Dog Food - Analysis and Buying Guide - 2023
A good diet is one of the keys to keeping your canine companion happy and healthy, but how do you select the best dog food?
Even a trip to your local grocery store will reveal 10 or 20 different brands and formulas, and if you head to a dedicated pet store or look online, that number increases exponentially.
If you're not entirely sure what you're looking for, choosing the right food for your furbaby can seem as confusing as a lecture on quantum physics (assuming you're not a quantum physicist).
If you need help, you are in the right place. Here at Real Indian, we've done extensive research so you don't have to.
This fair and comprehensive review will tell you everything you need to know about choosing a good food to suit your dog's individual needs. We do not accept samples from manufacturers, so you can be sure that our analysis is unbiased.
Ready to buy right away? If you already know what you need but just want brand recommendations, check out the product list above for our top picks.
What is a Good Dog Food?
The first thing that's helpful to know is what actually makes a good dog food... key characteristics that distinguish a particular food from less desirable options.
Here are the things a quality dog food should and shouldn't contain:
- No generic animal fats
- No harmful or controversial chemical preservatives
- A decent amount of protein
- A carbohydrate content that is not excessively high
- There are no anonymous meats
- No more than 75% of the ratio of fat and protein
- No artificial colors
Choosing the Right Food for your Dog
As a dog lover, you know that your dog is unique. This extends beyond his personality and extends to physical differences. Just as a 10-year-old needs a different diet than an adult, and the average adult will need a different diet than a professional athlete, the right food for your dog will depend on factors such as age, size and activity level .
Activity Level
An average adult dog that gets an appropriate amount of exercise for her breed and size should thrive on a regular adult dog food.
However, dogs that exercise much more than average — such as working dogs or dogs that regularly train and compete in dog sports — may benefit from a "performance" food that has higher levels of protein and is slightly more calorie dense.
Special Dietary Needs
First, think about whether your dog has any special dietary requirements, such as a food allergy or intolerance. If so, you'll need to make sure you avoid any ingredient issues when selecting a dog food.
If your dog doesn't have food sensitivities, there's no reason to opt for gluten-free or grain-free options, as they're not inherently healthier. In fact, grains are a great source of carbohydrates and are easily digested by most dogs.
Another thing to consider is the caloric content. If your dog needs to lose a few pounds, you can get special lower-calorie foods to help him reach and maintain a healthy weight.
Size
Most dog foods are designed to meet the needs of dogs of all sizes, but some are specially tailored to be more suitable for large or small breeds.
This doesn't mean that all large or small breeds need to eat formula, but if a dog isn't doing well on his current food, it may be worth a try, especially if he's exceptionally large or small.
Watch out for "large breed puppy" formulas, too, since large breed puppies grow at a slower rate than their smaller counterparts. These dogs can really benefit from a special food to meet specific nutritional needs as they mature.
Age
Your dog's age will make a difference in what food you should give him.
If you have a puppy, you need to eat a specially formulated puppy food, as growing dogs have different nutritional requirements than adults. Getting the right food as a puppy is vital to growing up strong and healthy. Most dogs should eat puppy food until about one year of age, but large breeds should continue on puppy food until about 18 months of age.
Adult dogs should eat a standard adult formula, but some older dogs will benefit from a "senior" formula. Dogs are officially considered senior once they are past seven years old, but many dogs show no signs of slowing down for several more years.
As a general rule, it's not worth switching to a senior food unless your dog has gained weight or is no longer thriving on his regular food.
Factors to Consider
Wet vs. Dried
You might be thinking about whether to eat wet or dry food. Well, there are pros and cons to each!
Wet food professionals :
- Wet food is quite tasty.
- It is often popular even with picky eaters.
- Wet food can be more nutritious than dry food.
- Canned foods do not require chemical preservatives.
- For older dogs and young puppies, it is easier to eat than dry food.
Consequences of Wet Food :
- Wet dog food is significantly more expensive than dry food, which can make it unaffordable if you have a large dog that needs a lot of food.
- If your dog won't eat an entire can in one sitting, wet food requires refrigeration.
- It's also much messier than dry food.
Dry Food Professionals :
- Dry foods are more convenient and less messy to feed.
- Hard kibble can also help remove plaque on your teeth, as you lightly scratch them when chewing.
- Even premium brands are much more affordable than wet food.
- Dry food creates less waste because it comes in a big bag instead of individual cans or bags that end up in the trash.
Consequences of Dry Food :
- Some dogs do not find it as palatable as wet food.
- It is more likely to contain chemical preservatives.
Ingredient Quality
The best dog foods should contain quality ingredients, such as whole meat, fresh vegetables, and quality grains or other sources of carbohydrates, such as sweet potatoes.
Some high-end brands even go so far as to select only organic or locally sourced ingredients.
Avoid brands that contain nameless meat products, or are full of empty nutritional fillers like cornstarch or grain by-products.
Nutritional Adequacy
Dog foods must display a nutritional adequacy statement.
Check the package (or check the manufacturer's specifications when buying online) for a statement that says something like, “This food is complete and balanced for all life stages” or “This food is complete and balanced for adult dogs. ”
If there is no such statement, it means that the food you are looking for is not a complete and balanced food and will not provide all the nutrients your dog needs.
FAQ
Que. Is there a single best dog food?
Ans. Unfortunately, it's not as simple as saying, "This is the best dog food out there and every dog should eat it." All dogs are different, and a food that one dog eats perfectly fine can make another dog sick or lazy. Finding the right food for your dog can take some trial and error. All we can do is give you the information you need to choose a decent food for your dog, and you and your pup have to do the rest. Don't worry if you have to try a few brands before you hit the jackpot.
Que. How can you tell if your dog is doing well on food?
Ans. It can be difficult to tell if your dog has taken the new food from her. Here are some signs that your pup is thriving on his current diet:
- Ample Energy
- Fresh Breath
- Regular Stools that are'not too Loose or Too Dry
- Bright Eyes and Shiny Fur
- keep a Healthy Weight