There are so many choices when it comes to feeding your dog, it can be hard to know what to give him. Which of the many different types of kibble is best for him? Should you cook his meals yourself? What about raw diets? Can dogs be vegetarian?
Dog foods should be nutritionally balanced. That means there is the right amount of energy and nutrients to meet his body’s needs. There is no one “best food”, because individual dogs do better on different foods. However, there are some things to look for when you’re choosing your canine best friend’s daily diet.
The first thing to do is to consider your dog’s age and breed. Young pups grow very quickly in their first year of life, so a growth diet is appropriate for them. They can be changed to an adult maintenance diet when they have finished growing. For most dogs, this is around 12 months of age, but giant breeds such as the Great Dane often continue to grow until they are 2 years old. Senior dog diets tend to be lower in salt, and also lower in calories, to meet the needs of that life stage.
The food you choose should have Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) claim that they are suitable for your dog’s age. These foods have undergone feeding trials, and have been shown to be nutritionally balanced so they will keep your dog in good health.
Ideally, the manufacturers of dog foods should have a veterinary nutritionist on staff. This allows the company to constantly improve their food formulations as new knowledge about dog nutrition comes to light.
One thing to keep in mind is that any food for your dog should fit in your family budget. There’s no point in feeding him a premium quality kibble if that makes it hard to afford the necessities for your family.
Home Cooked Goodness
Many people prefer to cook their dog’s dinner themselves. They prefer to know exactly what goes into his meals, and the quality of the ingredients.
This is fine, however it’s very important to make sure that his food is nutritionally balanced. This isn’t always easy, and excess nutrients can be as harmful as deficiencies. Calcium is a good example of this. Too little dietary calcium causes ricketts, a preventable bone disease. Too much calcium in growing pups may contribute to orthopedic problems such as osteochondrosis dissecans (OCD).
If you do want to make your dog’s meals, then have the recipe created or checked by a veterinary nutritionist. That way you know you aren’t doing him any harm.
Raw Diets
There is a group of dog owners who prefer to feed their dogs raw food, including meaty bones and vegetables. After all, this is what wolves would eat in the wild, and our dogs should eat like wolves. shouldn’t they?
The answer to that is no. Over the years, dogs have adapted to do well on commercial foods containing more carbohydrates than a raw diet. Most raw diets haven’t undergone any formal feeding trials; most of the feedback on them is anecdotal.
Raw diets can in fact be harmful. There is the risk of salmonella poisoning from raw food, which can also affect people. Some commercial raw food producers use high pressure pasteurization to kill bacteria, but not all have these safety procedures in place. The American Veterinary Dental Association now recommends that dogs not be fed raw bones, because of the risk of tooth fractures and intestinal obstructions.
Treats and Snacks
Most, if not all, dogs enjoy a treat every now and again. Rawhide is a popular choice because it keeps your dog occupied for longer. Vegetables and fruit are a great addition to any dog’s dinner bowl to add low calorie bulk to his meal. Watch how many treats you give him, because the calories can add up, and they can have a big impact on his waistline!
You may need to try a few diets before you find the right one. Ultimately, the best dog food for your dog is the one that:
- has been AAFCO tested in a feeding trial
- is tasty
- is affordable
- keeps him in good health and condition.
