional expertise very seriously, and every batch of food we make is flash-frozen to lock in the freshness. Plus, its formulated by our very own veterinary nutritionist, so you know youre serving the best of the best to your pup.
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Super Foods For You And Your Dog
What makes a super food for dogs? Edibles that deliver the maximum amount of nutrients with minimum calories. Humans and dogs can share several common foods that are nutritionally dense, and pack a lot of healthful benefits into a serving.
These super foods help people and their pets fight disease, boost energy and maintain good health in general. They make great additions to your dogs dietwhether you feed packaged dog food or home cook mealsconsider adding the nutritionally-packed components to compliment your dogs eating regime.
Be sure to introduce these foods gradually and with the proper proportions, and check with your veterinarian if your dog has any dietary or health concerns.
Kale
Kale is a supercharged leafy vegetable that contains an abundant amount of vitamins, including A, E, and C. It is a good source of antioxidants and helps the liver detoxify the body. It also has anti-inflammatory properties. Avoid in pets with certain types of bladder stones or kidney disease.
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Carrots
A great dog snack crunchy, naturally sweet and most dogs really like them. Carrots are loaded with carotenoids, fiber, vitamin C and K , as well as potassium. They have magnesium, manganese, most of the B vitamins and phosphorus, which is required for energy production, among other things.
Pumpkin
Sweet Potatoes
Fish
Seaweed/Nori
Chia
Quinoa
Yogurt
Blueberries
Safe Foods for Dogs
What Are The Life Stages Of Feeding My Dog
Great question. So there’s puppy, there’s adult, and there are senior stages, and it is really important when your animal fits into one of those life stages that you feed according to that stage, just because the nutrients like carbohydrates and protein vary significantly between those three stages.
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How Can I Feed My Dog The Healthiest Food For Them
It’s important to work with your veterinarian to figure out how many calories your dog should have. And then you should also choose a good diet. We need to make sure that we choose a complete diet for your dog since that is the only source of nutrition they get day in and day out. So some of the diets that I like the best would be Royal Canin, Purina, and Hill’s.
Best Wet: Hills Science Diet
Given the brands name, its no surprise that Hills Science Diet puts science at the heart of their products. They also rely on expert input: Hundreds of veterinarians and pet nutritionists are involved in the food development process, according to Hills.
Hills Science Diet offers wet food options based on the dogs size and age, and also offers options for dogs that need help with weight management, have limited mobility, and other lifestyle factors and health conditions.
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What About Home Cooking For Puppies
Home cooking for puppies is extremely difficult. Most dog food recipes that you can find online or in books do not provide complete and balanced nutrition. While poor nutrition is dangerous for adult dogs, it can be downright catastrophic for puppies. Pet parents who want to prepare their puppys food at home should only do so under the guidance of a veterinary nutritionist.
Human Food Safety For Dogs
Almonds:No, dogs shouldnt eat almonds. Almonds may not necessarily be toxic to dogs like macadamia nuts are, but they can block the esophagus or even tear the windpipe if not chewed completely. Salted almonds are especially dangerous because they can increase water retention, which is potentially fatal to dogs prone to heart disease.
Bread: Yes, dogs can eat bread. Small amounts of plain bread wont hurt your dog, but it also wont provide any health benefits either. It has no nutritional value and can really pack on the carbohydrates and calories, just like in people. Homemade breads are a better option than store-bought, as bread from the grocery store typically contains unnecessary preservatives, but its best to avoid it altogether.
Cashews: Yes, dogs can eat cashews. Cashews are OK for dogs, but only a few at a time. Theyve got calcium, magnesium, antioxidants, and proteins, but while these nuts contain less fat than others, too many can lead to weight gain and other fat-related conditions. A few cashews make a nice treat, but only if theyre unsalted.
Cheese: Yes, dogs can eat cheese in small to moderate quantities. As long as your dog isnt lactose intolerant, which is rare, but still possible in canines, cheese can be a great treat. Many kinds of cheese can be high in fat, so go for lower-fat varieties like cottage cheese or mozzarella. Many dogs enjoy their very own dog-specific Himalayan dog chew made of dried cheese .
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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.
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How Much Food Should You Make At Once
You don’t need to make your dog’s meal and then immediately feed it. You can make up a batch of food and store it in the refrigerator for 3 days.
So once you know how much food your dog needs each day, multiply that by 3 days and make up a batch of that amount.
For example, if your 50-pound dog eats 1.5 lbs daily, make up a batch of 4.5 lbs, which will serve him for 3 days . All you need to do is take it out of the fridge, scoop a meal’s worth into his feeding bowl, and warm it up by floating the bowl in a larger bowl of very hot water. It will quickly warm up to room temperature. Dogs digest food best at room temperature.
For even more convenience, make up a week’s worth or 2 weeks worth. Store 3 days worth in the fridge, and freeze the rest. But don’t freeze it in one huge chunk instead, separate it into 3-day quantities in individual freezer bags, so it will be convenient to thaw.
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Nutro Max Adult Recipe With Farm
Top Ingredients: 1. Chicken Meal, 2. Whole Grain Sorghum, 3. Brewers Rice, 4. Whole Grain Oatmeal, 5. Chicken Fat
- No corn, wheat, or soy protein
- Supreme-quality chicken protein delivers amino acids that help with muscle building and maintenance of a healthy metabolism
This holistic blend by Nutros Max boasts an excellent blend of high-quality natural ingredients that serve as a great source of optimal nutrition for your dog. The farm-raised chicken ensures your dog is served the recommended level of protein he needs for growth and maintenance. Rich in fiber and probiotics, the formula is easy to digest by your precious pooch.
Unpacking The Dry Vs Wet Food Debate
While most of the mass-marketed dog food products are dry like kibble, we are firm believers in serving your dogs food with some degree of moisture.
