Dogs provide ultimate companionship and loyalty and fully depend on you, as the owner, to provide the same in return. There are tons of dog foods out there with all sorts of varying formulas all claiming to be the best. That is why you may want to put in a little research time to find out what is really best for your dog.
However, a long and healthy life for your furry friend is totally worth the effort, right. This article will help you compare dog foods and get your dog started on a healthy and nutritious diet just as you would want for yourself or any other family member.
What to Look For In a Good Dog Food
You want to thoroughly check the ingredients of any dog food. First, make sure that a good meat source is one of the first three ingredients listed (the higher up, the better). Human grade meat is best, but the packaging will not specify this information due to the Association of American Feed Control Officials’ (AAFCO) standards.
Online dog food review sources will have this information available. A great source of such information, along with essentially anything else you may want to know about a particular dog food, is www.dogfoodscoop.com.
Next, look to see how many ingredients are listed before the first appearance of a fat source. There should be at least ten before you reach a fat source and the more, the merrier. Any grains present in the food should be healthy ones and grain-free diets are ideal.
It is not imperative that a dog get fruits and vegetables in their diet, but it is certainly an added bonus if good sources like sweet potatoes, carrots, blueberries, or cranberries are present.
What to Avoid Feeding Your Dog
The meat source in a dog’s diet is the most important part. Be wary of the use of the terms “meat” or “meat meal” if the actual type of meat is not mentioned. Also, avoid the term “by-product” at all costs.
Evade non-specified fat sources, like “meat fat” that have no health benefits as opposed to sources like olive oil or chicken fat, for example. Avoid foods that have excessive grain content and fillers like wheat gluten meal and ground corn.
These items are just empty caloric content that do not add any nutritious value to the food and will hold the food back from keeping your dog happily full throughout the day. Also, stay completely away from onions, sweeteners, and artificial colors, flavors and preservatives.
It can be difficult to wade through the sea of dog food options and spot the difference between the good choices and the bad ones at first glance.
Take the time to understand what is good for your dog and what is not so you can make an educated decision and provide a well-balanced diet for your canine companion. Even if it costs a little more than you expected, it will easily make up for it in the happiness and energy your pet exhibits as well as possible evaded vet bills. Your dog will thank you for it!