Dogs are a man’s best friend, or, so they say. They are loyal, friendly, and very cuddly! No matter what age, they’ll still be the most loyal and loving in all their life stages.
They warm our hearts just as the day they came into our life. Thus, we need to take good care of them and spend every moment you can with your dog.
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Our dog friends might be very cuddly, but when it comes to food, they’ll eat just about anything! Although tempting, try to think like an expert and don’t practice this habit.
Food should be thought of very carefully, especially when feeding such delicate creatures. So what exactly are the components of dog food, and how can these be important in your dog’s diet?
Fat
What dog owners really need to know about dog food is that dogs LOVE fat. It’s what makes food taste a lot better. All kinds of meat contain animal fat that dogs absolutely love to eat. If you look at the dog food labels, the nutrients present in large amounts in good dog food are protein and fat.
If popular dog food brands think fat is so important, your dog might feel the same.
However, when shopping for the best dog foods, be mindful of how the nutrients are balanced. Don’t go for brands that have too much fat. Your dogs need their protein too.
Meat
Who in this world doesn’t like meat? Vegans, sure. But for omnivores such as dogs, you might want to consider putting it more in their diet.
Luckily, the best dog food brands include ample amounts of meat in making dog food. So this won’t be much of a problem.
The real issue is which animal protein is being used in making dog food. Always make sure to look at the ingredient list to see if the dog food brand used fresh and quality ingredients.
As you dog owners know, meat contains protein. And protein is an energy source for dogs. Feeding your dog delicious, meaty, and energy filling food isn’t a bad thing.
Like all products, you must be careful of the brand that you choose to feed your dog. Choose only premium and the best dry or wet dog food for your dogs.
Fruits and Veggies
All fruits and veggies aren’t for all people. That includes dogs too. Not every dog appreciates the taste, and some fruits and veggies are, frankly, bad for your pets. But it is essential for dogs to receive nutrients that they need for their body–other than protein and fat–to be able to meet their nutritional needs.
Adding these healthy options to your dog’s diet might liven up their meal. Try to mix it in with their current dog food and some other food additions you might want to add.
A food bowl full of nutrients is delicious to look at, and what’s more, it can provide your dogs with a complete and balanced diet.
Royal Canin
This top-rated dog food brand has been around for quite a long time. During these years, Royal Canin’s journey in providing premium dog foods to all kinds of dogs has been quite bumpy, but still, the company strives to keep its brand focused on dogs with health issues.
Royal Canin is one of a few brands that cater to a variety of food options for dogs. Dogs of large and small breed can benefit from the high-quality dog food that Royal Canin offers.
A few pros of this dog food are:
This brand offers wet and dry dog food that is suitable for large and giant adult dogs as well as small breeds. Besides breed size, the brand also covers those dogs with sensitive skin or needing more omega fatty acids to complete their nutritional needs.
Blue Buffalo
Just like Royal Canin, Blue Buffalo offers a selection of canned and dry puppy food for you to choose from.
Choosing the right puppy food is important since your puppies are growing at a rapid rate. An excellent source of nutrients is a must for them to have complete and balanced nutrition.
What you fur parents need to know about Blue Buffalo is that they formulate their dog foods to maintain high quality. Most of the ingredients used in making their dog food are natural and of high quality.
One animal protein that Blue Buffalo uses is fresh chicken. Their ingredient list varies in flavor and category. This makes sure that the needed nutrients like omega fatty acids, protein, and fat are of high quality.
A few pros of this dog food are:
If you want your puppy to experience the best dog food, you should try some of the formulations of Blue Buffalo.
Wellness Core Senior Dog Food
Wellness pet food makes food for cats and dogs. Quality is best assured when a brand like Wellness takes the high ground and actually get things done.
What do you look for when you shop at local stores for your dog food? Your one priority should be the ingredients used.
Lucky for you, Wellness uses natural ingredients and leaves fillers out of their list. This is a good indication that the brand cares for the utmost quality of their product. And since senior dogs are prone to sickness, Wellness provides the nutrients they need to intake to have healthy skin and a strong immune system.