Even if it means adding a little bit of water, sweet potatoes, or a small amount of coconut oil to the bowl, dogs tend to use their digestive systems better and absorb more nutrients when their food isnt dry as a bone .
We recognize that there are convenience and cost factors to buying dry dog food in bulk and keeping it in a cool place for easy access, but if you can swing it, try to find something fresher.
Unfortunately, shelf-stable wet food presents new problems and headaches for owners too, even if it is better for their dog’s digestive system.
For one, cans and tins are a hassle to deal with. We can barely organize our pantry, and adding dog food to the situation can feel like a new roommate just moved into the house.
Secondly, most of the wet dog food in the grocery store does not pack a whole lot more nutrition than bagged dry food.Sure, it may be marginally healthier and more enjoyable for the pup, but is it worth the extra cost, storage, and work required?
We noticed that many dog owners missed out on opportunities to up the level of quality for their pets, which is why we founded Ollie and changed the whole game.
Our fresh recipes are designed with your dogs needs and exact specifications in mind, taking into account his/her age, breed, level of activity, allergies, and more.
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Basic Dog Feeding Guide
The following information is general advice, but as each dog is an individual, seek veterinary advice, particularly if your dog has any special dietary needs or has a reaction to a standard diet.
The basis of your dogs diet should be a high quality balanced premium commercial dog food that is appropriate for their life stage and health status. By reading the label, you can check that it complies with the Australian Standard for the Manufacturing and Marketing of Pet Food AS5812:2017 .
You can also offer some natural foods to provide variety. Natural foods include fresh human-grade raw meat , raw meaty bones and finely-cut vegetables. You should check with your vet first that raw meaty bones are suitable for your particular dog .
We recommend you choose only human-grade raw meat and raw meaty bones because some raw meat products marketed as pet food contain preservatives to keep them looking fresh, but these can be detrimental to the dogs health. There have been many pet food safety incidents linked to sulphite preservative-induced thiamine deficiency, which can be fatal. You should avoid sausages, sausage meat and cooked manufactured meats as they can also contain sulphite preservatives.
The amount of food required will depend on your dogs size, breed, age and level of exercise, but take care not to overfeed or underfeed. Your vet will be able to weigh your dog, assess your dogs body condition score and provide advice.
Peanuts And Peanut Butter
Sometimes, your furry friend needs extra protein. This is where peanuts and peanut butter come in handy. Both are not only loaded with protein, but are also great sources of vitamin B and E
With raw, unsalted peanut butter, your dog can have access to healthy fats and niacin on top of other healthy nutrients. Feed your furry pal small to moderate portions of peanuts and peanut butter to manage their intake of fat.
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Can My Puppy Easily Chew Dry Dog Food
Most puppies can easily chew small-sized dry dog food. However, some young ones may find it difficult and require you to soften the dog food before eating. To soften, add a few tablespoons of warm water in the bowl and set aside for a few minutes to allow the food to soften. If your dog is not allergic to chicken or beef, you can also add warm broth for softening the food for your precious pups.
What Should I Look For In A Dog Food
The best advice you can receive about feeding your dog is this: feed your dog the highest-quality food you can afford. The differences between a premium food and budget food are not found on the nutrition label they are found in the quality and source of ingredients. Two dog foods may each contain 27% protein but be vastly different when it comes to digestibility.
Pet food ingredients are listed by order of weight. Each ingredient is weighed when it is added to the batch of food, and ingredients such as fresh meat contain a lot of water, much of which is lost during processing. This means that a dry diet that lists corn as the first ingredient may be nutritionally superior to one listing meat first.
“Feed your dog the highest-quality food you can afford.”
To further complicate matters, some nutrients are listed as a “minimum” percentage, while others are listed as a “maximum” percentage, meaning that the batch of food may contain a higher or lower percentage of the ingredient than shown on the label.
The best method to choose a food for your dog is to ask your veterinarian. However, here are some general tips to help you decide what should go into your dog’s food bowl:
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Beware Those Little Odds And Ends
You should be aware from the start that you should keep fresh water available to your pup all day, every day. While potty training is a concern, dont withhold water. Instead, invest in some good-quality puppy pads and work a little more on potty training your new fur baby.
Dont worry if your puppy skips an occasional meal or nibbles a little bit. This is normal, so dont be alarmed. If the pattern continues, its time to consult your puppys veterinarian. It could be that you are not reducing his food amounts after giving training treats.
There are so many things that can cause a puppy to eat a bit less, so until you see an ongoing pattern, there is no cause for concern.
How To Choose The Best Dry Dog Food
When it comes to dry dog food, the ingredients are the most important thing to consider because they determine the quality of the product.
If the list of ingredients is a mile long and contains numerous by-products, unnamed ingredients, chemicals, and artificial additives, then it is a safe bet that it isnt a high-quality product for your dog.
Protein is the most important nutrient for dogs, so thats where you should start your search.
Look for a recipe that lists a quality animal protein like meat, poultry, or fish as the main ingredient.
Plant-based proteins can be used to boost the total nutrient content, but they are less biologically valuable for your dog and thus should only be used supplementally.
The next most important nutrient is fat, a highly concentrated source of calories for your dog. Again, these should come from animal sources like chicken fat and salmon oil for optimal absorption.
In addition to calories, fats provide essential fatty acids for your dogs healthy skin and coat. Healthy fats also play a role in brain development for puppies.
Dogs dont have specific needs for carbohydrates, but any recipe you choose should contain digestible options like whole grains, starchy vegetables, and legumes.
These foods provide energy, dietary fiber, and essential nutrients. Look for a recipe that contains no more than 5% crude fiber because anything higher could upset your dogs digestive system.
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