Dog Food: A Guide to Feeding Your Dog

The most important thing about having a dog is choosing the right dog food! You should only pick the best for your best friend! These days there are a lot of things available but you need to choose the right one. There are different kinds of food, different brands, various packages… And you probably wonder how you will make that decision!!!! (Without knowing what you are buying, it can be harmful to your dog’s health)

Nonetheless, there are some important things you should know about dog food and dog diet. First of all, a dog diet needs to consist of proteins and amino acids, fats and fatty acids, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, and water. The most significant part of dog food is proteins. The intake of protein allows the dogs to gain the essential amino acids. Amino acids are the building blocks of the organism. Also, they take part in glucose making, from where energy comes. Even dogs themselves pick food that is high in protein.

Different types of dog food

There are several types of dog food. There is dry food, wet food, raw food, and semi-moist food. Dry foods usually contain 3-11 water and they are like kibble or pellets. Wet foods are usually 60-80 water and they are packed in cans, bags, or similar. Raw food became more popular in the last few years. However, the raw food diet is controversial. The difference between these types of food can maybe allow you to make a better choice for your pet. Dry food is more economical and can be left at room temperature for several days. Wet food goes bad quickly but it is more palatable and tastier for the dogs. After all, there is no such thing as the best food for every dog. Every dog is a different organism with its own nutritional needs. However, you should have into consideration the daily nutritional needs of your dog and your lifestyle, while choosing the type of food. In the end, your dog is the one who will eat the food and choose what it likes the best.

What are the best affordable dog food brands?

There are many dog food brands! You can choose between economical food brands, supermarket food brands, and very high-quality food brands. Some of the best brands of dry food for dogs are:

• Acana dog food
• Taste of the wild
• Pinnacle
• Hill’s Science Diet
• Orijen and there are many more!

When it comes to wet food, some of the best brands are:

• Blue Buffalo
• Against the grain
• Nature’s recipe
• Dogswell
• Ema Lou’s Homemade Kitchen and there are also many others!

The dog foods you should never feed your dog (!)

     ● Never buy any food that contains unidentified meat ingredients (meat meal, meat by-products, meat, and bone meal, animal fat, animal by-product meal). You can never know for sure where that meat comes from. It can be from meat leftovers, also it can be meat that went bad and is just remade in dog food. You can never know which animal it comes from, it can be even road kill or euthanized pet. So be warned, read the label carefully!

     ● Never buy any food that does not have “complete and balanced” on the label. Those foods that do not have that, mean that they are not complete and balanced. That means that your dog will not get the needed nutrition, which can lead to serious health issues later.

     ● Never buy any dog food that contains an excessive amount of fat. A little fat is good for your dog, however too much can also lead to health problems. Just divide the amount of fat in a dog’s food by its protein and you will get the fat-to-protein ratio. This way you can know how much fat there is in the dog food. If the ratio is high, there is a lot of fat in the food. For most dog foods that ratio is between 50-70, however when it is higher than 80 that is excessive fat. The highest fat-to-protein ratio is in canned dog foods and raw dog foods.

Why raw dog food diet is very controversial?

Raw food diet consists of muscle meat, sometimes along with the bone, raw eggs, raw vegetables like spinach, celery, and broccoli, also fruit like apples; there can be some meat like liver and kidneys, some dairy products like yogurt; and there is often bones, whole or ground. Feeding your dog with raw food is very controversial; however, it becomes very popular today. 

Raw food diet has been feeding practice for racing greyhounds and sled dogs but it extended to family pet diet since 1993. An Australian veterinarian was the first to introduce this kind of diet for pets. He suggested that grain-based commercial pet foods were harmful to dogs’ health. On the other hand, many veterinarians and the FDA disagree because there are a lot of risks in raw food diet. Supporters of the raw food diet can tell you which are some of the benefits of feeding your pet raw food. For example healthier skin, cleaner teeth, smaller stools, shinier coats, and higher energy levels. 

