When trying to decide on a food for your dog, try implementing a system of dog food ratings that will help you evaluate the pros and cons of the choices you are considering. Whether you choose to use a homemade diet or a processed commercial diet, you will want to consider healthy dog foods that are good for your dog and provide the necessary nutrition. When I was deciding what to feed my dog, the following methods provided the most objective information.
The first factor I considered in my dog food rating method is palatability. After all, if I couldn’t get my dog to eat it, even the best nutrition would not have done her any good. Some dogs are not picky at all, and they will eat whatever food you put in front of them, regardless of any nutritional value or ingredients. Other dogs are very picky and will only choose the processed foods that are flavored with artificial sweeteners and flavors. Usually those dogs have already been exposed to this type of food because these flavors are not natural to the diet they would eat in the wild.
All of the rest of these considerations I weigh evenly, and you will have to decide what which factors are most important in your decision making process.
A second factor to consider is the level of essential nutrients contained in each dog food that meet your dog’s needs. Different dogs, at different stages of life, have different health needs. You will find processed foods that are made for puppies, adult dogs, senior dogs, and for specific health concerns. I used to think that dog food was just dog food, but some of the commercial dog foods have significantly better nutrition than others. Just because it is in the pet food aisle does not mean it is the best food for your dog. Read the labels to see that the food you choose has high levels of proteins and low levels of fats and carbohydrates. In their natural habitats, dogs do not eat carbohydrates, and while their bodies can process them better than cats, they are not a natural part of any dog’s diet.
Another consideration is that the ingredients are high quality ingredients. There is a specific reason to look for quality ingredients in your dog’s food. Higher quality ingredients are more easily utilized by your dog’s digestive system. The more natural the form the food comes in, the more benefit the dog will receive from the food.
Fourth on my list of considerations is that the food has a minimal amount of fillers. You may find words like plant or animal byproducts. It sounds harmless, but it is a cheaper, less effective way to get animal and plant proteins into your dog’s system. The byproducts include the “throw away” parts of the plants and animals. Stalks, petals, beaks, fur, and feathers are common byproducts that can be processed into your animal’s food. Obviously, these byproducts are not going to produce the same kinds of health benefits for your dog as foods that include the healthier parts of the plants and animals without fillers.
Last, I consider that the food has minimal preservatives and additives. I would actually love to be able to feed my dog a homemade diet of the natural meats and vegetables I eat, but I find myself so busy and scraping by to get myself a meal. Because I can’t do a homemade diet, I at least want to limit the chemical preservatives I am feeding to my dog. Because processed foods have to sit on the shelf until they are sold and eaten, there is a necessity for some preservatives, but if the initials in the list of ingredients are more abundant than words like chicken, rice, beef, salmon, or lamb, choose another food!
I also try to avoid the added flavors that companies put into foods these days. They are usually enhanced with chemicals which again I would rather keep out of my dog’s system. And if you don’t start giving your dog a flavor enhanced food, he will never know the difference anyway!
It is always important to know the overall health and nutrition needs of your dog. Be sure to keep up with regular vet visits so if something changes in your dog’s nutritional needs you can make changes and provide the best possible diet and nutrition.
Talk with your vet and establish a dog food ratings system that will help you make the best decision for feeding your dog. Always read the labels in your initial search for the right food will help you keep your eyes open to what you are actual feeding your dog. As age and health needs change, so may your dog’s diet requirements
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