Best Dry Dog Foods: The Perfect Nutrition Source For Your Pup

Buyer's Guide: Finding Great Dry Dog Food

As a dog parent, the biggest and constant worry you have to face is properly feeding your pet. There is a whole set of decision making involved which begs your attention, such as,

• Is the food safe for the dog?
• Is it nutritious enough?
• What ingredients are good and what are not-so-good?

And this is just the tip of the iceberg! We know there are many more traps and pitfalls ready to suck you in when you buy wet or dry food for your dog. But fret not! We have put together a condensed yet comprehensive guide to help you pick the right dry food for your canine pup.

The What’s and Why’s of Dry Dog Food

Dry dog food, also known as kibbles, is a pre-packaged, processed food option, including various ingredients and preservatives. This type of food source is easily available in online marketplaces and grocery stores as it has a more extended shelf.

Apart from the dry food options for dogs, there are many other food options as well. It includes wet food, canned goods, semi-moist food, home-cooked recipes, and raw ingredients. However, dog owners are always confused regarding which dog food type is suitable for their pets. Well, the easy answer is that every dog food type has its own perks and advantage, and it also totally depends on what your pet likes and enjoys.

The Perks of Dry Dog Food

First and foremost, dry food for your canine is quite convenient to use. Yes, it has a low moisture content compared to wet dog food, but it promotes overall good dental hygiene among your pets. This formula includes a wholesome range of nutrients to improve your breed’s health and appearance. Additionally, it improves gut health and stool consistency in your dogs. If you are a busy individual and preparing palatable meals is not possible, then get dry food options for your pets.

Factors to Keep in Mind

Your dog’s age matters

Dry dog food is not a one-size, fits-all formula. You must consider your dog’s age and growth phase when selecting the dry food options. The nutrient requirement continues to change throughout the dog’s life span. And you should consistently improve and change the nutritional formula to match your pet’s needs. For instance, your adult dog requires a high dose of vitamins, minerals, and lean proteins to build muscle strength and a healthy appearance without becoming too obese.

The ingredients that make a balanced diet

Like humans, dogs also require a balanced diet to develop and grow without any deficiencies and health-related issues. Therefore, you should choose a product that contains high-quality ingredients to benefit your pet’s health. A well-balanced dry food for your fur pet should include at least 40-60% protein source.

An essential ingredient in a dry dog food formula is a protein source. Dogs can adjust to various protein sources such as beef, fish, lamb, and chicken. Additionally, the perfect dry food for your dog should also contain a complex mix of various food groups like carbs, vitamins, antioxidants, and minerals. Finally, ingredients such as fruit and vegetable extracts, fatty acids, and micronutrients also help the pet sustain their energy, improve vision, maintain glamorous skin and a luscious coat.

Consider the quality standards

Always make sure to invest in quality products when buying dry dog food for your pets. Ensure that the product contains no harmful ingredients and by-products that compromise your pet’s life. Similarly, avoid buying extremely cheap dry food products for your pup because they might contain only cereal grains, poultry waste, and animal-based powders.

Providing premium quality dry food to your dog requires a specific budget and investment. Of course, the best ingredients result in better dog health, but it also becomes a bit pricier. Therefore, do not expect good nutrients from awfully cheap products. Instead, scour the resources for affordable and reputable brands, but do not compromise on the quality standards for your dog food.

Consider the manufacture and expiration dates

Whenever you are buying a dry food product, always remember to check the manufacturing and expiry date. You do not want your dog to consume a product that has been sitting on the shelves for ages. Since the food ingredients have a shelf of their own, a product with close expiration might go through physical and chemical changes developing molds and bacterias. Therefore, always get the freshest and top-quality food package for your pet’s safety.

Deciphering the labels

The dog owner must understand and decipher what the labels on the dog’s dry food products mean. The order of ingredients on a label is extremely important for the pet owner. The ingredient that is mentioned on top of the content list has a higher percentage. For instance, if the product advertises that it contains real meat sources, which is mentioned fourth or fifth on the list, then it is simply a marketing gimmick. So the major ingredients, such as protein, are the ones that should be in the highest order, followed by the necessary mineral, vitamin sources, flavoring, additives, and preservatives. The ingredients at the lowest order contain a minimum concentration of up to 1% only.

Essential Tips to Remember When Buying Dog Food

• Always Research and experiment! Just because your neighbor’s pet loves a particular dry dog food brand does not mean that dog will appreciate it too. Research and explore various nutritious options to find the perfect food solution that your canine friend likes and appreciates.
• Always consider your pet’s age and developmental milestone when zeroing in on a nutrition source or a brand.
• Remember that the nutritional requirement varies for each dog breed.
• If you are testing out dry dog food brands for your pup, do not buy in bulk. Instead, start with small food packs first to ensure that your dog appreciates them.