When People Find Out We Make Our Own Dog Food At Home They Always Ask Us What About A Raw Diet So Lets Get That Out Of The Way First
There are LOTS of thoughts and theories on feeding your dog a raw diet especially a dog that is living with kidney disease. Our vet however, was personally opposed to feeding a raw diet due to the fact that dogs, just like us, are very susceptible to food poisoning. Besides that, a raw diet can be tricky to get just right! You run the risk of giving your dog a horrible belly ache by mixing a raw diet with cooked treats, so if you decided to go raw it is important to have both raw meals and raw treats planned for your pup at all times. NO MIXING the two! Since raw and cooked foods digest at different rates any combination of the two can wreak serious havoc on your pups gut which can lead to some pretty unpleasant situations for you if you get my drift.
The Worst Dry Dog Foods
While most owners don’t realize it, bad dry dog food can make dogs sick and unhealthy over time. Cheap ingredients are used to make dog food more affordable.
Unfortunately, the inclusion of many unhealthy ingredients can lead to obesity, cancer, and much more.
Some ingredients are used as filler to replace natural proteins. They add empty calories without much nutritional content.
Other ingredients come from questionable sources and contain harmful additives or chemicals.
Eagle Pack Dry Dog Food
Rating:
Eagle Pack Power Adult is one of 7 dry kibble recipes included in our review of the Eagle Pack product line.
- First 5 ingredients: Chicken meal, pork meal, ground brown rice, peas, chicken fat
- Type: Grain-inclusive
- Other recipes: Puppy, small breed, large and giant breed, lamb, pork and more
- Price: $
- See all 7 available recipes
This Eagle Pack recipe derives the bulk of its meat protein from chicken and pork meals. Our dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 33% protein, 21% fat and 38% estimated carbs yielding a fat-to-protein ratio of about 63%.
A superior kibble at an affordable price. Made by the same trusted company that also produces Wellness. Exceptional value. Highly recommended.
Sample buyer reviewShe seems to be shedding much less on Eagle Pack, and her coat condition is much better than it was. She has always been prone to itches and allergies, and she is no longer scratching herself all the time and gnawing the hair off of her paws. Im happy that this is a food that agrees with her. I wonder why I hadnt heard of Eagle Pack earlier, as I feel that it is a great food at a much more affordable price than other popular high-quality brands.
This Wellness Core formula derives the bulk of its animal protein from fresh turkey, as well as turkey and chicken meals. Our dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 38% protein, 18% fat and 36% estimated carbs producing a fat-to-protein ratio of about 47%.
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Canidae Pure Elements With Lamb Limited Ingredient Diet
Best Food for Akitas with Allergies: If your Akita suffers from food allergies, a limited ingredient diet may be the way to go. These products are made with a limited number of main ingredients to reduce the risk for triggering food allergies and sensitivities. This Canidae PURE Elements with Lamb Limited Ingredient Diet is an excellent example because it contains just 10 main ingredients, the first being fresh lamb.
In addition to containing several high-quality sources of animal protein, this recipe is grain-free and highly digestible. It features sweet potatoes and chickpeas as the carbohydrates with chicken fat as a nutritious source of essential fatty acids. In addition to natural flavors, this recipe also contains vitamin supplements, chelated minerals, and probiotics.
Pros: Rich in high-quality animal protein, grain-free digestible carbohydrates, only 10 main ingredients, rich in healthy fats, chelated minerals, probiotic supplements
Cons: Some dogs are sensitive to chicken ingredients, somewhat expensive, not large-breed specific
Whats The #1 Cause Of Food
Although it contributes to health issues in dogs of all ages
Obesity is the #1 cause of chronic disease and premature death in seniors.
Extra weight means your dogs joints have to work harder and they may already be inflamed from arthritis, hip dysplasia or a luxated knee cap.
Unfortunately, dogs are naturally more prone to obesity as they age. According to the National Research Council of the National Academy of Science3
Because of decreased physical activity and slowed metabolism, older dogs need 20% fewer total calories than do middle-aged adult dogs.
So, a low calorie food can help your dog lose or maintain her weight without feeling hungry all the time.
Also Check: Where To Buy Pedigree Dog Food
What To Look For When Choosing Dog Food
There are a number of factors to consider when comparing dog food brands and trying to choose the right diet for your pooch. Here are some things to keep in mind:
Nutrients: Unlike cats, dogs are not strictly carnivores, which means they can benefit from a range of high-quality ingredients, like grains, fruits, and vegetables, in addition to protein. These ingredients can also be excellent sources of minerals, vitamins, and fiber.
Dog food brand: The Canine Nutrition Expert Subcommittee of the Association of American Feed Control Officials has established minimal nutritional requirements for dogs. When making their products, dog food manufacturers are expected to adhere to these requirements.
