5 Things to Look for When Picking the Best Dog Food

Best Dog Food

Pets are a big part of the family, and we want to make sure they’re taken care of. One way you can do this is by feeding your dog the best dog food available. But how do you know which one? If you do a quick search on the internet, you’ll find that there are so many different brands of dog food out there. With all these choices, it can be difficult to know what’s best for your pup. That’s why we’ve put together this blog post about what to look for when picking the best dog food. We will discuss the five key things to keep in mind when you are making the choice between dog food brands.

1. Dry Dog Food vs. Wet (Canned) Dog Food

One of the most significant question to ask when feeding our pets is, which food should we buy: wet or dry? The answer may not be as clear cut.

Dry Dog Food

This is the most popular type of dog food you’ll find in grocery stores. It comes as a dry, compressed mixture and can be stored on its own or mixed with water to create an even consistency that your dog will enjoy eating. The convenience of dry kibble is unmatched in the world of pet food. Not only can it be left out longer than wet canned foods, but you don’t have to worry about fridge space or spoilage. A significant advantage to dry food is its effect on dental health. The scraping of kibble against the teeth removes built-up tartar and plaque, which can prevent nasty dog breath as well as gingivitis or even a more severe problem such as oral disease.

Wet (Canned) Dog Food

Pets love wet food because it looks like something new every time they get hungry. This type of dog food comes in a can and is typically more expensive than dry varieties. They are preservative-free, have fewer fillers and come with the convenience of being ready to serve after opening. Wet dog food also contains some nutritional value for your pet, thanks to natural ingredients like vegetables. Wet dog food is the way to go if you’re dealing with a picky eater; research has shown that dogs are more attracted to water-based foods. The strong aroma and flavour will increase your pup’s desire for mealtime!

Dogs often don’t drink enough water. Supplementing wet food into their diet can provide them with some much-needed hydration to not only prevent dehydration but also the development of many urinary conditions such as struvite crystals or kidney stones, which are both painful and expensive to treat.

2. What is the Dog Food Ingredients?

Healthy food high in protein. Meat, fish, dairy products, nuts and beans. Top view

When choosing dog food, the most important thing to look for is to make sure that it contains real ingredients and nothing hidden from view, like artificial colours or fillers. If the packaging has words on it you can’t pronounce, skip it for sure! Opt for foods that contain real ingredients like chicken, apples, rice, carrots, etc.

The first ingredient is an animal-based protein. Usually, the label will state the species such as chicken, lamb, fish or beef and whether it is whole meat, meat meal or a by-product meal. The latter being the less favourable option in your dog food.

3. Lookout for Cheap Fillers, Artificial Colors, Flavors, or Preservatives

A good way to identify cheap fillers is if you have seen corn, wheat or maize on the ingredients list; they are all inexpensive alternatives that many companies rely on when trying to cut costs. It’s worth noting that these substances can cause stomach upset and may even lead to allergies for some dogs so it’s always best to avoid them completely when possible.

There are also some artificial preservatives that have been linked with potentially serious illnesses among pets. Avoid any foods that mention BHA (Buthylhydroxyanisole)(E320), BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene) (E321)or propylene glycol on the packaging. These additives may harm your dog’s health. The increase in the use of artificial colors, flavors and preservatives has also been linked to a rise in obesity among pets. Make sure that your dog food does not contain any additives as these will only harm his health over time.

4. Match the Food with Your Dog Activity Level

How much energy a dog expends every day will provide a lot of insight into the specific nutrients needed to support that lifestyle. For example – a highly active dog will require food with more calories to match those needs.

– A dog who only walks around the block once or twice per day: this is a very low energy level and best suited for a diet that offers fewer calories, lower fat levels but still enough protein to keep them healthy.

– Moderate activity (a few short walks every day): these dogs need less high-calorie foods than they would if they were extremely active but should have a higher protein content as well.

– Active lifestyle (long walks daily). These pets are burning through their energy reserves quickly and need plenty of nutrition in order to stay healthy – typically from proteins like chicken or beef instead of grains like rice or barley which can cause weight gain when eaten too much.

5. Product Packaging and Use-by Date

There are a couple of things to look for when it comes to the packaging and use-by date.  You’ll want to make sure that the product is hermetically sealed, which means that there is less chance of spoilage or contamination from outside sources. Lastly, while we don’t recommend feeding your dog anything past its ‘use by’ date on the package; checking the label will show “Product of” country, which means that all significant ingredients in the food are from the specified country.

Bottom Line

You’ve probably heard the saying, “You are what you eat.” This is never truer than when it comes to your pet! With so many options in dog food on the market today, deciding which one is best for your pup can be overwhelming and time-consuming. When you’re buying your pet’s food, it can be tempting to go with the cheapest option. But what might seem like a good deal could have some negative consequences.

Best Dog Food: Is what has fewer fillers, no preservatives, no artificial ingredients, no additives and full of natural real whole ingredients. What brand do you currently feed your pets? We would love to hear all about them in our comment section below!

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