There are a lot of food options for canines. However, if you want to know what the best food for dogs is, you must consider a lot of factors. The best food for your dog may depend on your dog’s age, health condition and food preferences.
Dry Dog Food
The dry dog food is preferred by a lot of pet owners, as it is a practical and economical solution.
Dry food can cater for all the nutritional needs of your dog. However, the kibble food contains a high percentage of sugar and flour or other fillers that may not be healthy for dogs with diabetes or obese pets.
The dry food contains a maximum of 10% moisture and may be difficult to digest and assimilate for dogs that have a kidney problem.
The kibble food is also helpful for the dog’s dental hygiene; it may clean off the plaque deposits from your dog’s teeth. The plaque deposits may turn into calculus and cause gum disease and tooth decay.
Wet Dog Food
Wet food contains more water and can be a great choice for puppies and dogs with liver or kidney problems. Wet food promotes a healthy digestion and contains more fibers and fewer carbohydrates.
Wet food is not practical, as it can get spoiled if left outside and is more expensive than dry food.
Wet food has one main disadvantage for the dog’s teeth: it does not remove plaque. Opt for a few additional chew treats in case your pet is on a wet diet.
Raw Food for Canines
Raw food for dogs can be a good source of proteins and fats and may provide the needed nutrients for your dog. Talk to your vet about the optimal amounts of food and percentages of protein, fat and fibers that you need to give to your dog on a daily basis.
However, a raw diet may create digestive problems for dogs that suddenly switch from dry food to raw diet.
A raw diet may also be dangerous, as some uncooked meats may carry certain parasites or diseases. Ensure that you get your meat from a reliable butcher.
Fruits and vegetables are a great source of fibers, but you also must wash them thoroughly to prevent the infection with certain parasites.
At Home Food
Your dog may also receive home cooked meals, as long as you make sure that these contain the right amounts of proteins, fats and fibers.
Many pet owners don’t have the time to prepare meals for their pets, so home cooked food is not a popular option, but can be healthy.
You shouldn’t feed your dog table scraps or bones, as these are unhealthy and may cause organ punctures.
In some cases, if the dog has cancer, kidney problems of digestive problems, you may have to switch to home made food.
All types of dog food have advantages and disadvantages. You can choose one type of dog food for your pet and this may work as a lifetime solution; in other cases, some medical conditions or aging may dictate a switch to different types of food.