The AAFCO-approved nutritional guarantee on a dog food label will indicate that a product meets their requirements and is considered nutritionally complete and balanced.
Recipe and preference: As a dog owner, you may have a preference about feeding your dog fresh food vs. kibble, or even decide that you want to try a raw food diet. Your dog, on the other hand, may prefer a certain flavor like venison or beef but not like others, such as salmon.
Similarly, you may decide to feed your dog exclusively kibble, solely wet food, or a mix of both. Wet dog food can be helpful for senior dogs that have tooth sensitivities.
These are all considerations youll have to make as you compare dog food brands.
Ol Roy Complete Nutrition Roasted Chicken & Rice
Ol Roys is a Walmart brand that has been in production since 1981. This specific recipe from the brand is crafted for adult canines of all sizes with essential nutrients to provide a balanced diet.
Its billed as an inexpensive pet food due to lack of advertising and promotion, but if you look closely at the ingredients, youll see another reason why.
Well list the first six ingredients here: Ground Whole Grain Corn, Meat and Bone Meal, Soybean Meal, Rice Bran, Animal Fat , and Poultry By-Product Meal. And most of these are problematic.
We dont have anything against corn. Grains are okay too. In fact, these are healthy ingredients to have in dog food. But within reasonable quantities and never as the most significant part of a diet. In this recipe, the corn and grains make up the most volume and overwhelm the meat.
Second thing, the meats are all unspecified. Theyre labelled as meat and bone meal and poultry byproduct meal. The labels dont indicate exactly what animal the meat comes from and which parts were used.
Lastly, the food contains artificial colors and artificial preservatives .
Recall Info: There has been no recall yet for this formulation, although the Ol Roy brand has been involved in several recalls since 1998. The most recent one was in 2018 where samples of its Gravy Train line were found to contain traces of sodium pentobarbital.
Read Also: Where To Buy Royal Canin Gastrointestinal Low Fat Dog Food
Did You Make This Recipe
Tag on Instagram and hashtag it #thismessisours
Home Made Dog Food recipe for the Holidays
This 100% human grade home made dog food recipe utilizes some of the best fall produce for your dog like sweet potatoes, cranberries, rosemary, and sage. Its perfect for every day feedings and does double duty as a really delicious holiday meal for your dog!
Pumpkin and Yogurt Bowl for Dogs Recipe
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day for all of us, even our dogs! Get your dogs day off to a great start with a healthy dose of protein, vitamins, and minerals by feeding him/her a delicious Pumpkin and Yogurt Bowl for Dogs. These yogurt bowls are filled with good for your dog ingredients like fat free Greek yogurt, 100% pure pumpkin puree, plant based vitamin and mineral powder, and my Homemade Dog Food Seasoning which is a blend of 5 herbs that have extraordinary health benefits for your dog!
Homemade Dog Food Seasoning Blend recipe
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.
Also Check: Iams Veterinary Formula Intestinal Plus Puppy
Best For Sensitive Stomachs: Hills Science Diet Adult Sensitive Stomach & Skin Dog Food
This Hills Science Diet formula supports dogs with sensitive stomachs, while also nourishing their skin and promoting a healthy coat. This recipe contains prebiotic fiber to support gut bacteria and a balanced microbiome, it has highly digestible ingredients for optimal nutrient absorption, and it includes vitamin E and omega-6 fatty acids for skin nourishment.
Hills Science Diet Sensitive Stomach contains natural ingredients, as well as added vitamins, minerals, and amino acids. Its first ingredient is chicken, followed by brewers rice, chicken meal, and yellow peas. The recipe also contains brown rice, flaxseed, apples, carrots, and cranberries and does not contain chicken by-product meal.
Proteins Are Derived From Vegetables:
Vegetable-based proteins have far less useable protein than meat-based proteins. However, they can be found in a variety of dog food formulations.
Their protein content may complement animal proteins, including various important nutrients. They include carbs, which might lead to weight gain if consumed in excess.
The key to selecting a nutritious dog food is to look for proteins derived from vegetables that are both healthful and simple to digest. Sweet potatoes and peas are examples of such vegetables. Grains such as whole wheat and soy are among the varieties to avoid.
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Things To Avoid In Dog Food Include:
A few things you should be aware of when it comes to the components in your dogs food are as follows:
As a starting point, make certain that all meats used to come from animals who have been raised according to certain standards, like as organic or vegetarian-fed meat sources if possible for ethical reasons- this will ensure that they do not come into contact with hormones, antibiotics, and other potentially harmful substances from their food.
Castor & Pollux Organix Dry Dog Food
Organic dog food is an excellent choice for pet owners concerned about the health and safety of their dog’s diet, and science-based websites have rated Organix dog foods very high.
