Every dog is different, just like humans. This is why every dog has different nutritional requirements. In order to keep your dog healthy, you must choose healthy dog food. This means when you decide the type of dog food, you must consider the size and age of your dog with many other things. Below we have listed some points that can aid you in choosing good quality dog food.
- The dog food should be nutritious
First of all, the dog food you choose must have a lot of nutrients, including proteins, carbohydrates, fiber, vitamins, and minerals. This will make your dog happy and healthy. Protein is the most vital ingredient in dog food. It should definitely be present in the dog food you choose.
The dog food can also have real meat products, such as liver meat and heart meat, or you can include several proteins in your dog’s diet. Carbohydrates are also crucial for your dog’s diet. They are found in products like barley, corn, wheat, oats, green vegetables such as broccoli and spinach, etc.
- Check out the food label
When you buy commercial dog food, make sure you read the food label on the packaging. The label will inform you if the dog food brand you’re choosing is healthy or not. You must look at the ingredients to find familiar ones, such as some type of grains and meat.
If the dog food has several byproducts, then it might not be that much healthy for your dog. Make sure you avoid dog foods that use a lot of preservatives as well as those that don’t have the type of meat in their list of ingredients.
- Search for the AAFCO stamp
Dog foods that are stamped by AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials) have an honest label than others. This organization controls the guidelines for labeling dog foods. An AAFCO label shows that you’re buying a good quality dog food with no hidden ingredients. However, the label is not a guarantee or is not foolproof that the dog food is healthy. You must read the list of ingredients given on the packaging, consult your vet, and look at the online reviews before purchasing particular dog food.
- Know your dog’s age
You must choose a dog food type as per the age of your dog. For instance, if you have a puppy, you must buy a puppy chow and if you have an older dog, then you must buy dog food that is specially made for senior dogs. This is because dogs of these ages have particular dietary requirements that can’t be fulfilled with standard dog foods.
If you have a puppy, you should feed it a mixture of dry and wet food. Plus, the food should have 25% to 30% protein. And, if you own an older dog, you should consult your vet before starting a senior diet. Big breed dogs require senior diet a bit early than other dogs.
So, these are some of the tips for selecting healthy commercial food for your dog. You should keep these considerations in mind before buying dog food. Feeding your dog with a good, balanced, and complete dog food will keep your dog strong and healthy.