A few pros of this dog food are:
Did you know that each breed of dog has specific dietary needs? Learn more about the best dog food for german shepherds. Orijen
Just like Wellness Pet Food, Orijen also offers food for cats and dogs. As well as different dog food options like wet food or dry dog food.
Orijen has 3 principles that they like to keep:
A few pros of this dog food are:
You never have to worry about low-quality food to make sure that your dog healthy. Try Orijen to be part of the few fur parents that provide the best dry dog food to their furry friends. One dog food at a time.
Hill’s Science Diet
Hill’s Science Diet is no stranger to making perfectly formulated dog foods. Experts like veterinarians and pet nutritionists are almost always involved in the making of these dog food.
The company values the sciences and would gladly take any expert’s opinion, especially based on food. Unlike any other brand, Hill’s Science Diet listens to a veterinarian.
This brand offers a variety of options. Some prefer dry, and some prefer wet food, which isn’t a bad thing. What kind to feed your dogs is entirely up to you and to your pet’s preferences. Most of their food provides many vitamins and omega fatty acids for your dog’s skin and coat health.
A few pros of this dog food are:
If you haven’t given it much thought, we recommend Hill’s Science Diet wet dog food. They offer different kinds according to size, age, and medical condition that your pet dog will need.
Answers Detailed Raw Frozen Dog Food
Answers Detailed is a good choice to start when trying out raw frozen dog food. Your dog might take a liking to it! A few fur parents actually had a great experience with the product. If you’re planning to ride along with the wave, we’re here to make sure you’re all set.
This brand created 4 formulas for raw dog food; Beef, pork, turkey, and chicken. The chicken formula is made with real chicken parts and is listed as the first ingredient in their ingredient list. How important is this? Well, chicken is home to essential amino acids that your dog will definitely need to sustain them.
Other than real chicken, there are a number of ingredients listed in their ingredient list. Most of them are organic, which is already a sign of high-quality dog food.
As far as nutrition goes, the chicken formula contains a hefty protein and fat amount, amounting to a whopping ratio of 77% and having a percentage of 41, 31, and 20 for protein, fat, and carbs, respectively. This is not a bad ratio, especially considering that the product doesn’t contain protein boosters.
A few pros of this dog food are:
Despite raw food being a controversial pick for some, as far as quality goes, Answers Detailed might change your mind.
Taste of the Wild
Budget-friendly dog food has never been this close to premium! Taste of the Wild dog foods is worth trying when you’re tight on a budget.
Taste of the Wild offers dog food that caters to the instinctive needs of dogs. The ingredients used in making their dog food are from premium meat products like wild boar, bison, white fish, and other ingredients that aren’t grown domestically.
The brand offers varied choices depending on your need. Whatever life stage your dog is in, Taste of the Wild has got you covered. Grain-free dog foods are even available for dogs that have sensitive tummies.
A few pros of this dog food are:
If you’re tight on budget and have a dog eating less than what they’re required to, try switching to Taste of the Wild dog foods. You get more for less and higher quality than most cheap dog foods on the market!
The Farmer’s Dog
This brand has been one of the few fresh dog food providers on the market. They’ve been making nothing but quality fresh dog food for little pups everywhere!
The Farmer’s Dog has an original blend that will make your dog crazy! This human grade dog food ensures that your pup will get all the nutrients that they need from just one formula.
A few pros of this dog food is are:
However, despite how fresh and high the quality of this dog food is, those owners who have a lower budget on their hands might have a hard time getting this product as it costs slightly higher than average.
Although if you have a budget that’s allows for it, consider getting The Farmer’s Dog to meet your dog’s nutritional needs. Having fresh, premium, and human-grade dog food that fits just right with your pup will leave you satisfied.
Smaller dogs have higher energy levels and metabolism rates compared to large breeds. This accounts for a dog food option that can sustain that need for them.
Nulo Freestyle offers dog foods that can supply these particular needs for your small pooch.
Their product can contain up to 39% protein and an ample amount of fat. The protein to fat ratio can go up to 55%, depending on the formula chosen. And this brand offers dog foods that are suitable for all life stages, which is pretty convenient.
A few pros of this dog food are:
If you have a small dog full of energy, consider Nulo Freestyle to provide the energy they need. Although the product is excellent, it is a little pricey. If that’s not a problem for you, then go ahead and try Nulo Freestyle.
