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What to Consider While Selecting Dog Foods?
You need to consult your vet to decide on the right sort of dog food. Also, before kicking off a switch in your dog’s diet (according to his breed, digestive track and lifestyle), take an opinion from your dog’s vet.
Features to consider in a dog food:-
- Quality of the ingredients :- The guarantee label on the contents of a dog food is a poor indicator of the food's nutritional value. Although the contents list the basic ingredients and their amounts, the quality of an ingredient is also an important aspect. Low quality ingredients may lack nutrients and hard to digest. Smaller quantities of better-quality ingredients provide better overall nutrition.
- Calories :- Puppies should receive a good quality commercial "growth food which will contain high levels of calories and minerals than found in adult diets.
- Meat content The quality of protein in the dog food is more important than the source. A high quality plant protein is a better source of nutrition than a low quality meat source.
- Consistency of ingredients: - In general, the best food is that made with consistent, high-grade ingredients by renowned companies with strong research programmes to back up the food recipe.
AAFCO (Association of American Feeding Control Officials) and Animal Feeding Trials on its label:-
To certify and ensure that the dog feed meets the basic nutritional requirements of a normal dog.
- Palatability and appeal to dog:- There is no nutritional reason to change food if it is balanced and of good quality. Most dogs seem happy on a consistent diet, but a few may need variety to maintain a normal appetite. If your pooh is one of these, make sure you change the food gradually, mixing the new food with the old one. Abrupt changes in diet can cause indigestion, vomiting.
- Cost : Feeding your pet a healthy diet doesn't have to be expensive. To decide if a certain food suits your budget, consider the cost of feeding per day, not just the price of the bag. Better quality foods are more digestible, which means your pet needs less food per day. .
- Balanced nutrition:- Pick a food that provides all nutrients to your dog, including water, protein (essential amino acids and nitrogen), essential fatty acids, minerals and vitamins.
There are several factors regarding your dog that you need to take into account while buying it’s dog food:
- His age: Your pet's nutritional needs will change with age. Puppies should receive a good quality commercial "growth' food which will contain higher levels of protein, calories and minerals than are found in adult diets.
- His breed:- An Alsatian will have a different dietary requirement as compared to a poodle. Small dogs may find it difficult to chew and digest food of a certain size and shape. If you have two different pet breeds at home, their diets would differ.
- His activity levels:- If your dog is primarily the outdoor sort, constantly running, digging, jumping, then his dog food must be full of protein and carbohydrates. Alternatively, if he spends most of his time on the couch or on the floor, then the best dog food would be low in fat and calories.
- His preferences: Those dogs and puppies who suffer from digestion problems could better digest a meal containing rice and lamb, rather than chicken and wheat.