Choosing your dog’s food is one of the most important things you will do for them. Their overall health and wellbeing depends on their diet, they need nutrients from the food they eat, and with so many choices it can be tricky to know what is right for them.
So, there are five main options you will face when you are trying to choose your pups’ food, we have compiled them into a list, and we will go through them each one by one, so you know them a little better.
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The 5 Types
Table of Contents
So there are 5 types, these are dry food, canned food, semi-moist, home cooked, and raw.
They all have their own pros and cons, and for some dogs, there might not be a clear best option, if you do not know which food your dog should be eating, It is best to consult your vet. If you are in need of another new dog, there are personal protection dogs for sale available.
Always remember, your vet will have knowledge that will help you in choosing your dog’s diet best.
Dry Dog Food (Kibble)
Dry food is probably the most popular of all dog foods, it is bought by the bag and is formed in crunchy and bite size pieces.
It is simple to keep and travels well. However, it takes little preparation aside from creating portions of the food, many owners before this because the hardness of the food is best for reduction of tartar, which gives your dog a healthy mouth.
You do not really need to be concerned about complete nutrition as all brands available provide the right nutrients, and there are many of flavors, mixtures, and age relevant choices.
However, you do need to remember, not every dry food will have the same level of nutrients, and some can be heavy on carbs which can create health problems.
Canned Food
While dry food is good, a lot of dogs rather canned dog food. If your dog is a picky eater you may switch to canned food.
These have a decent life and do not take much effort beyond opening them. Yet, it can have a rather unpleasant smell to it.
It is also more pricey than dry food, although can save if you choose to buy in bulk. Some canned foods may also have high fat and not enough protein. Even though they are not processed as much as dry food, it can also have a high water content too, which can lower the nutritional value.
You should seek out canned foods that state they are ‘ 100% complete’.
Semi Moist
Semi moist food comes in pouches that you can just pour into their bowl. This is similar to cat food pouches. It will also look a lot like meat. You should be cautious though as some of these can have artificial flavoring and even preservatives.
These are also usually rather high in salt too, as well as water and sugar.
Semi-moist foods can be more pricey than the two alternatives we already mentioned, so it is best to keep this as a treat.
Home Cooked
Then there are home cooked foods, you should prep the meals like you would prep your own. Doing this gives you the chance to give your pup a variety of tastes and textures, unlike they would have with kibble.
They will likely enjoy the food, so you will not need to tempt them into devouring it, even if they are picky.
You are in control of what goes in and how it’s cooked, so you are in total control. You do not need to be concerned about quality, and you can meet their nutritional needs. Although you should do plenty of research before you do this.
Raw
Offering raw food means you are giving your dog unprocessed and fresh food, this can include organs, raw meat, and bone. You can also provide either your own raw food, or purchase it.
If you buy it though, ensure it gives proper balance in nutrients.
There is much to say about raw food for dogs, it does meet their biological needs, however, it is not ideal for dogs who may have a poor immune system. It really does depend on your dog, it can be great, but it can cause problems. Speak to your vet first!
