Your dog is a member of your family and should be treated as such. Unfortunately, there’s a good chance that the dog food you’ve been giving your pet isn’t as high quality as it should be.
Not all dog food is created equally. You shouldn’t necessarily just grab the cheapest one that you can find.
It’s important to know what you are putting in your dog’s body and to be mindful about what ingredients are in your dog’s food.
Fortunately, there are still a number of great and affordable options that will ensure your dog lives a happy and healthy life.
What to Look For
What ingredients should you look for in dog food?
Most pet owners don’t know what should or shouldn’t be in their pet’s food. Your dog will likely end up eating the same food every day, so it’s important that the dog food you choose has everything your dog needs to be healthy.
It’s important to remember that ingredients are listed in order of concentration. As a result, you should look for dog food which has meat as its first ingredient.
Try to avoid options with low-quality grains listed as the first ingredient, like corn or wheat.
Additionally, you should try to stay away from foods that contain artificial preservatives and watch out for BHA, BHT, and ethoxyquin. While natural preservatives can be okay, synthetic preservatives can be very harmful to your dog’s overall health.
Lastly, always be sure to AAFCO statement on the label of dog foods. This will help you find options that contain all the nutrients your dog needs to be healthy.
Types of Dog Food
Aside from ingredients, you also have to choose between three main types of dog food. These are:
- Dry Food
- Canned Food
- Raw Food
Dry food is a very common choice. It’s often inexpensive, long-lasting, and contains all essential vitamins and minerals. The primary concern with dry food is that it often contains preservatives to make it last longer. It’s important to be mindful of this and check to make sure your dry food does not contain harmful preservatives.
Raw food is typically considered the best option. It is al natural, contains plenty of nutrients, and lets you know exactly what is in your dog’s food. However, raw food is generally more expensive than other options.
Lastly, canned food is often healthier than dry food as it is often higher in protein without any of the preservatives. This option can also be quite expensive but is often worth the cost.
You can also try using a combination of all three options to give your dog a well-rounded diet.
Search for High-Quality Dog Food
You should always shop for dog food with your dog’s health in mind. By knowing what ingredients to look for and which ones to avoid, you can help make sure that your dog lives a long and healthy life.
If you’re interested in looking for new food for your dog, all it takes is a quick search to find affordable, high-quality options.
Be sure to research and compare at least three different options to find the perfect option for your furry friend.