Purina Pro Plan
Purina has been around for decades. They are providing dogs all kinds of choices for their daily nutrition. But if there’s one thing Purina excels at making, it’s dog food specifically for large breed dogs.
The Purina Pro Plan dog food is made for large dogs. Since large dogs have different nutritional needs, this dog food offers a different set of nutrients, particularly supporting joint health, muscle conditioning, immune health.
Although this dog food is for large adult dogs specifically, Purina offers a wide variety of food ranging from puppy to adult dog food.
A few pros of this dog food are:
If you’re looking to find a balanced dog food that provides a fair amount of nutrition for your big doggy, consider getting Purina’s Pro Plan for your dog’s diet.
Do you have a dog with dietary restrictions due to diabetes? Finding the right kind of food can help them live a longer life.
Ollie
Ollie dog food is one of the top-ranking quality and freshly cooked dog food in many sites to date. Their recipes are formulated by a veterinarian and are cooked fresh ready to eat when delivered in packages.
This dog food prides itself in having absolutely no artificial flavoring and preservatives included in their dog food products.
Ollie only works with natural ingredients that bring out the best-tasting flavors that dogs will surely love. Ollie’s recipes are packed a punch and are filled with nutrients such as amino acids and protein. These nutrients will keep your dog strong and healthy. And what’s more, is that it includes omega-3 oils to add that glimmering shine to your dog’s coat—also keeping their skin soft as a baby.
If you’re second thoughts about your current dog food choice, Ollie will come and save you from your worries. Try Ollie, a human-grade dog food, and you might thank the heavens for this creation.
Wellness Core Grain Free
Wellness has long been an established quality pet food provider. This brand makes sure that their product line of pet foods are of the best quality.
This dog food is one of the many veterinarian-recommended dog foods around. Having grain-free and no by-products included in the ingredients is a highly recommended brand by many experts in the field. They even offer limited ingredient dog food for dogs that have medical conditions.
This particular dog food contains probiotics and a healthy blend of fatty acids to help support your dog’s skin, coat, digestion, joint, and overall health.
It’s safe to say that they’re one of the best dry dog food providers on the market.
Diamond Naturals
The Diamond Naturals brand may not be the highest quality, but this dog food can be classified as a mid-tier quality for a low price!
Although grain inclusive, the brand provides a decent mix of proteins and grains, with proteins that feature beef as the first ingredient and mid-quality grains like white rice.
Like all the other brands in this list, Diamond Naturals also include a healthy mix of vitamins and fatty acids that will improve your dog’s health as a whole.
So if you’re really tight on budget but still want an option that provides the best care for your dog, try to switch to Diamond Naturals for a budget-friendly and quality dog food.
Canidae Pure
Canidae offers dog food with limited ingredients to ensure the best health benefits that your pooch will get from their diet while catering to their sensitive stomachs.
This brand has always been known to include only real and quality meat as their priority ingredient. It also includes other red meats for protein enrichment, helping your dog’s body grow lean and strong. And have you know, only 7-10 ingredients were used in making this product, which is very impressive considering the benefits it carries.
And like most of the brands listed here, this dog food is included with probiotics and is free from corn, wheat, and soy. Only the healthiest choice of grains for the health of fine breed (or non-breed) dogs!
And when you thought it couldn’t get any better, Canidae also makes different formulas for different life stages. All are made from fresh chicken, lamb, salmon, and wild boar.
Take our word for this awesome product and try Canidae Pure for your dog’s diet.
Merrick
Merrick’s product line of dry dog food is one of the top-ranking organic dog food recipes. And are made with real and de-boned proteins that build muscles and maintain your dogs’ high energy levels.
Most of their recipes are also made grain-free and organically sourced. This makes it easier and more accessible to those dogs that have certain issues with eating cheap grains.
With Merrick’s dog food filled with so much nutrition like fatty acids, proteins, and probiotics, it’ll definitely make your dogs more energetic, have healthier joints, digestion, and basically an overall healthy life.
If your dog is constantly itching it may be a sign of a larger health-related issue. The best and the only way to find the right food for your dog is to experiment with what they like.
