In general, people are becoming more health conscious. They try to eat more fruits, vegetables and whole grains, and less sugar and preservatives. It makes sense, then, that they want their pets to get healthier, too. Buying commercial pet food is certainly easy, but is it really providing the nutrition your animal needs?
Choosing the Best Food for Your Dog
Your dog is more than a pet; he or she is part of the family. Just as you would want the best food for your children, you certainly do not want your furry family member to be eating something that is not beneficial.
Natural Is Best
Just as human food is marketed with clever words to give the impression of benefits, packaging can be just as deceptive on pet food. Take the time to read the actual ingredients. Are they natural products like beef, chicken, broccoli or beets? Or does it include products you have never heard of?Additives such as propylene glycol and sodium nitrate can actually harm your dog, so look for natural preservatives such as rosemary and vitamins.
Eat Fresh
You don’t want to eat old, outdated food. Neither does your dog. Check the expiration dates on the pet food and calculate whether you will be able to use the entire package before then. Animals can benefit from freshly prepared food, too. Adding cooked meat and bones to your dog’s fare can enhance his or her overall diet. It also gives your pet some variety. After all, you probably don’t want to eat the same meal day in and day out.
Use Caution with Grains
While you may need a variety of grains to be healthy, not all cereals work for your pets. Most dog foods will contain grains, but some of those may cause allergic reactions. If your pet starts having skin problems, it may be due to eating corn or soy, for example. Look for ingredients like:
- Barley
- Brown rice
- Oatmeal
- Whole wheat
If it isn’t something you would eat, your dog probably won’t benefit from it either.
When feeding your pet, a good rule of thumb is that the best foods are those suitable for human consumption. For optimal health, choose options with whole meats and vegetables and avoid unnatural preservatives.
Breed, Age & Activity Level
All dog foods are not created equally. Many will offer specific nutrients that may be better suited for a specific age bracket. Younger dogs need foods that will assist in growth and bone development. On the other hand, older dogs may have more difficulty maintaining certain nutrients, making it imperative they receive food with supplemental nutrients. Diet can also reduce inflammation and can help with special needs the dog may incur as it ages.
For dogs that are extremely active, there are foods to help them maintain high levels of energy. Dogs prone to a more sedentary lifestyle may need to have a weight-control type of diet to ensure they do not end up with extra pounds and face health issues because of them. Switching to a weight-controlled diet is also beneficial to a dog who is currently overweight and needs to lose a few pounds.
Breed can also come into play as there are health issues that certain breeds are prone to. Creating a diet that offers preventative measures can be beneficial in reducing or eliminating those health concerns down the road.
The Best Food for Your Dog
No longer is dry kibble the only act in town. More and more pet owners are veering towards natural food choices to ensure the dog food being eaten is full of quality ingredients and have less “filler” in them. There is an array of wet dog food available as well as raw, although the price tag can go up considerably with the latter. In some cases, pet owners can create their own batch of dog food to make sure all the ingredients are quality and no nutrients go missing from their diet.
When it comes to choosing the best food for your dog, be sure to research his or her specific needs and decide how much time you are willing to put into creating the food, if you opt to go that route. Discuss with your veterinarian any special needs your pet may have and which diet will be most beneficial overall.