Everyone would love to feed their pet dog with the best healthy foods. There so many dog food products available in the market today and choosing food that is good for dogs can be quite difficult. There is also conflicting information out there on nutrition, diet and dog health and it is easy to feel confused and overwhelmed when buying dog foods.
The best diet for your pet dogs is real food. Real food can consist of both raw and cooked diet. The problem with pet owners it that they lack confidence, knowledge and time to prepare meals for their pet dogs, but they still want to give their pets the best healthiest food possible. Here are some tips that will help you choose the best food for your dog.
Proteins
The best protein source is the one that is highly digestible. We all know that dogs have a carnivorous nature and they love eating meat. It is important to feed them with the natural source of protein such as beef, chicken, fish and lamb. If possible you should avoid any meat by products.
Avoid Allergens
The most common source of dog food allergies are soy, corn and wheat. Some dogs are very sensitive and you should be very careful when feeding these foods. It is important to be cautious when buying dog food brands that contain the named grains. It is advisable that you look for dog food brands that use very little of these ingredients.
Avoid Preservatives
Some manufacturers use chemicals such as Butylated HydroxyToluene (BHT) and Butylated HydroxyAnisole (BHA) as dog food preservatives. These preservatives are used to give foods a longer self life. According to dog nutrition experts, these preservatives have side effects and can lead to development of some diseases like cancer in some pet dogs. In some cases they can even lead to early death. So, it is important to avoid dog foods that have the named preservatives.
Vitamin C and vitamin E are alternative natural preservatives and much healthier for your pet dog. Vitamin C contains antioxidants that help in fighting the formation of free radicals and protects dogs against cancer. You should note that dogs’ foods that are manufactured with these natural preservatives cannot stay fresh for a long time. The other alternative is freeze dried foods.
Minimal Grains
You should give your dog grains that are easy on its digestive system. Grains such as brown rice and oats are easier to digest and have more nutritional value. Good advice is to purchase foods with minimal grains ingredients.
Consider the Food Type
Canned, wet or dry are types of dog foods that have different benefits. If your dog has a constipation problem, canned food are highly recommendable. Water is very important for the health of your dog. If your dog does not drink enough water, you should give him wet food type for hydration purposes. Dry dog food type is very nutritious, convenient and also inexpensive. When buying food products for your dog, it is important to keep these three types of food in mind and choose the one that suits your dog the best.
The bottom line is that different dogs have different dietary needs. So, if you find a particular kind of food that you have chosen is not working out, it is important to go to the vet and have your dog checked. A vet will provide you with information on which food type is best for your pet dog.
