Best Dry Dog Food For Puppies
If you’re wondering whether your puppy really needs a special food just for younger dogs, the answer is yes! Puppies need more calories, more fat, and a different vitamin and mineral balance to support healthy growth, Shepherd explains. Typically, puppy food is made for dogs under 1 year of age.
Though there aren’t any official AAFCO nutrient standards specifically for small and large breeds, some puppy foods are made specially for dogs of different sizes. “Balancing the nutrient needs of dogs given their wide size variety and ages is wise and common sense,” says Dodds. For instance, large breed puppies need a special ratio of calcium to phosphorus for their growing big bones, and they can benefit from supplements such as glucosamine and chondroitin to help keep their joints healthy, according to Shepherd. On the flip side, puppy foods for smaller breeds often have smaller kibble pieces for smaller mouths. They may also be a bit higher in calories, since smaller breeds can have higher metabolisms.
If you want to make sure a food is appropriate for puppies, check the label for an AAFCO complete and balanced statement that says it’s intended for growth for all life stages. Some foods might also specifically state that they’re for younger dogs. Keep an eye out for any food that says “maintenance” on the package. These are meant specifically for adult dogs, so they won’t be right for a puppy.
Why Trust The Spruce Pets
To find the best places to buy dog food, we consulted with lots of pet owners, animal rescuers, and others who shop often for pet supplies about where they shop.
This article was researched and written by who has covered animals and pets for several decades. Mary Jo has fostered more than three dozen puppies and dogs and is always searching for the healthiest and most effective products for them.
Cooking Our Way To A Healthier Dog Diet
Ever since I started raising my own dogs, Id always wanted to make their food at home but thought it would be too expensive or too time consuming, or that they wouldnt get the nutrition they needed.
During the month of Bugs doggy depression, I vowed to make her precious life as comfortable as possible.
Both of my pugs had a range of health issues growing up, which I unfortunately found out were common for the breed.
My older one had persistent hot spots and itchiness that no commercial dog food could cure .
Bug was overweight for a while when she was younger, even though she ate the recommended amount of food for her target weight. Eventually, I settled on Wellness kibbles and they did well with that brand.
But, I wanted to explore other options. I wanted to give them real food fresh, nutritious ingredients that I recognized and could even eat myself.
Ive mentioned in my post on homemade whole grain chicken feed that the entire household all share the same whole grains and seeds that we buy in bulk, as well as the bounty that comes from our edible garden.
Everything our animals eat, we can eat.
When it comes to homemade feed for our laying hens, we stick to a tried-and-true formula that works for every layer: 16 to 17 percent protein , vitamins, minerals, and amino acids from a wide variety of grains and seeds, and free range of a pasture for weeds, greens, and insects.
Dogs, on the other hand, arent bred for a standard function the way chickens are.
Read Also: Does Dry Dog Food Go Bad
Here Are The Top 22 Best Canadian Made Dry Dog Foods For 202:
#1: Smack
Smack is a Canadian company making absolutely outstanding dehydrated superfoods for pets. For the third consecutive year, Smack is our top-ranked dog food for 2022!
Since 2008, Smack Pet Foods have been proudly producing high quality pet products out of their Winnipeg, Manitoba facility. The Smack team are committed to providing pets with the healthiest, and most convenient foods in todays pet food marketplace.
All Smack products are backed by food engineering, biochemistry, holistic medicine, and a deep love of animals. These are the tools that allow Smack to develop an innovative, industry-leading approach to pet food manufacturing. Best of all, their foods are dehydrated in their raw form, ensuring maximum nutrient retention.
These are a few of the reasons why Smack Pet Foods has taken the number one spot in our 2020, 2021 and 2022 Top Canadian Dog Food Rankings.
Smacks recipes are made mostly from certified organic ingredients, including the best quality cuts of human-grade meat , and a carefully chosen range of organic produce.
Because of their high meat content, Smack is highly palatable perfect for fussy eaters. There are five unique Smack dog formulas to choose from: Prairie Harvest Pork, Caribbean-Salmon Fusion, Rockin Rockfish, Chunky Chicken, and Very Berry Chicken. Smacks recipes are loaded with wholesome, nutritiously-dense superfoods, and dont require any synthetic supplementation. Read our full review of Smack Pet Foods here.
#2: Carna4
Are These Diets The Best Choice For Your Dog
Some proponents of the grain-free dog diets claim that grains are an unnatural source of nutrition for dogs and feel that dogs ancestors did not digest grains in the wild. While it may be true that dogs didnt sit down to eat a pasta dinner, they did hunt and consume animals that ate grains therefore indirectly ingesting grains themselves!
However, since our pets no longer live in the wild, dog foods are formulated with our dogs activity levels, weight, heart health, and overall wellbeing in mind.
While our dogs ancestors may have eaten only a small portion of grains in the wild, dogs have evolved over the years to digest different types of nutrition, including grain. There are several genes in dogs that have been modified over the years to allow them to digest grains and gluten. So, in terms of metabolism, it is not necessary to feed your dogs grain-free pet food.
