Most dog owners want the best for their dog, which means they want to buy the best possible dog food. Health nuts love to tout the maxim “you are what you eat,” cautioning others to prioritize healthy food over junk food in an effort to feel better and improve health outcomes – so why wouldn’t the same philosophy apply to your dog and its diet?
The problem is, it’s not always easy to tell the difference between “good” and “bad” dog food, especially when they all look the same from the outside. What makes a dog food high quality? Which food is best? And how can you make the right decision for your dog?
The Problems With Brand Loyalty
For the most part, it’s true that some dog food brands are better than others. Certain brands have made a commitment to sourcing and using the best ingredients they can to make the best dog food they can.
However, it’s problematic to swear allegiance to a single brand. For one thing, just because a brand has one good type of dog food doesn’t mean all of its dog foods are good choices.
Additionally, just because a brand made good dog food in the past doesn’t mean they’re going to make good dog food indefinitely in the future; They may change their ingredients or change their practices over time without advertising it.
Because of this, it’s somewhat helpful to research different brands and compare different brands to each other – but brand shouldn’t be your only considering factor.
Key Variables to Consider
When shopping around for different dog food, make sure you consider the following variables:
· Brand reputation. Like you said, brand shouldn’t be your only considering factor, but it should be a considering factor. If you know the brand to be reliable, that’s a good starting point.
· Protein sources. Take a look at the protein sources in each possible dog food. Protein is one of the most important components of dog food, and the origin of the source matters. Crude sources of protein, like protein derived from chicken beaks and hooves, tend to be lower quality sources; they don’t have much nutritional value, and often pass through your dog’s digestive system completely intact. It’s much better to have whole sources of protein.
· Filler. Almost every dog food has some type of filler, but an excessive amount of filler and the wrong type of filler can be problematic for your dog’s health. The biggest culprits here are grains. Grain ingredients like soy, wheat, and corn, provide carbohydrates and calories to your dog, but not much else. Excessive intake here can lead to obesity, cardiovascular disease, and other problems.
· Additives. You may also be concerned about additives. Food coloring, preservatives, and other artificial ingredients may weaken the quality of your dog food or lead to digestive issues. This is especially true if your dog is allergic to any of these ingredients.
· Sustainability. Did you know you can choose to buy sustainable dog food instead of its non-sustainable counterparts? Sustainable dog food, like any sustainable product, is designed with the environment in mind, minimizing the environmental impact of your decision and supporting best practices in agriculture.
· Overall flavor. Your dog probably won’t complain about any food you choose to give them, but they’re going to prefer some flavors over others. All other factors being equal, you want to provide your dog with food they genuinely enjoy.
· Special formulations. You may also need to buy food with some special formulations for any health conditions or special considerations related to your dog. For example, you might want to buy food designed for a sensitive stomach or food with nutrition that is specifically formulated for seniors.
· Cost. Of course, you’ll also need to think about the cost. Unfortunately, higher quality ingredients tend to lead to more expensive dog food, so you’ll need to decide for yourself where you want to draw the line.
Research and Comparisons
There are many types of dog food to explore, many of which are perfectly fine for your dog to eat. It’s important to do your research, so you understand the ingredients and the approach taken by each brand and line of dog food. It’s also a good idea to get a special recommendation from your vet, especially if your dog has any unique health concerns. Most importantly, it’s a good idea to experiment with different foods and see which one your dog enjoys best.
Ultimately, your choice in dog food is yours alone. There are many variables to consider and many options to weigh – so it’s not always an easy journey. But if you do your research, keep an open mind, and prioritize your dog’s health and individual needs, you’ll eventually end up with dog food that’s a perfect fit.
