Top 5 Pet Foods for your Dog
November 2, 2014
by Natalie Secretan
When it comes to the health of your dog, a good place to start is with a nutritious diet and a high quality pet food.
When your dog is still a puppy, it will need a high-energy diet to help with muscle and bone development. Puppy food is usually higher in calories than adult food, so make sure you switch to an adult food once your puppy is fully mature. Nothing will age your dog faster than being overweight.
While many considerations come into play when buying a dog food like price, quality and ingredients, bear in mind that the extra money you spend on high quality food, you’ll save in vet bills.
Other considerations may include choosing grain-free pet food or organic products or even vegetarian or homemade diets. All of these options are available and perfectly acceptable provided you do your research and include a well-balanced diet for your dog or cat. And be careful not to over-supplement your pet. Most pet foods are scientifically formulated to provide all the vitamins and minerals your dog or cat needs.
Top 5 Pet Foods for your Dog
Taste of the Wild – dry dog food, made with real roasted meat, grain-free, high in antioxidants and supplemented with real fruits and vegetables. A 30-lb bag costs about $45 through Amazon.
Wellness Core Original Formula – grain-free, dry dog food, contains no meat by-products, wheat, corn, soy, artificial colors, flavours or preservatives. A 26-lb bag (pack of 2) costs about $52.
Hill’s Science Diet Adult Advanced Fitness Original – the #1 choice of American Veterinarians, a 38.5-lb bag of dry dog food costs about $39.
Dick Van Patten’s Natural Balance Ultra Premium – available in a variety of formats from smaller breeds to older adults, a 30-lb bag costs about $47.
Royal Canin – scientifically formulated for different breeds in mind, this dog food is also available in veterinarian formulas like the Gastro Intestinal dry food that I get for my 16-year Chihuahua who has IBS. This is my brand of choice and is a little bit more expensive than most but the recommended feeding portions are lower than cheaper brands so it all works out in the end.
All of these brands also manufacture pet food for cats and most of them offer wet food too. I find that wet food gives my dogs a lot of gas, so I use it sparingly in her Kong as a treat to supplement her diet rather than forming the main dish. Every pet is different and you might find you have to experiment before you find a pet food that your dog or cat loves. Just make sure the transition from one food to another is gradual to avoid stomach upset and diarrhea.
References: Bruce Fogle, Dog: The Definitive Guide for Dog Owners (New York: Firefly Books, 2010).
Photo Credit: Yoshi Huang