For pet parents, choosing the right food for their dogs can be tricky sometimes. This is because they not only have to look at what tastes good but also choose the right dry dog food to meet their pet’s nutritional requirements. While looking at the label can give a fair idea about the nutritional value of the food, there are several other factors that must be considered when picking the best dry dog food.
What is dry dog food or kibbles?
Before heading out to the pet food aisle in the supermarket, it is important to know what exactly dry food for pets is. Also known as kibbles, dry dog food is made by grounding all the ingredients, such as meat, grains, legumes, vegetables, and so on. Then, all of these are mixed together and mulled into pellets of different sizes and shapes. The mixing is done using a binder. For instance, if the dry dog food contains a specific grain, it is used as a binder to stick all the other ingredients together during the mixing process. Meanwhile, grain-free kibbles use other ingredients, such as starch or legumes, to bind everything together. Using the process of extrusion, these pellets are then cooked and packed.
Factors to consider while buying dry dog food
Dogs have different nutritional requirements based on their size, breed, age, and existing health conditions. It is crucial to take into account these factors to find the best dry dog food. Additionally, a pet owner must know the various certifications and compliances that a pet food package must meet to ensure proper safety and nutrition.
Age of the dog
The nutritional needs of dogs change according to their life stages. So, it is important to ensure that proper adjustments are made to a dog’s meals based on their growth. For example, puppies must be fed dry dog food that has been specially formulated for them. When they are little, dogs tend to be highly energetic and active. So, their food must contain suitable ingredients to sustain their energy levels and help them grow. Senior dogs, on the other hand, need food that contains ingredients that help with joint issues.
Size of the dog
Along with age, the size of the pet also matters when choosing the best dry dog food. This is because it affects the portion of the food that must be given to them. For bigger dogs, the portions will be larger, so the packages must be bigger too. Besides this, larger dogs also require special ingredients to maintain their joint and muscle health. In contrast, smaller dogs will require kibbles that are smaller in size and shape but with high nutritional content.
Breed of the dog
Most dry dog foods are specially formulated according to different breeds, as the nutritional needs also change based on the type of the dog. For example, large-breed puppies require foods that have ingredients to regulate their growth and prevent orthopedic issues as they grow. Plus, breed-specific foods also contain additional nutrients that help prevent health conditions that are common in those breeds.
Activity levels
Dogs that tend to do high-energy activities, involving a lot of agility and heavy-duty tasks, need food that can help with quick recovery. Their food must be packed with fats and proteins. But, for dogs with medium to low levels of activity, high-energy foods are not suitable. They need dry dog food that is easily digestible and considerably low in fats.
Food sensitivities and allergies
Sometimes, dogs develop allergies that lower their tolerance to certain ingredients. Usually, a pet owner finds out about such food sensitivities and allergies only when they feed their dog different kinds of foods. But once it has been figured out that certain ingredients cause unhealthy effects in the dog, it’s time to change the type of dry food. For example, dogs with sensitive stomach or digestive issues might not be able to eat all sources of animal-based proteins. In such cases, foods that contain protein sources like fish, turkey, or venison might be better options. It’s best to consult a vet and ask for a specialized meal plan.
Pre-existing health conditions
This factor must be especially considered in the case of senior dogs that often develop health conditions such as arthritis, urinary tract issues, diabetes, liver diseases, and so on. In such a situation, the best dry dog food is the one that helps manage these pre-existing health conditions. Sometimes, even younger dogs have health issues like asthma. In such cases, it’s important to determine whether certain types of dry food will worsen or improve their symptoms.
How to check if one has picked the best dry dog food?
Often, a dog’s appearance and overall behavior will directly indicate if they are having the right dry dog food. Besides, there are some things that can help one determine the suitability of a particular dry dog food.
Coat and skin
The right food will ensure that the dog’s coat is shiny and smooth. The skin will not have any itching, and no frequent yeast infections on the ears or paws.
Healthy stomach and good digestion
One of the major indicators that the food is suiting the dog well is when their digestive system is functioning properly, with no regular occurrence of diarrhea, acid reflux, nausea, constipation, or flatulence.
General health
With the right type of dry dog food, the overall health of the dog will be good, which will be evident from the normal levels of physical activity.
