Choosing the right type of food for your
dog can be overwhelming, to say the least. With so many options out there, it
can be difficult to know what to choose. If you’re new to owning a dog and are
unsure about how to proceed, start with the tips below.
What Food Is Best for My Dog?
These days, dog food comes in a variety of
shapes, sizes, and styles. Ranging from canned to dehydrated to kibble, knowing
which type to choose in a sea of choices can be daunting. The best way to take
charge is to become knowledgeable about the different types available.
Alternatively, ask a vet from the likes of petnestanimalhospital.com as
they can assess your dog and give recommendations based on breed, size,
disposition, and overall health.
Kibble
Kibble is essentially dry dog food, and it is
one of the most common types available. This type of food is made by mixing wet
and dry ingredients together to form a dough. It is then cooked at high
temperatures and cut into bite-sized pieces. The downside to kibble is that it
often lacks nutrients because it is highly processed. So, while kibble is
convenient (and good for your pup’s teeth), you might want to use this
sparingly.
Raw
Raw food gives you complete control over
your dog’s diet. However, cooking all their meals is time-consuming as it
involves a lot of prep time. While giving them a raw diet that is hand-selected
and prepared by you is a healthy idea, bear in mind the amount of time it takes
to buy ingredients and prepare them. Raw food also runs a higher risk of
pathogen contamination from the likes of salmonella or E. coli.
Canned
Canned is another popular option,
especially because dogs love wet food. Another benefit of canned food is that
it is often high in protein. However, some commercial options can be high in
water (as much as 75%),
which lowers the overall nutrition. Canned food can sometimes be expensive, so
it might be another one to use occasionally.
Dehydrated
One of the newest forms of dog food to
enter the market in recent years is dehydrated. This type of food is often
considered the healthiest because many of the nutrients are maintained during
the drying process. Dehydrated dog food makers also tend to use all-natural, high-quality
ingredients, making it a great option. Drying the food also has the benefit of
removing the risk of pathogens.
Which Foods are Safe?
Along with their regular diet, it’s also
important to know which foods are safe or harmful for your pooch. For example,
if you want to give your dog human foods, the following are safest:
·
· Most meats (especially chicken, turkey, and beef)
· Fruits and vegetables (especially carrots, green beans, sweet potatoes, apples, and bananas)
· Peanut butter
· Carob
· Plain yogurt (especially Greek)
On the other hand, avoid the following foods as they are known to be dangerous to dogs:
· Chocolate
· Grapes/raisins
· Onions
· Pits and seeds from fruits/vegetables
· Alcoholic drinks or foods
· Caffeinated drinks or foods
· Macadamia nuts
· Yeast dough
· Xylitol (sweetener found in sugar-free or reduced-sugar foods)
· Moldy or rotten food
· Fatty foods
Salty foods