Some proponents of grain-free dog food diets choose this form of nutrition for their dogs because they believe their dogs are allergic or intolerant to grains. Grain-free and gluten-free diets for dogs are becoming increasingly popular. While these diets are particularly helpful for PEOPLE suffering from celiac disease, gluten intolerances, or allergies to wheat, most dogs do NOT suffer from these same ailments.
Itchiness
Recommended Reading: Blue Buffalo Vs Nutro
Is Go Food Good For My Dog
Theeir website provides a good bit of information about the brand in general as well as information about its ingredients. If you really want to learn the truth behind the claims they make on their website, however, you need to visit the Petcurean website. Here you will find information about the Petcurean Difference which promises quality, locally-sourced ingredients, excellent manufacturing safety, and unique formulations for dogs with different dietary needs. In general, their products appear to be made with high-quality ingredients in protein-rich formulas, many of which are gluten-free and grain-free. All in all, they appear to be a high-quality pet food brand and it is particularly beneficial for dogs that are fussy eaters and those who suffer from food allergies or sensitivities. Even if your dog doesnt have any of these problems, the Daily Defence formula helps to provide preventive care for dogs in all life stages to ensure a long, happy life.
Go! Dry: This brand of food divides its recipes among four different formulas. The Fit + Free formula is designed to maximize your dogs energy and vitality with meat-rich and low-carb recipes. The Sensitivity + Shine formula is perfect for dogs with food allergies or sensitivities and it will boost coat health as well. The Daily Defence formula is designed to provide preventive care to ensure your dogs long and healthy life. Here is a list of dry food recipes that they have to offer:
Why Is There A Trend To Feed Dogs Grain
As with their own overall health and wellness, pet parents are now more aware of the importance and impact nutrition plays in our dogs overall wellbeing, and thats a GREAT thing! We are our dogs only advocates, and ensuring they are fed the best diet will certainly help them live long, healthy, and happy lives!
Home-cooked, whole food nutrition, and raw dog food diets are popular for our dogs now more than ever before. All-natural diets with no artificial additives and preservatives are becoming increasingly important when pet parents choose the diets to feed their dogs, and these types of diets can definitely be healthy and fulfilling for our dogs!
However, many pet parents have come to believe that what is healthy for us as humans is also healthy for our dogs. While pets have adapted to eating human food-based diets through hundreds and even thousands of years of living with humans, we should not necessarily make the same nutritional choices for our pets that we make for ourselves.
Also Check: Pedigree Vs Purina One
Ruffin Rainbow Treat Bowl For Dogs
Dr. Ernie Ward is the co-author of Better You, Better Dog, Better Life and The Clean Pet Food Revolution . Early in his career, he focused on bringing senior pet care guidelines to general veterinary practices and later focused on spreading awareness of the dangers of obesity in pets.
What Are The Nutritional Benefits Of Venison
Venison is the name for the red meat that comes from deer. Though often considered a novel protein, venison is actually very common in the United States so it cant really be called an exotic protein. Compared to popular commercially raised meats like beef, pork, and lamb, venison is a lean mean.
Also, because it isnt commercially grown, it usually doesnt contain growth hormones or antibiotics. Because venison is a type of animal protein, it is technically possible for your dog to develop an allergy, but many dogs tolerate venison well this makes it a popular protein for use in LIDs as well as formulas designed for dogs with sensitive stomachs.In terms of its nutrition, venison contains about 150 calories for a 3.5-ounce portion . A portion this size contains just 2.4 grams of fat, compared to about 205 calories and 10 grams of fat for a same-size portion of top beef loin. It is also worth noting that less than half of the fat in venison is saturated fat.
Unchanged: In regard to protein content, a 3.5-ounce serving of venison contains nearly 30 grams of protein, and lean protein at that. Venison is also rich in iron, niacin, riboflavin, and B vitamins it also has higher levels of omega-3 fatty acid than beef. If youre looking for a lean, nutrient-rich, and novel protein for your dog, venison is a great option to consider.
You May Like: Royal Canin Gastrointestinal Low Fat Liquid
Are You A California Resident
Save 35% on your first Autoship order up to a maximum savings of $20.00 and 5% onall recurring orders. Offer valid through 1/30/2022 with Treats membership. Must be signed in to your Treatsaccount to receive discount. Offer excludes prescription medications and pharmaceutical products purchased fromThe Pharmacy at PetSmart, select merchandise from various brands, services, gift cards, gift certificates,previous purchases, and charitable donations. Savings will automatically reflect in shopping cart with purchaseof qualifying product and enrollment in Autoship. Offer may not be combinable with other promotional offers ordiscounts. Treats members receive free shipping on orders over $49.00, prior to taxes & after discounts areapplied. Prices & selection may vary. While supplies last. Quantities may be limited and deliveries may bedelayed.
Best Dry Dog Food For Adults
One of the most popular choices, dry dog food is convenient and practical. “Dry food is the most compact, most shelf-stable, and most economical generally because you are not paying for the water that’s in higher moisture foods,” explains veterinarian and board certified veterinary nutritionist Megan Shepherd, a clinical assistant professor of nutrition at Virginia Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine.
