When it comes to choosing the right kind of healthy dog food, you may find it more difficult than you thought. Certainly, 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 have provided some tips below.
First of all, you need to understand what your dog’s diet should be made of. It is important that you provide your dog with ample amounts of protein (40%), fiber (30%) and starch (30%). Therefore, look only for those dog foods that contain these amounts of ingredients in their formula. Also, when looking at the label, make sure that the first ingredient listed is some type of protein (pork, chicken, etc.) and is not made up of meat by-products. You will often find that some of the cheaper dog foods have at least one meat ingredient first, but then details of by-products and fillers that have also been used to make the foods they produce will be provided just below. Be careful, as this means you won’t be getting enough of the meat (protein) your dog needs to stay fit and healthy.
Second, look at what preservatives dog food manufacturers are producing. They are certainly essential as they help prevent food from going away and therefore remaining edible. However, they do not need to be made from artificial substances, as these could cause serious health problems for your dog in the future. Instead, look for those foods that contain vitamins E and C, as they are not only great for preserving food, but are also much better for your dog.
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 of 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 that now offer a wide range of recipes and healthy meal plans for dogs that you can try and see which one your dog prefers.