Menu for a four-legged friend: how to choose food for your dog?

We treat our smaller brothers like children, and one of the components of care is the issue of nutrition. How to feed a pet so that it grows up healthy, develops harmoniously, is cheerful and cheerful? Of course, you can cook it yourself, but it is hardly possible to calculate at home how many of these or other components will be in a portion in the end. In addition, financially it will cost the owners more than a good special food.

In this article we will talk about what it happens to be and what to consider when choosing food for fluffy.

Deciding on a class

Let's start with the fact that all dog food is divided into 4 classes, which is reflected in their composition, quality and price, of course.

Economy class is the cheapest option. Its advantage is availability (sold even in supermarkets). But for all its economy, veterinarians do not recommend it for constant use, as this can harm health. After all, the main component here, usually, is bone meal, fat and soy. Also numerous preservatives and flavorings, low-quality cereals and no vitamins. If you need a special medical diet or menu for a particular breed, you need to take a different class of food. Such a menu can hardly be called balanced.

The premium class is next in line and is already noticeably better quality. Premium dog food is not much more expensive than economy class, but it already contains up to 30% meat, as well as fish, poultry, high-quality cereals and minimal additives and flavors, and if offal is used, then it is of good quality. The ratio of components also distinguishes them from a higher class. But the daily dose of minerals and vitamins in them is respected. However they are not divided into specialized for breeds or medical.

The super-premium food is of the best quality, it uses natural selected meat, no by-products and chemicals like flavors and flavor enhancers. It also usually contains healthy additives (rice, apple, egg, and sometimes even berries). If these are offal, then it is indicated on the package which ones (liver, heart), and not some feathers or ground bones, as in the economy class.

Holistic food is the closest to natural food, made from natural products of the highest grade, and the composition is selected and balanced ideally for the pet. In Greek, "holistic" means "holistic", and these foods live up to their name. In the composition, usually, not only up to 80% of selected meat (lamb, lamb, etc.), poultry (chicken, turkey) or fish, but also high-quality cereals as a source of vegetable protein (rice, lentils, peas), vegetable oils, probiotics to improve digestion, fiber from fruits and vegetables, minerals. No by-products or synthetic additives.

The eternal question: "dry" or "wet". What is the best dog food?

According to the form of release, dry food (in the form of granules) and wet food (canned food, pates, pouches), as well as various delicacies are distinguished. What are the advantages and differences between these types?

Dry dog food

The main feature of dry food is the presence of moisture in them less than 10%. That is why they are easy to use and easy to store (they do not need to be heated and stored in the refrigerator). And at the same time, they are “staffed” with all the nutrients a dog needs. It is more concentrated and high-calorie than wet. In addition, medicated food for dogs with certain health problems is often available in dry form.

What to look for:

• dry food increases your pet's need for water, so make sure it always has a full bowl of water.
• If you want to transfer your pet from one manufacturer's food to another, do it gradually, over 7 to 10 days.

wet food

High-quality wet food provides the body with all the nutrients, and at the same time contains much more moisture (75%) than dry food. Therefore, it is believed that they are absorbed and digested better. They are very high in calories, contain an abundance of fat and have excellent taste characteristics.

What to look for:

• short shelf life
• more expensive than dry food.

Which one to give preference to, the owner decides, since the debate about which one is better has not subsided so far and every veterinarian has his own opinion on this matter.

What else to consider when choosing a dog menu

Breed features

This is an important point, since the diet of miniature (Yorks, Chihuahuas, toy terriers.) And large representatives of the caudate (dogs, Newfoundlands, bullmastiffs) is somewhat different. For example, small breeds need a higher protein content, as well as more carbohydrates and fats. In addition, the pellets (for dry food) are also much smaller to make them easier to chew. But large and giant breeds need different ratios of nutrients and granules of a more significant size. Manufacturers produce lines for individual breeds based on their needs.

Pet age

Food for puppies is different in composition from food for adults or for "seniors", aging dogs. This is due to the different needs of the body at different stages of development (however, as in humans). Babies are actively growing and developing: they need a certain amount of calcium, magnesium, zinc, iron, protein (much more than an adult dog). But in older dogs, due to a slowdown in metabolism, the need for carbohydrates for energy and minerals for strengthening bones, as well as vitamins for immunity, increases. Puppy food has the word Puppy in its name. Sometimes babies are referred to as Starter (from 2 weeks, when it comes to the first food that the puppy switches to after mother's milk), and older ones as Junior (older than two months to 10-15 months). There are also universal foods that are suitable for both kids and adults.

