If you have a dog that you love, you know the pressure that comes with trying to find the best and healthiest food for them. As a good dog parent, you want the best things for them: fun chew toys, top-notch veterinary care, colorful collars, and toys galore.
When it comes to finding the right food for your dog's specific breed, there are a lot of factors to take into consideration. Finding the right food can be challenging, especially since there are so many options. However, some simple steps can help you find the ideal food for your dog.
Ask for a recommendation from your veterinarian. He or she can help you find the ideal food for your dog based on their individual needs. Dr. Julie Churchill is a nutritionist veterinarian and a professor at the University of Minnesota's College of Vet Medicine for veterinarian clinical sciences. She says that asking for a recommendation from your dog's vet is the best way to go.
Through the ACVN diplomate directory, you can connect with a veterinary nutritionist who can provide personalized food plans for your dog. It's also important to find food that's made to meet the needs of the dog's life stage. Your vet will be able to help you narrow down choices based on your dog's age and health status.
According to animal expert Judy Morgan, D.V.M., the first ingredient list should be easy to identify since it should comprise whole foods that your dog will consume. For instance, Orijen's Regional Red dog food has five ingredients that are deboned beef, lamb liver, deboned goat, and deboned wild boar. The company believes that its products meet the dog's biological needs.
Another word that often pops up in the ingredient list is byproducts, which are different parts of animals that are perfectly safe and nutritious for your dog.
A good place to start is by reading the fine-print section of a dog food package. This section tells you if the food meets the requirements of the American Feed Control Officials' dog nutrition profile.
Look for the words “complete and balanced nutrition” or "formulated to meet the requirements of the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profile” on the label. Food should meet the requirements of your dog's daily nutritional needs. If not, it shouldn't be relied on as your go-to food.
You should never use a company that refuses to provide contact details when it comes to dog food. Having the information available from the manufacturer is the most important aspect of a food's quality assurance. All trustworthy manufacturers should have a phone number, email address, and website address on their labels to allow you to easily reach them.
Dr. Churchill explained that most of the information on a food label is just a marketing tool to attract potential customers. For instance, the term "human-grade" is often used to refer to dog food that's technically edible for humans.
Premium dog food doesn't necessarily mean that it's made with higher quality ingredients or is safer. Products referred to as "organic" do not necessarily mean they are better than non-organic products.
It's up to you and your veterinarian to decide if a specific type of food is right for your dog. But, in general, ignore the flashy labels and go for a food that has plenty of nutritional information.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional consultation or advice related to your health or finances. No reference to an identifiable individual or company is intended as an endorsement thereof. Some or all of this article may have been generated using artificial intelligence, and it may contain certain inaccuracies or unreliable information. Readers should not rely on this article for information and should consult with professionals for personal advice.