Technically, the USDA has not yet defined the term organic as it applies to pet foods, but it refers to how the ingredients in the dog food are grown, harvested, and processed.
Right now, dog foods can put the organic seal on their products if they:
- Have 100% organic content
- If at least 95% of the content by weight is organic excluding water and salt
- If at least 70% of the ingredients are organic, they can display Made with Organic and cite three organic ingredients on the front panel.
We chose Castor & Pollux Organix Dry Dog Food is one of our top organic picks for the best dog food brand. The protein source is the first ingredient in every recipe. For example, in the Chicken & Brown Rice recipe real, organic chicken is the first ingredient. The company uses organic quinoa because it is a nutrient-rich grain that provides a gluten-free source of fiber.
Organic flaxseed is an excellent source of omega-three fatty acids, which foster skin and coat health. Castor & Pollux dog food is made in the United States, and the company says that it never sources ingredients from China.
They make their food in an Organically Certified kitchen too.
Castor & Pollux makes many different blends of their Organix dog food. You’ll have to decide which one is right for your pet.
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Benefits Of Wet Dog Food Compared To Dry Dog Food
Wet dog food, or canned food, sometimes provides benefits that dry food doesnt offer, such as:
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Higher moisture content: Wet food may be a good choice if your dog doesnt drink as much as they should, or if they have a medical condition that could benefit from proper hydration. One example would be a dog with a history of urinary or kidney disease.
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Palatability: Canned dog food is often more aromatic and flavorful when compared to dry food. This may entice sick or older dogs to eat if their appetite is decreased.
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Satiety: Wet dog food tends to create a longer-lasting feeling of being full. Increased satiety is useful in weight management, especially in dogs that seem to have a never-ending appetite.
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Easier to chew: Dogs that have dental disease or other oral abnormalities may find wet food easier to chew than dry food.
Diamond Naturals Dry Kibble
Rating:
Diamond Naturals Extreme Athlete is one of 13 kibble recipes included in our review of the Diamond Naturals product line.
- First 5 ingredients: Chicken meal, chicken, ground white rice, chicken fat, cracked pearled barley
- Type: Grain-inclusive
- Other recipes: Large breed, small breed, puppy, senior, lamb, beef and more
- Price: $
- See all 13 available recipes
This Diamond Naturals formula derives most of its animal protein from chicken meal and fresh chicken. Our dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 36% protein, 28% fat and 29% estimated carbs which yields a fat-to-protein ratio of about 78%.
Diamond Naturals was recently selected as one of our most affordable dog foods. Highly recommended.
Sample buyer reviewI own competitive English setter females. Im always looking for the best value per pound in what I feed my dogs. Over the past 25 years Ive tried many different foods and found that 30/20 or higher works best based upon the condition, looks, stamina, palatability and stool size, consistency and frequency. Ive fed this food before and found it is very close to, if not better than the Sport/Performance food it competes with!
This Nulo Freestyle recipe derives the bulk of its meat protein from turkey, as well as turkey and salmon meals. Our dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 37% protein, 20% fat and 35% estimated carbs which produces a fat-to-protein ratio of about 55%.
Recommended Reading: Blue Buffalo Vs Nutro
Royal Canin Size Health Nutrition Small Adult Formula Dog Dry Food
Chewy.com
If you have an actual lap dog that weighs between nine and 22 pounds, the Royal Canin Size Health Nutrition Small Adult Formula Dog Dry Food has everything needed to support a small dogs boundless energy. Small dogs have a shorter, more intense growth period than larger dogs, and they also have higher calorie needs . This dog food supports both, plus it contains L-carnitine for healthy fat metabolism and EPA and DHA to support brain and skin health.
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.
Read Also: Who Makes Dr Pol Dog Food
What Kind Of Pooch Is Dry Dog Food For
Kibble is suitable for all dog sizes and breeds. Its one of the most convenient ways to feed your pup and the most popular option with busy pet parents. Dry food is easy to store and take on a trip, and it wont go bad as fast as wet food, even when left out in the open. You can pour Fido a portion and leave it to them to decide when they want to eat it.
The hard texture of kibble helps maintain your pups dental hygiene, but it also means you should avoid it if your dog has sensitive teeth or gums. Another thing to be careful about is the pellet size. Small dogs and puppies can choke on a large chunk, especially if they have a voracious appetite. Thats why you should consider buying them the best dry dog food for small dogs.
As kibble is dehydrated, your pooch will always need to have a bowl full of water to gulp down the food. If you notice them lapping away bowl after bowl, maybe its time for a dietary change. This is especially true if you live in a hot climate or your dog has bladder or kidney issues.