We all want the best when it comes to loved ones. This especially holds true for many dog owners, who regard their canine companion higher than some of their own family members! Therefore, the need to provide high-quality dog food is crucial. However, being able to pick out good dog food brands from bad ones can be difficult if you do not know what to look out for.
What many people fail to realize is that dogs have nutritional requirements that may or may not be satisfied by major pet food brands. After all, they are different creatures than human beings. We can’t expect them to have identical nutritional requirements. When it comes to human food, we look out for keywords in the packaging such as weight loss, low fat, or whole grain. Many pet owners see the same type of keywords on commercial pet food labels; thinking that this bodes well for their canine companion. However, a bag of good dog food would ideally have labeling that discusses high-quality protein, moderate levels of animal fat, no grains, and a high moisture content. All in all, we need to understand that humans and dogs are different when it comes to nutritional standards.
How To Identify The Good From The Bad
Here are a few ways to look out for good dog food. Firstly, as mentioned before, commercial pet food brands will label their products in ways that will trick the consumer. The first action you should take is ignoring these label claims. Instead, look out for an AAFCO certification. Provided by the Association of American Feed Control Officials, this statement ensures that the formula that you’re looking to purchase meets the minimal nutritional requirements needed.
The next thing that you should be aware of is the source and quality of the protein. All in all, dogs are carnivores and need a heavily meat-based diet in order to thrive. Contrary to popular belief, they have no need to ingest carbohydrates such as grains. These carbs are added to dog food mostly as a filler and to hold the kibbled bits of dry food together. With that being said, you must look out for whole food sources of protein at the very top of an ingredient list, such as beef, chicken, or lamb. Amongst the top ingredients, vegetables, and whole fruits should be the third or fourth listing. If you notice all of these pointers mentioned on the bag of food you’re looking at, then you know that it’s a good dog food.
No good dog food will have the following ingredients: by-products and artificial coloring/flavoring. When it comes to animal meat by-products, especially those that aren’t properly identified, you can never be sure what your dog may be eating. Usually, these by-products contain parts of beaks, feet, and even hair which are ground into the meat mix during processing. While some of these by-products may have some nutritional value, such as organ meats, the other type of ingredients mentioned before make by-products something to avoid. Artificial colorings and flavorings are also something you shouldn’t see in good dog food. These substances have been known to be carcinogens. They usually go by the names BHT, BHA, and propyl gallate.
Check Out Dog Food Insider For Reviews And Informative Articles On Dog Care
All in all, a good dog food should highlight a dog’s nutritional needs, while providing them with an all-natural food formula. Blue Buffalo and Wellness are examples of good dog food brands; providing their customers with a high-quality and nutritional satisfying meal. At Dog Food Insider, we provide thorough and in-depth reviews on nearly every dog food brand and formula out there. Taking into account the points we made earlier, you will surely the dog food that is right for your pet.
