Choosing the right dog food for your dog is important. Some helpful tips like understanding your dog’s specific dietary needs, level of activity, breed, and age all play a key role when it comes to picking out what’s right for your four-legged best friend. Understanding the labeling, ingredients and where the food is sourced from can help guide you to choosing the very best nutritional standards for your pet. Without hesitation, here’s how you can find out how to choose the best dog food for your pet.
Things to Consider When Picking Your Dog’s Food
There are a variety of brands and nutritional differences when choosing the best dog food for your pet, so be sure to consider all of the factors before choosing blindly. Nutrition is one of the most important facets of taking proper care of your pet; choose wisely and deliberately to ensure a healthy life span for Fido!
There are multiple things to consider like if your dog requires a grain-free diet, high nutritional content, their level of activity, breed and other diet and health restrictions. Knowing how to read pet food labels is a helpful tip when choosing the right pet food for your dog.
Age and Breed
Knowing how old your pet is the first step in picking out the right type of food. Dog food companies produce food based on different stages of your dog’s life. Puppies need a much different standard of food than full grown adult dogs, and vice versa. Giving your pet the wrong age category of food can lead to nutrient deficiencies, and lack of protein.
Knowing your dog’s breed can also be a determinant on what type of food is best for their needs. Some dog breeds are known for high levels of activity and require a much more nutrient dense diet while others can be smaller in size, less active, and require a simpler version of pet food. It is best to consult your veterinarian before making any decisions to switch their food.
Educate Yourself on Pet Food Labels
It is important to be well versed on reading pet food labels when becoming a pet owner. There are certain profiles designated by the Association of American Feed Control Officials for both dog and young dog nutrition. These can be found on every dog food label to give you an idea of the food’s contents. When choosing the right food for your pet, be sure to consider high-quality ingredients only. Foods with chemical additives and other toxins and fillers are not ideal for your beloved pet.
Knowing what to look for on pet food labels can help guide you in making the best decision for what to feed your dog. Fillers like wheat and corn are unnecessary and can increase obesity in your pet; it is important to know what to look for.
Raw Diet
Some folks subscribe their pet to what is called a ‘raw’ diet. They cook food for their dogs to maintain a more natural diet for their pet. Oftentimes this can be supplemented with commercial dog food as well. However, the nutrition content may be slightly less due to the predominant staple being fed to your pet. Sticking to a regiment in your pet’s diet can help you in choosing what kind of pet food is best for their needs.
Some dog foods will contain less nutritional value, and more fillers/carbs. If this is fit for your dog you can choose something with a little less intensity when it comes to nutritional value. If your dog is not on a raw diet, it is important to find the right pet food to properly nourish and support healthy functioning, and longevity.
Maturing Tastes
As your puppy goes through different stages into dog adulthood, their diet will change. So, you’ll need to choose their pet food accordingly to support these changes. Consult your veterinarian for their expert opinion on how to properly feed your pet during these stages. Puppy food, and adult dog food are vastly different in nutritional content and should be taken seriously when feeding your pet.
Allowing your pet the nutrition it needs is an appropriate way to maintain overall health. During their growing stages, it is important to slowly introduce new foods and to transition them without abruptness. Changing foods too fast can lead to stomach issues and may result in certain stresses on your pet. You can add new foods into their old one until the old food slowly runs out and the new one can replace it.
When it Comes to Your Dog’s Food, There is a lot to Think About
When choosing the best dog food for your pet, know that there are plenty of options to consider. You’ll want to know how to read dog food labels, understand what kind of food your dog needs, as well as their age and diet restrictions. Among all these factors, choosing the best dog food for your pet can be easy once you consult your veterinarian for some helpful advice.
It can be helpful to avoid certain pet foods containing chemical additives, and other toxins, to feel confident in the nutritional content you are feeding your pet. Certain standards can be verified on the back of pet foods, so you’ll want to understand what it means before perusing the pet supply store. If your dog is on a raw diet, or subscribes to other dietary restrictions, be sure to know what to look for.
Your Vet Can Help
With a variety of dog food for your pet on the shelves, knowing what to give them is key in properly taking care of them. If your dog is still a puppy, or young adult, you would not want to choose the pet food labeled for adults. The same can go for different breeds, and dogs with different levels of activity. When choosing the best dog food for your pet it is all about nutrition and how to support that for your dog. Changes in food may also occur as they grow from the puppy stage into adulthood, and it is important you take the transition slowly to not cause any stress or upset stomach activity. Nutrition and overall health are key in maintaining a happy, healthy dog! Be sure to contact your Gray Animal Hospital veterinarian at (224) 304-0668 with any questions!