Our pets depend on us as their responsible owners to provide for their nutritional needs, along with other needs, to keep them healthy and happy.
Pet dogs are not only your furry friends, they’re also part of the family. As their guardians, it’s your responsibility to provide them with healthy and nutritious foods.
Canadian pet food can be found all over Canada and the world. Their high-quality products are available for purchase and easily accessible to most pet owners who want to make their dogs happy and healthy. When considering what your dog should eat, there are numerous factors in play. In this guide, you’ll learn how to find the best food for your dog.
Here are some tips to consider when buying dog food.
Choose Between Dry Or Wet Food
There’s no straight answer as to what is the best between the two. Both foods have their advantages and disadvantages. Some dogs enjoy dry food more than wet food and vice versa. What’s the difference between dry and wet food? The primary difference is the amount of water content in the foods.
Wet foods, also known as canned foods, contain a higher percentage of water, usually between 70 – 85 %. They’re palatable, easy to digest, and great for keeping your dog hydrated.
The negative side of wet foods is that plaque and tartar can accumulate, in the teeth resulting in tooth decay and bad breath. Canned foods should also not be left open for too long unless it’s in the refrigerator. Canned foods left open for long should be disposed.
On the other hand, dry foods contain a less percentage of water, usually 10% or less. Dry foods have more nutrients and are good for the teeth.
Crunching dry foods helps keep the dog’s teeth clean by preventing bacterial accumulation. Dry foods also contain more calories than wet foods. Dogs need more wet food, usually twice or thrice more, to match the calorific value of dry foods.
The downside of dry foods is that they don’t keep the dog hydrated. You need to give them plenty of water to keep them hydrated.
Both types of food are great, but medical and dental conditions can help you determine what the dog needs. This list of pet food Canada can help you find the right food for your dog.
Consider The Age Of Your Dog
The age of the dog is an important factor that should always be in mind. Just like in humans, certain foods are ideal for children, adults, and senior adults.
Your dog also needs to be fed according to their age because they need different amounts of nutrients at the different stages of life to ensure they grow well.
Puppies, for instance, need foods rich in all nutrients to ensure they develop and grow well. Generally, young dogs need enough proteins, calories, fatty acids, and water to promote healthy living and development.
As your dog moves to adulthood, the intake of proteins and calories should be minimal, but they should take more vitamins to boost their immune systems. For more senior dogs, they should take enough fiber to help with metabolism.
Make A Habit Of Reading The Ingredients
It’s good to check the ingredients the food has to offer before buying dog food. Reading the ingredients will help you find the right food with the nutrients you are looking for. For example, dogs need food with more meat to grow well, and that’s why you should go for dog foods with high meat percentages. Foods with 60–75 % of meat are good for dogs.
Read The Labels
Labels contain information that shows health standards, which helps buyers make an informed choice before buying dog food. The information on labels includes the product name, guaranteed analysis, weight, liquid measure, feeding instructions, and calorie value.
It’s better to choose foods with fewer nutrients but in higher quantities rather than foods with many ingredients but in fewer quantities.
In addition, if foods have the phrase “with,” it contains about 3% of the named ingredient. For example, chicken with “salmon” means it contains about 3 % salmon. Find out more about how to read labels on pet foods to help you make buying decisions.
Consider The Breed Size
The breed size is also important in determining dog food. Breeds above 60 pounds are considered large dogs, 30 – 35 pounds are medium-size, while those weighing less than that are considered small.
Small dogs need balanced meals rich in nutrients to keep up with their metabolic systems and help them grow. Medium-sized dogs need more intake of vitamins, proteins, and minerals, while large dogs need highly nutritious foods to sustain them because they are the most active.
Most importantly, feed your dog a balanced meal to ensure they get all nutrients the nutrients they need to grow up strong and healthy.
Check For Allergies
Dogs can develop allergies if they have the wrong diet. Digestive issues, itchy scalp, weight loss, and lack of energy are some symptoms that can indicate allergies.
If your dog exhibits any of these, you need to closely examine them and find out what foods they’re allergic to. Visit your vet to help you out during this process.
Research
In the end, it’s always up to you to find out what will work best for your dog. Do some research on various dog foods to figure out which ones your dog likes more.
There are also many articles containing recommendations about what to feed your dog, but you still have to make the final decision on what works best.
Consult Your Vet
The veterinarian is there to help you decide if you have no clue where to start your search. They have more experience in the field and can help you figure out the best food for your dog. Vets can also recommend diets and nutritional plans for your dogs, especially if they have underlying conditions.
Conclusion
These tips can help you find your way when buying the best food for your dog. However, it’s highly recommended to seek professional help from a veterinarian. They know different brands well, and they’ll make sure that your dog gets proper nutrition.