When you have a picky dog, be prepared to waste a few good foods just because it’s not the right one for them. It’s all part of the pains of being a fur parent, but you shouldn’t worry too much. The gains out-rightly overrule the pains of it all.
Try to observe how they eat. You can try putting just a few on their bowl to see if they eat it. If not, try to note the protein source, flavor, and texture before trying another. This is a good way to know what they don’t like to eat and also to avoid buying the same ones when shopping for another pack.
Try both wet and dry food and see if which of the two your pup likes better. If both go untouched, pack it up and try another brand.
If you’ve already tried everything and still no progress has been made, try to make their meals more delicious by enhancing the flavor. You can do this by adding a few cooked protein bits like chicken and beef or adding probiotics specifically for dogs.
| Dog Size | Weight | Recommended Portions |
|---|---|---|
| Toy Dogs (Less than 10 lbs) | 3 lbs | 1/3 Cup per day |
| Toy Dogs (Less than 10 lbs) | 6 lbs | 1/2 Cup per day |
| Small Dogs (10 lbs – 20 lbs) | 10 lbs | 3/4 Cup per day |
| Small Dogs (10 lbs – 20 lbs) | 15 lbs | 1 Cup per day |
| Small Dogs (10 lbs – 20 lbs) | 20 lbs | 1 2/3 Cup per day |
| Medium Dogs (30 lbs – 50 lbs) | 30 lbs | 1 3/4 Cup per day |
| Medium Dogs (30 lbs – 50 lbs) | 40 lbs | 2 1/4 Cup per day |
| Medium Dogs (30 lbs – 50 lbs) | 50 lbs | 2 2/3 Cup per day |
| Large Dogs (60 lbs – 100 lbs) | 60 lbs | 3 cups per day |
| Large Dogs (60 lbs – 100 lbs) | 70 lbs | 3 1/2 cups per day |
| Large Dogs (60 lbs – 100 lbs) | 80 lbs | 3 3/4 cups per day |
| Large Dogs (60 lbs – 100 lbs) | 90 lbs | 4 1/4 cups per day |
| Large Dogs (60 lbs – 100 lbs) | 100 lbs | 4 1/2 cups per day |
| Large Dogs (60 lbs – 100 lbs) | 100+ 10 lbs | Add extra 1/3 cup per 10 pounds |
Feeding your pooch shouldn’t just be done willy nilly. There should be rules to follow if you want them to grow like they’re intended to.
The question of “how much” varies according to factors that should be considered. Dogs are fed differently according to age, weight, and medical conditions.
When feeding according to weight, you need to classify what your dog’s weight category falls under. There are four weight classes, which are toy dog, small, medium, and large.
Toy Dogs are dogs that are under 10 pounds and should be fed depending on their specific weight. In this case:
Small Dogs weigh around 10 to 20 pounds. It’s important to know the difference between toy dogs and small dogs to give your pup a proper diet. Now, small dogs are typically fed:
Medium dogs, on the other hand, need more compared to the ones weighed lower than them. They typically weigh around 30 to 50 pounds.
Lastly are large dogs, which weigh around 60 to 100+ pounds. They’re easily identified, which wouldn’t be a problem if you feed large breeds properly.
When feeding according to age, it’s not as precise as the one above, but certain measurements still follow.
| Age | Feeding Frequency |
|---|---|
| 4 weeks | small amounts twice a day |
| 8 weeks and beyond | regualar amounts twice a day |
Feeding puppies:
| Age | Feeding Frequency |
|---|---|
| 7 months | regular amounts twice a day |
| 1 year (for large breeds) | regular to large amounts twice a day |
Feeding adults:
Feeding your pups isn’t an easy thing to do. You’ll have to avoid giving them scraps, which is difficult to avoid, especially when they’re giving you puppy eyes. But, just follow this feeding guide and steer clear from any scraps, and your pooch will grow just fine.
Most of the brands in this list are guaranteed to be of high quality and should do the job when expected to provide nutrition for your doggy friends.
Remember to gradually introduce the food if you’re trying out something new for your pups. This way, they’ll appreciate it better when they’ve fully transitioned to your food choice.
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