How To Choose the Best Dog Food for Your Dog
As a dog parent, putting together a well-thought-out diet plan for your pooch is one of the most important things you can do. There are a couple of things you need to consider. You want to make sure the food is healthy for their coat and skin. The dog food you choose should strengthen your dog’s immune system. You must also make sure that it doesn’t include any elements that may negatively impact your dog’s digestive system.
The dog food must fulfill your fur baby’s nutritional needs and its taste should be appealing enough. The list is endless! If you’re a first-time dog parent, it can feel overwhelming and confusing at first. But don’t worry, we’ve got your back.
We’ve got some tips that’ll serve as a 101 on how to choose the right food for your dog amongst the endless options on the market. Let’s get started!
KNOW THEIR NUTRITIONAL NEEDS
First things first, you need to scope out your dog’s nutritional needs. Generally, there are six nutrients that every dog needs which can roughly be divided into macro and micronutrients. You need to go with dog food that includes these nutrients:
Amino acids
Your dog needs 22 amino acids for survival. Their bodies can manufacture a dozen of these amino acids. The remaining 10 are essential amino acids and must be fed to them through diet.
- Valine
- Lucine
- Lysine
- Histidine
- Arginine
- Isoleucine
- Melanin Tryptophan
- Methionine
- Threonine
- Phenylalanine
Vitamins
Make sure the dog food you buy includes all or most of the following vitamins:
- Choline
- Niacin
- Folic acid
- Riboflavin
- Pantothenic Acid
- Vitamins B1, B6, and B12
- Vitamins A, C, D, E, and K
Minerals
It should also contain small amounts of the following minerals:
- Zinc
- Iodine
- Selenium
- Iron
- Magnesium
- Sodium
- Potassium
- Calcium
- Phosphorus
- Chlorine
- Copper
- Manganese
Fats and fatty acids
Dogs cannot make omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids so they need to be consumed through diet. Secondly, make sure a variety of fats is a part of your dog’s diet as it’s an essential energy source behind all those hide-and-seek and fetch games.
Proteins
Proteins are vital for maintaining muscle and hair, regulating the immune system, and much more!
Carbohydrates
Carbs play a major role in improving intestinal health and act as a source of energy.
SYNERGIZE IT UP WITH TREATS AND LIFESTYLES
Many dog parents fail to acknowledge that treats too, are loaded with nutrients and calories. They end up treating their pooches too often, resulting in a high-caloric intake. The better approach is to feed them a nice combination of treats and dog food throughout the day. If they’re getting enough carbs for the day from the treats, make sure you purchase dog food that’s low-carb and high-protein.
CONSULT YOUR VET
If all else fails and confusion kicks in, it’s best to just simply consult your vet. Your vet knows your dog, understands the breed, and will have awareness of any special dietary needs depending on the age, size, and health of your dog.
FIND OUT WHAT YOUR DOG LIKES
Experts recommend rotating dog diets every two to three months. This means switching from one brand to another. As time passes, you’ll also get a better hang of what’s best for your dog and what he or she prefers the most!
SUMMING IT UP
Lastly, make sure you opt for dog foods that offer a complete and balanced diet. It’s also a good idea to feed your dog a combination of wet and dry foods. Doggos love canned (wet) food and most will devour it within minutes. The only disadvantage of wet food is its negative impact on teeth. So what do you do? Pair it with something crunchy and dry!