With a massive range of dog foods on the market, it is difficult for pet owners to know which food to buy for their dog.
Supermarkets have their own products as well as stocking well known pet food brands, all of which claim to be beneficial for your dog.
But which is the right one for you? There are several considerations to adhere to when choosing the right dog food.
How old is the dog? How big is it? How active is it? All of these factors will have an impact on which pet food will be right for your dog.
With animal care a top priority for most pet owners, this is one of the most important things to get right for the health of your pet.
On average, a good dog food will contain 22-25% protein and 15-19% fat.
These may seem like simple guidelines but there are good and bad sources of protein and fat that many pet food makers include in their products.
Good ingredients include meat meal, rice, potatoes, vegetables and sunflower oil.
Vitamins and fatty acids including Vitamin E and Omega 3 and 6 are also essential as they keep the dog's skin and coat healthy.
Meat meals like chicken, lamb and fish describe the cooked down version of the protein.
If the label says chicken only, this includes the whole bird, beak, feathers, feet and all! Avoiding the animal's by-products is healthier for your dog.
Dog foods to avoid are those high in preservatives, wheat and corn, soy and gluten.
These ingredients are difficult for dogs to digest which can cause long term health problems.
Checking the label thoroughly will ensure that you stay away from these ingredients and include only good cuts of meat and healthy vegetables.
Some dogs may have heath conditions or be old.
If your dog is either of these things, you may need to consult your veterinary practitioner in case there are specific dietary requirements that you need to consider.
Prescription diets sometimes need to be followed and although they can be expensive, they are the best provider of the nutrients that your dog needs.
Unfortunately, price is often a good indicator of what dog foods are good or bad for your dog.
Cheap dog food often contains poor quality products and low levels of the nutrients vital to your dog's health.
Good dog foods are more expensive precisely because they are good, and finer ingredients cost more.
Animal care is the most important factor to consider if you have decided to own a pet.
You need to look after it for its entire life.
This means buying the best food for it you can.
You wouldn't feed your children a chicken beak, so why feed your dog one.
While all this information might be confusing, you can get specific advice for your dog from your vet, pet food shops, dog breeders and trainers, as all of these organisations have animal care as their top priority.
Go online to find a website dedicated to pet health information which can provide you with your nearest veterinary practise, pet food supplier and answer any questions you have about looking after your dog.
Supermarkets have their own products as well as stocking well known pet food brands, all of which claim to be beneficial for your dog.
But which is the right one for you? There are several considerations to adhere to when choosing the right dog food.
How old is the dog? How big is it? How active is it? All of these factors will have an impact on which pet food will be right for your dog.
With animal care a top priority for most pet owners, this is one of the most important things to get right for the health of your pet.
On average, a good dog food will contain 22-25% protein and 15-19% fat.
These may seem like simple guidelines but there are good and bad sources of protein and fat that many pet food makers include in their products.
Good ingredients include meat meal, rice, potatoes, vegetables and sunflower oil.
Vitamins and fatty acids including Vitamin E and Omega 3 and 6 are also essential as they keep the dog's skin and coat healthy.
Meat meals like chicken, lamb and fish describe the cooked down version of the protein.
If the label says chicken only, this includes the whole bird, beak, feathers, feet and all! Avoiding the animal's by-products is healthier for your dog.
Dog foods to avoid are those high in preservatives, wheat and corn, soy and gluten.
These ingredients are difficult for dogs to digest which can cause long term health problems.
Checking the label thoroughly will ensure that you stay away from these ingredients and include only good cuts of meat and healthy vegetables.
Some dogs may have heath conditions or be old.
If your dog is either of these things, you may need to consult your veterinary practitioner in case there are specific dietary requirements that you need to consider.
Prescription diets sometimes need to be followed and although they can be expensive, they are the best provider of the nutrients that your dog needs.
Unfortunately, price is often a good indicator of what dog foods are good or bad for your dog.
Cheap dog food often contains poor quality products and low levels of the nutrients vital to your dog's health.
Good dog foods are more expensive precisely because they are good, and finer ingredients cost more.
Animal care is the most important factor to consider if you have decided to own a pet.
You need to look after it for its entire life.
This means buying the best food for it you can.
You wouldn't feed your children a chicken beak, so why feed your dog one.
While all this information might be confusing, you can get specific advice for your dog from your vet, pet food shops, dog breeders and trainers, as all of these organisations have animal care as their top priority.
Go online to find a website dedicated to pet health information which can provide you with your nearest veterinary practise, pet food supplier and answer any questions you have about looking after your dog.
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