When it comes to choosing the right type of healthy dog food, you may find it more difficult than you thought. Indeed, most of the dog foods you find available at your local pet store or supermarket contain large amounts of preservatives, as well as being over-processed. So, to help you find the healthiest dog food for your beloved pet, we’ve provided some tips below.
First of all, you need to understand what your dog’s diet should be made up of. It is important that you provide your dog with plenty of protein (40%), fiber (30%), and starch (30%). Therefore, look for only those dog foods that contain these amounts of ingredients in their formula. Also, when looking at the label, make sure the first ingredient listed is some type of protein (pork, chicken, etc.) and not made up of meat by-products. You’ll often find that some of the cheaper dog foods have at least one meat ingredient first, but then just below will provide details of the by-products and fillers that have also been used to make the foods they produce. Be careful, as this means that you will not be provided with the sufficient amount of meat (protein) that your dog needs to stay fit and healthy.
Second, look at what preservatives dog food manufacturers are churning out. They are certainly essential, as they help prevent food from going away and therefore remain edible. However, they do not need to be made of artificial substances, as they could actually cause serious health problems for your dog in the future. Instead, look for foods that contain vitamins E and C, as they are not only great for preserving food, but are much better for your dog as well.
If you can afford it, choose only premium brand foods like Eukanuba, Iams, or Hill’s, as they contain the healthiest ingredients you’re likely to find in dog foods today. In addition, they also offer a wide range of foods that are suitable for dogs of all ages and when they reach certain stages in their lives.
However, if you really want to make sure your dog only eats healthy dog food, then you might consider making your own. Today, if you were to do a search online, you would find that there are many sites now offering a wide range of healthy dog recipes and meal plans that you can try and see which one your dog prefers.