Plus, dry dog food doesn’t usually have special storage instructions and is simple to scoop and feed. Of course, there’s a lot of variation in calorie and nutrient content in kibble-type dog foods, Shepherd points out, which can make it harder to pick the right one.
In terms of nutrient content, look for a moderate level of protein and low to moderate fat. You may think more protein is a plus since dogs evolved as carnivores, but that’s not necessarily true, says Kelly Swanson, PhD, professor of animal and nutritional sciences at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Pet dogs are actually omnivorous and don’t need super high levels of protein in their diets. Swanson explains that protein quality and digestibility are most important.
Our suggestions below have all the must-have nutritional qualities plus a combination of healthy extras, from omega fatty acids to glucosamine and chondroitin.
Don’t Miss: Pedigree Dog Food In Bulk
The Top 22 Dog Foods In Canada For 2022
Over the past several decades, Canadian pet food manufacturers have been developing high quality, human grade, and innovative pet foods to supply both Canada and the world. We have carefully evaluated more than fifty Canadian pet food brands, closely scrutinizing every aspect of the manufacturer and their recipe. Here are just a few of the things we consider:
- Quality and source of ingredients, including how fresh the ingredients are, where theyre sourced from, whether they include antibiotics or hormones, if theyre GMO free, organic, and more.
- Manufacturing practices and transparency. We believe the manufacturers of the foods we feed our beloved pets should be accountable for every step of the manufacturing process.
- Innovation and sustainability. As we move towards a more eco-friendly world, pet food manufacturers should be focused on developing earth-friendly standards and practices as well.
Transitioning To Homemade Dog Food
Most dogs dont have a problem making the switch to homemade food. If yours is prone to digestive issues, start slowly by mixing a little bit of the homemade food with the commercial food.
Over the course of a week or two, gradually increase the amount of homemade food while decreasing the commercial food.
If your dog vomits or has diarrhea, try introducing only a couple of new ingredients at a time until their systems are well adjusted to the fresh diet.
For dogs with health issues, please consult with a veterinarian if you arent sure what kind of supplements are needed. Use your best judgment, the way you would when feeding yourself or your family.
Also Check: How To Mix Dry And Wet Dog Food
Lentil Plus For Cats And Oat & Soy For Dogs
Dr. Richard and Susan Hubble Pitcairn have been singing the gospel of holistic health for pets for more than three decades. The husband-and-wife duo have long been the go-to specialists for chemical-free nutrition and natural healing for pets.
More than 500,000 copies of Dr. Pitcairns Complete Guide to Natural Health for Dogs & Cats have been sold since its original publication. In the fourth edition of the book, the couple discuss the advantages of a plant-based diet, offering tips and recipes for complete meat-free eating for both dogs and cats.
The Results From Feeding Our Diy Dog Food
Back to the story of Bug
After only a couple of weeks of feeding her a homemade diet, the hubby and I were blown away by how much her mental and physical health improved. And we wholeheartedly believe she was able to bounce back because of her new food.
She went from an ailing, exhausted, incontinent, tail-down dog to a happy, energetic, curious, communicative pup. While she isnt miraculously walking again, her hip dysplasia also hasnt progressed or caused her any pain.
Weve learned to watch for signs that she needs to relieve herself as weve realized she knows when she has to go, she just cant get there without our help.
We feed both of our pugs the same food, with the hope that we can stave off any potential health problems for our older one.
When we travel, well bring their homemade food on the road in a cooler. On occasion, weve even ordered their dinner from a restaurant when we ran out of food .
If were camping, well usually just feed them whatever were cooking in camp they love corn on the cob, hobo packs , and the whole assortment of tri-tip, sausages, and ribs that weve usually got going on.
As you might imagine they lovecamping trips!
Homemade dog food gives us the flexibility to fine-tune their diet as needed. Im forever grateful for the extra time we were given with our beloved Bug as a result of the food we chose to feed her.
Don’t Miss: Is Crave Dog Food Good
Preparation Of Our Homemade Diet
All of the information above might seem intimidating, but I assure you that making the actual meals for our dogs takes no more than 20 minutes of actual hands-on time.
First, we cook our complex carbs, whether theyre grains, legumes, or starchy vegetables.
While that pot is simmering on the stove, we cook the meat in a separate pan in coconut oil and ground turmeric. After its cooled a bit, we add chunks of meat to our food processor and pulse until theyre broken down into 1/2- to 1-inch pieces.
Then, we gather whatever vegetables or fruits we have in the kitchen , chop them up as needed, and toss them into the food processor.
We also add a few clean, crushed eggshells to the mix. A few pulses turns all this food into smaller pieces, making them more digestible for our dogs.
Finally, we add the cooled, cooked carbs to the food processor and do a couple more pulses to combine. Everything should have a finely crumbled texture by this point.
Since dogs have short digestive tracts, its crucial that you break down the food to increase its bioavailability that is, making all the nutrients in those wholesome ingredients more digestible in a dogs system.
I prepare enough food to last my two pugs an entire week. Its unbelievably easy, and I like knowing exactly what goes into their food. Friends will watch us feed our pugs and remark that it looks good enough for them to eat!