Best Dog Foods

Manufacturers seem to have a great understanding that their customers are vastly diverse based on several factors. Just as it is with human food, there is a diversity of dog food based on consistency, texture, and nutritional value. 

There are seven critical types of dog food, and these are discussed below.

Wet Food

Wet dog food, also known by the term canned dog food, typically comes in containers designed to maintain moisture.

They commonly come in cans (thus the name “canned foods”) or individual pouches. As expected, they are quite saturated and hold excess moisture, though not entirely liquid.

Wet foods are excellent for hydration as they have an abundant supply of water. It is also considered an excellent choice for older pets as it is generally more appealing in terms of taste and high energy nutrition value. 

Like most foods, wet dog foods come with high protein composition and fewer carbohydrates. As indicated above, dog food also comes in various flavours, including chicken and turkey gravy.

The term gravy generally refers to the sauce typically made of juice extracts from different types of meat and some grains such as wheat.

It commonly comes with canned foods and has long proven itself as a dog favourite due to the superior taste and smell it adds to the meal.

However, there are a few disadvantages of wet dog food that every owner needs to be aware of. The food’s high value and other packaging needs make it more expensive and tend to have a shorter shelf life once it’s unsealed.

In cases where you get it opened and your dog isn’t inclined to consume it, you may need to refrigerate it while keeping the right conditions in mind.

You need to remember that though these foods may prove expensive, they tend to come with impressive nutritional value for both older dogs and puppies. The processing ensures that most of the vitamins and minerals are preserved.

Dry Food

Dry food is also commonly known as Kibble, and it is typically packed in bags and come in bulkier packages compared to wet dog food. 

They are generally a dough product, which is subjected under higher pressure and forced out through a variety of holes for proper sizing.

As you would expect, there has always been a debate relating to the superior type. The best example for your dog can be detailed as other factors may also heavily influence what you choose for your dog.

However, for reference, combining the two types of foods is highly recommended as it makes the diet much more balanced. 

Dry food comes out as a natural favourite for pet owners due to its simplicity and convenience when it comes to preparation and the long lifespan it possesses once it is opened.

The idea of opening your kibble and a water bowl and simply forget it seems like an appealing prospect for most busy owners.

Kibble is also considered a great choice when it comes to your pet’s gum and teeth health. Its chewiness and high consistency assist with removing tartar and plaque formations from the teeth. 

This is one of the reasons why it is considered a great compliment to a comprehensive wet meal.

Raw Diet

Using raw food is based on the observation that dogs prefer raw food, which they ate before becoming domesticated animals.

It is an approach that tries to keep the food as natural as possible, thus keeping it appropriate for the dog’s digestive system’s natural abilities.

Common ingredients include meat, vegetables, fruits and a range of other organic components. This is why it’s sometimes known as evolutionary or Paleo diet.

The approach was introduced in the early ’90s by an Australian veterinarian named Ian Billinghurst, who was concerned with inappropriately high amounts of grains observed in processed foods.

The approach is also based on the premise that dogs do not need anything apart from meat and supplemented vitamins and minerals as with all canines.

As you might expect, there is a heated debate on the validity of this approach, as it also harbours several reasonable concerns. While the diet can supply exceptional levels of protein and energy, there is an ever-present risk of food poisoning caused by infections. 

Key threats include bugs such as salmonella and E.coli, known for causing havoc in the digestive system.

Grain-free Food

As the name suggests, these foods eliminate all grains from the diet. Grains aren’t harmful to dogs. This approach’s main reason is that they are not as rich as meat in terms of proteins.

Again, this approach tries to maintain the natural feeding behaviour of dogs, which is carnivorous. 

The main argument in this is that the dog’s digestive system has evolved to a point where it can efficiently work on plant-based carbohydrates such as cellulose in the same way as humans.

In other words, it is simply not competent enough to fully process compounds such as cellulose for energy production. 

Though this is a plausible observation, grains’ protein contribution can be worthwhile for dogs. They are still a good source of protein, though not the best. Unlike Herbivores, dog’s digestive systems are primarily adapted to handle meat and light plant material.

In short, grain-free dog food removes the inefficient source of proteins from the diet and inserts the naturally abundant meat. Additionally, it usually proves ideal for pets with susceptible digestive systems. 

Vegan

This is as surprising as it sounds; it eliminates anything to do with animals from the diet. In some cases, your pet might have a condition that necessitates the consumption of a meat-free diet.

Examples include genetic conditions that render the dog incapable of digesting meat, and aggressive allergies to meat and related products such as beef, chicken, lamb, milk, and eggs.

As expected, this is quite rare, but if your pet happens to be in this situation, several specially formulated foods allow your dog a good supply of protein and other essential nutrients.  

Puppy Food

Some foods are specifically tailored to the needs of puppies. Just as humans, puppies have a different set of nutritional needs related to physical and mental development.

For instance, some ingredients are not appropriate for puppies as their digestive systems are not adapted to handle them effectively.  

Most puppy dog foods are excellent sources of proteins, calcium, and vitamins, which play a pivotal role in development.

Puppy food tends to be biased towards growth, while adult food tends to be biased towards maintenance. 

Another critical thing to consider is that different breeds of dogs reach adulthood at different times and may require different types of feeds based on physical differences in different developmental stages.

While some breeds can reach adulthood as early as a year, others may take a couple of years longer. For this reason, it’s always prudent to check with your vet if a specific feed is appropriate for your puppy.

Additionally, you need to be aware of the different development stages associated with puppies as they may also have implications when it comes to feeding.

For instance, a weaning dog’s diet can be different from the diet appropriate for the one in a transitory stage to adulthood.

Limited Ingredient Food (LID)

Just as humans, dogs can also be victims of food allergies. Several food-related gastrointestinal issues can make your food selection difficult. 

Limited ingredient foods eliminate most known allergy-causing ingredients in dogs, including eggs, soy, milk, and certain types of meats.

The advantage is obvious; they supply the essential nutrients while significantly reducing any allergic reactions. 

You can easily tell if your pet needs this type of food if it starts showing signs and symptoms of a particular allergy or general discomfort after or during food consumption in question.

The following few minutes will be spent on allergies and hypoallergenic dog foods by looking at what it means, as well as how you can go about knowing whether your dog needs them or not. 

The reason for a dedicated section on this is that dog allergies are surprisingly common, with a good number of them escaping the owner’s eye to the discomfort of the dog.

Hypoallergenic Dog Food

Hypoallergenic dog foods are LIDs that are usually prescribed by veterinarians and are typically formulated in unique ways to incorporate ingredients that are not normally seen in mainstream products.

For instance, these diets might feature protein sources which the dog hasn’t ingested before, which in turn might not be allergic. These diets come in handy, particularly for dogs that cannot ingest commercial dog food.

The most common foods associated with allergies include beef, fish, lamb, corn, yeast, and soy.

If you look at this closely, you will quickly realize that they are common ingredients in most dog foods. Thus any adverse reactions might eliminate most of the commonly available options.

This when hypoallergenic foods prove essential as they provide a way of precisely selecting what goes into the food you give to your dog.