What is the best dog food? Choosing the best dog food requires a little information. The best choice depends on the size of the breed and the dog’s age. Weight and physical health should also be taken into consideration. Simply choosing canned, dry or moist might not be as easy as you think. Here are a few suggestions.
What is the best dog food for a puppy? Puppy chow is obviously the best choice for a puppy. It should contain all of the nutrients that are needed for growing bones and developing organs. Just like a baby, they need softer food, because their teeth are not fully developed. If you choose to feed dry, you will need to moisten it, at least at first. For a freshly weaned pup, there is special “puppy milk” that has reduced lactose to prevent stomach upset and diarrhea.
When choosing the best dog food for adult dogs, you need to consider the size of the breed. Small kibble is more easily chewed and digested by small dogs. Larger breeds may enjoy larger kibble. If your dog has digestive problems (tends to throw up after meals or has frequent diarrhea), you may need to switch from dry to canned-food or vice versa. But, once you find a brand and type that works, stick with it. Frequently changing foods makes dogs finicky and causes digestive problems.
Choosing the best dog food for an older or overweight dog may require a reduced calorie formula. As dogs age, they need fewer calories and being overweight puts too much stress on their joints. Less active dogs (exercising less than an hour per day) benefit from a reduced calorie formula, as well.
In March of 2007, many pet owners were wondering; what is the best dog food in terms of safety. Many cats and dogs were sickened and hundreds died as a result of eating tainted food. The contaminant was melanin, the same poison that turned up in infant formula in China. You could say, don’t buy dog food made in China, but one of the companies involved was a US manufacturer. Those involved have since been indicted by a federal grand jury.
Choosing the best dog food really just requires some common sense. When some brands are a lot cheaper than others, there’s a reason. They are lower in quality. The brands included in the recalls were mostly less expensive, inferior brands. If you’re wondering; what is the best dog food brand, I think that’s a matter of personal preference. Just don’t give up quality to get a lower price.
