Ruby McKenzie
Yes, dogs, our pawsome friends! Their unconditional love is unmatched. No matter how much they cuddle with you, we’re certain you’d still want more cuddles! Best of all, your furry friend could be your best buddy for those long hiking trails, running around the block, or visiting the grocery store. Honestly, we could write a blog post about how awesome these amazing furry creatures are, but we will keep our love in check and focus on what you’re here for – useful tips to select the right food for your dog.
These 10 tips will help.
Check the Ingredients List
Ingredients are listed in order of weight, so the first ingredient is what your dog will be eating the most. You want to see meat listed as the first ingredient. The second ingredient can be a carbohydrate like rice or oats, but avoid foods that list corn, soy, or wheat as the second ingredient. These are filler ingredients that don’t provide much in the way of nutrition for your dog. You can also consider providing the right amount of CBD dosage for dogs for better nutrition.
Look for the Words “Complete and Balanced”
The food should meet the nutritional requirements set forth by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO). The food must provide all the nutrients necessary for a dog to live a healthy life to meet these requirements.
Choose Single-Source Protein Foods
This means that the food only contains one kind of meat protein, such as chicken, lamb, or fish. Some foods will list “poultry meal” or “meat meal” as the protein source. This means that the food contains multiple meat proteins, which can be hard for your dog to digest.
Avoid Artificial Colors, Flavors, and Preservatives
These are all unnecessary ingredients that can be hard on your dog’s digestive system. Look for foods that use natural preservatives like vitamin E and C.
Know Your Dog’s Nutritional Needs
Dogs need more protein and fat than humans do and fewer carbohydrates. Puppies and pregnant or nursing dogs need even more calories. You can talk to your vet about how much food your dog needs based on their stage of life and activity level.
Choose the Right Food for Your Dog’s Life Stage
Puppies need food that is high in calories and nutrients to support their rapid growth. On the flip side, adult dogs require nutrition lower in calories to help them maintain a healthy weight. Senior dogs need food that is easy to digest and rich in nutrients to help them stay healthy as they age. So, decide your dog’s diet based on their age.
Consider Your Dog’s Activity Level
Active dogs need more calories than those who would rather nap on the sofa for most of the day. You can talk to your vet about how many calories your dog needs based on her activity level.
Feed Your Dog Small Meals Throughout the Day
This will help your dog digest their food better and avoid problems like bloating. If you are feeding your dog dry food, soak it in water for a few minutes before feeding to make it easier to digest.
Avoid Human Food
Human food is not balanced for a dog’s nutritional needs and can even be toxic to dogs. And although some human foods are safe for dogs, it is best to avoid feeding your dog table scraps.
Talk to Your Vet
Vets know what animals need, in what quantity, and when. If you are confused about your furry friend’s confusion or acting sick recently, a vet can help you choose the right food for your dog based on her individual needs and provide medication.
Final Word
Now that you know how to choose the best dog food, it’s time to start shopping! Remember to look for meat foods as the first complete and balanced ingredient and do not contain any artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives.
Got any questions? Ask us in the comments!
