How to Choose the Right Dog Food for Your Pup

There are dozens of different dog food brands out there. It might be difficult to figure out which is the best one for your pup. We’d love for all dog food to be created equally, but just like human food, there’s a big range.

Within all the variations, there are certain things to be on the lookout for. Here are six things to know when choosing the right dog food:

Wet Vs. Dry Food

Most dog owners will either feed their pets wet food or dry kibble. Unlike cat food, they contain a wide range of meats, vegetables, grains, and even fruits to provide them with a well-balanced diet. Some of the top dog food choices provide high-quality ingredients to promote a healthy digestive system.

Wet dog food contains more moisture than dry food. Because of this, a dog will have to eat upwards of three times as much wet food than dry kibble.

Probiotics

Reading the labels of dog food is just as important as it would be for any human. It’s also important to note that your dog will need different nutrients throughout their life as they grow.

Always look for dog food that contains probiotics. Taste of the Wild, for example, offers 80 million live probiotic cultures that are great for active dogs and help support healthy digestion throughout any stage of their life.

Watch Protein Levels

It’s important to take note of the amount of protein in the dog food you choose. Some dogs have a lower tolerance to high-protein foods than others. You may see your dog taking on too much weight or getting sick more frequently.

This highly depends on the breed and age of the dog. Larger dogs who have too much protein may have joint issues later down the road due to gaining too much weight. Puppies, on the other hand, need more protein since they’re growing so fast.

Look for “Complete and Balanced”

You may think a simple solution would be to let your dog run free in your dog-friendly garden to get the necessary amount of natural and organic vegetables. But there is a much easier way to monitor what they’re ingesting.

One of the best things you can look for when selecting the right food for your dog is one simple statement: Meets the Nutritional Levels Established by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles.

The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) has very strict requirements when it comes to labeling a product as “complete and balanced.” If this label is provided, you’ll know for certain that it contains the minimum amount of nutrients your dog needs.

Freshness

Any type of food that adds preservatives is going to be less healthy than a fresher option. Having a shorter shelf-life means there are fewer additives within the food, making it a substantially healthier option.

However, this can also become expensive. Think about shopping organic for yourself. The price for healthier foods is always more costly.

A way many dog owners go about saving money is by cooking the food themselves. They use plain chicken, white rice, and pumpkin puree rather than purchasing bags of kibble with too many preservatives.

Always Properly Sealed

Unfortunately, not every store obeys regulations for proper food handling. I’ve seen stores tape bags of dog food closed that accidentally opened. Make sure to never purchase dog kibble where the packaging has been previously opened.

The food could’ve been tampered with and has probably lost some freshness. You have no idea how long it’s been open.

Looking for the best dog food for your pup can be tricky. But it doesn’t have to be as complicated as you think. If you still feel overwhelmed, talk to your vet. They’ll be able to give you professional guidance on the best food for your dog based on weight, age, breed, and specific dietary needs.