Health status

Separately, we will mention therapeutic feed, as well as hypoallergenic and for pregnant and lactating. They differ from everyday ones in composition, taking into account the special needs and condition of the body. For example, if a dog suffers from any kind of heart disease, a diet high in potassium and as low as possible in sodium and chlorine is recommended. There are also options for overweight dogs, for pets with gastrointestinal problems — "Hepatic". Such feeds are not intended for daily daily use, but only for the regulation of the condition under the supervision of a veterinarian.

Feed composition

The right dog lunch should not contain sugar and salt. It must necessarily contain meat, it is also good if cereals are included (except for corn, which is poorly digested and can cause allergies), vegetables, fruits. Dairy products are allowed.

Reading the composition on the package, you need to pay attention to what is in the list in the first place. This is the main ingredient and the largest percentage component. The best option is when it is fresh meat or poultry. But offal, meat meal, etc., are not a very good indicator of quality. But if offal is already indicated, it must be written which ones, otherwise anything can be hidden under it — feathers, veins, and skin. The amount of fats and carbohydrates is also important (usually they are represented by carrots, potatoes or cereals). Eggs are preferred whole, not powdered. The presence of probiotics, herbs, oils, fruits and vegetables as fiber is very good. Good food always has vitamins (retinol, B vitamins, as well as C, D, E, H (biotin) and minerals (calcium, iron, phosphorus). But the EWG designation (this is E320, E321 and propyl gallate) should alert: under it are hidden synthetic preservatives that are harmful to the pet.

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Since the highest quality holistics of all are still, we present you our rating of holistic dog food based on popularity with buyers. In each of them there are no preservatives and any additives, except for natural ones.

Acana (Canada)

This manufacturer, in addition to using a variety of high-quality meat (lamb), poultry (chicken, turkey, duck) and fish (perch, salmon, herring, flounder, etc.), enriches its products with proteins, minerals, and does not skimp on fruits and vegetables, but also includes herbs (burdock, calendula, mint, nettle) and berries (cranberries, blueberries, etc.) as a source of natural vitamins. It either lacks grain fillers, or it is lentils, green peas. These feeds are universal, for any age.

Grandorf (Belgium)

In the assortment of this brand there are special grain-free, low-grain and hypoallergenic feeds. And they are suitable for everyone, regardless of breed and age. The basis is duck, lamb, rabbit, veal, turkey and fish meat. Rice is used as carbohydrate sources, as well as Antarctic krill. And also the formula is enriched with chondroitin, glucosamine to improve the functioning of the joints.

Orijen (Canada)

Its formula contains fresh and organic ingredients — meat, turkey, chicken, herring, flounder (up to 80%). This also includes proteins, calcium, vitamins and phytocomponents (medicinal herbs), as well as Omega 3 and Omega 6 for coat and central nervous system health. Vegetables and fruits in the composition, vitamin and mineral complex — to strengthen the immune system, increase physical and mental activity.

Pronature Holistic (Canada)

Here, in addition to the main ingredients (chicken, turkey, duck, fish), it contains berries (juniper, cranberries) and medicinal herbs (thyme, rosemary, spinach, Yucca extract), prebiotics (dried chicory root and yeast extracts) and enzymes for intestinal microflora, vitamins and minerals, as well as extracts of fats and oils (olive). From cereals — barley, brown wild rice (a source of fiber), from vegetables — potatoes, tomatoes, beets, etc., ginger and cinnamon in the composition help digestion and strengthen immunity.

Choosing what to feed the youngest member of the family is a very responsible task, so before buying, you need to weigh the pros and cons, take into account all the features of the breed, age and health of your four-legged friend. It's also a good idea to consult with your veterinarian. Also, do not discount the personal preferences of your dog: for example, some are crazy about dry food, and some will not even lead their nose in his direction, preferring canned food and spiders. Their appetite, healthy coat and cheerful disposition will indicate the correctness of the choice, and vice versa.