However, some of the risks of raw food diet include health issues when the diet is unbalanced for a longer period; there is also the potential for choking on bones, damaging the teeth, or intestinal puncture; there are also threats from bacteria in raw meat.

The importance of choosing healthy dog food

When it comes to a healthy food diet for your dog, there are three factors you need to consider: (1) Age, (2) Activity level, and (3) the Ideal weight of your dog. If you are a first-time owner, you should take advice from your vet about the ideal diet for your pet. Also, if your dog has some health problems you should feed your dog more appropriate food which will help in getting your dog better. There are foods that are low in sugar for diabetic dogs; foods that are low in protein for dogs that have digestive problems or kidney problems; foods that are low in fats for dogs that are not that active and fat. In addition, for a healthy diet, you should always give your dog the right daily amount of food.

Natural dog food recipes are the best

Natural dog food is food that is made from natural ingredients, unprocessed or processed, but not containing any additives or processing aids. Many brands these days make natural food, however, you should be careful even when the label says natural food, sometimes it has some chemical additives.

Home-made dog food recipe

It’s important to note that a complete and balanced diet is essential for your dog’s health. If you’re considering making your own dog food, it’s best to consult with a veterinarian or a veterinary nutritionist to ensure your recipes meet your dog’s specific nutritional needs. Our best recommendations are;

Turkey and Vegetable Stew

Ingredients:

• 1 pound ground turkey
• 1 sweet potato, peeled and chopped
• 1 cup chopped carrots
• 1 cup green beans, trimmed and chopped
• 1/2 cup peas
• 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
• 2 tablespoons olive oil

Instructions:

1. Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat.
2. Add the ground turkey and cook until browned, breaking up any large pieces.
3. Add the sweet potato, carrots, green beans, and peas, and stir to combine.
4. Add the chicken broth and bring it to a boil.
5. Reduce heat and simmer until the vegetables are tender and the stew has thickened about 30 minutes.
6. Allow cooling before serving.

Beef and Rice

Ingredients:

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 cup brown rice
• 1 sweet potato, peeled and chopped
• 1 cup chopped carrots
• 1 cup green beans, trimmed and chopped
• 4 cups of low-sodium beef broth

Instructions:

1. In a large pot, cook the ground beef over medium-high heat until browned.
2. Add the brown rice, sweet potato, carrots, and green beans, and stir to combine.
3. Add the beef broth and bring it to a boil.
4. Reduce heat and simmer until the rice and vegetables are tender and the mixture has thickened about 40 minutes.
5. Allow cooling before serving.

Salmon and Sweet Potato

Ingredients:

• 1 pound salmon, cooked and flaked
• 2 sweet potatoes, peeled and chopped
• 1 cup chopped carrots
• 1 cup green beans, trimmed and chopped
• 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth

Instructions:

1. In a large pot, combine the cooked salmon, sweet potatoes, carrots, and green beans.
2. Add the chicken broth and bring it to a boil.
3. Reduce heat and simmer until the vegetables are tender and the mixture has thickened about 30 minutes.
4. Allow cooling before serving.

Remember to store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator and use them within a few days. Also, it’s important to note that any dietary changes should be introduced slowly to avoid digestive upset.

Do have a cute puppy at home? learn the Basic Needs of a Puppy

In conclusion, providing your furry friend with a healthy and balanced diet is crucial for their overall well-being. While commercial dog foods are readily available and convenient, making homemade dog food can be a great alternative as you have control over the ingredients and can tailor the recipe to meet your dog’s specific dietary needs. However, it’s important to consult with a veterinarian or veterinary nutritionist before switching to homemade dog food to ensure that the recipe meets all of your dog’s nutritional requirements. By following a well-planned and balanced diet, you can help your dog live a long, healthy, and happy life.

Do not forget to share your opinions. Your experiences will guide others. Thanks for being with us.