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It’s hard to find a Canadian that isn’t a dog lover. These amazing friends and companions are an important part of people’s lives, and they provide us with so much while asking for so little. A dog will love you unconditionally and all you have to do is take it for walks, give it some affection, take it to the vet when need be, and provide it with healthy food.
The below guide will provide a breakdown of all the important aspects of dog food to make sure you are getting the best for your pooch. When you buy a good, you have to pay special attention to basic things like breed, age, health, and lifestyle. Read on to find out more about the most important criteria when choosing a dog food.
Contents
- 1 Key Facts
- 2 The best dog food on the Canadian market
- 3 Shopping Guide: Everything you should know about dog food
- 3.1 What is dog food and what are the advantages of dry food?
- 3.2 What types of dog food are there?
- 3.3 Is wet dog food suitable for my dog?
- 3.4 What about semi-wet dog food?
- 3.5 Is it better to buy dog food or make home-cooked food?
- 3.6 How much dog food does my puppy need?
- 3.7 Special requirements for adult dogs
- 3.8 How much dog food is needed per day?
- 3.9 How do I feed my dog if they are overweight?
- 3.10 My dog doesn’t increase in weight, what dog food do I give?
- 4 Shopping Criteria
- 5 Summary
Key Facts
- Different dog foods are of different quality. There are premium, more high end and expensive brands, regular ones (with middle-of-the-road ingredients) and generic ones (usually bought in large quantities and sold in most supermarkets).
- Nutrition and health are closely linked: the more you spend (both money and time) getting the right food, the healthier they will be. If you don’t go the extra mile when looking for and choosing a food, your dog’s health could suffer for it.
- You can find dry, wet and semi-wet dog food out there. The below guide will cover mostly dry food because it tends to be the one best suited for all breeds. If you don’t know what to get your dog, you should talk to your veterinarian.
The best dog food on the Canadian market
Whether someone gave you a god, you bought one from a breeder, or adopted one from a shelter, having a dog is a big responsibility, but one that is usually profoundly lifechanging. Having a dog means taking on responsibility, and one of these responsibilities is the animal’s health. You need to feed it properly and care for it well for it to remain happy and healthy. This includes getting good food.
- Purina – ONE Smartblend Natural Dry Dog Food
- Nature’s Recipe – Small Breed Grain Free Chicken
- Merrick – Grain Free Real Texas Beef and Sweet Potato Recipe
- Wellness – Grain Free
- IAMS – Proactive Health Dry Food
Purina – ONE Smartblend Natural Dry Dog Food
Purina is a name that should instantly ring a lot of bells with Canadian dog owners because it is one of the most popular brands on the market. Their ONE Smartblend Natural Dry Dog Food is a Lamb and Rice formula that comes in a large 14 kg bag. Real lamb is the main ingredient in this dog food, so you can feel good about giving your dog a high quality source of the protein it needs to be at its best. It also contains natural sources of glucosamine to help keep their joints healthy and quality of life better.
The Omega-6 fatty acids and extra vitamins and minerals support good immune health and lustrous healthy fur. The antioxidant components are also important for good immune system health. This blend gives your adult dog complete and balanced nutrition, which you will definitely see come out in their personalities and energy levels. It is made to meet or exceed AAFCO standards. The combination of meaty morsels and crunchy kibble is readily accepted by dogs and will quickly become a food they come racing to the bowl to eat.
Nature’s Recipe – Small Breed Grain Free Chicken
Nature’s Recipe is another brand of dog food on the Canadian market that is renowned for its quality and attention to detail. This grain free chicken, sweet potato and pumpkin mix is something your dog will love from the first bite. Real chicken is the primary ingredient in this dog food, so your dog gets the pure, unadulterated protein it needs to be healthy. There is nothing artificial added, and the bite-sized pieces are ideal for the smaller mouths of smaller breeds.
This is complete nutrition for your dog and nothing else. Nature’s Recipe has been creating and perfecting high quality dog food for over 35 years, so they know what they are doing. You are what you eat, and it is no different for a dog. Even the pickiest dogs will be thrilled when you fill their bowls full of Nature’s Recipe Small Breed Grain Free Chicken. This product also comes in a great lamb flavour, as well as puppy formulas for the different nutritional needs of dogs at different stages of their life cycles.
Merrick – Grain Free Real Texas Beef and Sweet Potato Recipe
Merrick’s Grain Free Real Texas Beef and Sweet Potato Recipe is tailor made to provide your dog with all of its nutritional and protein requirements every single bowl. This grain and gluten-free nutrition recipe makes digestion easy for dogs and is great for those with sensitive stomachs and digestive systems. It is also great for dogs who might have poultry sensitivities, as many recipes rely on chicken and turkey. The primary ingredient is real, high quality deboned Texas beef that any dog will run for.
Adequate amounts of glucosamine and chondroitin facilitate healthy joints and hips, and this dog food is made right in the United States. This is a great dog food for all dog breeds, sizes, and life stages – something which you can give your pooch with confidence throughout its life knowing you are doing the best thing for it. The recipe includes whole food like sweet potato to ensure that dogs are getting their natural omnivorous diet. Even just speaking to their customer service you can tell Merrick loves dogs and love what they do.
Wellness – Grain Free
Wellness is yet another great brand on the Canadian market that people who are serious about dog nutrition will instantly recognize. Their Grain Free formula was specifically crafted for small breeds and their unique dietary requirements. It comes with a range of great flavours and ingredients, including wild game turkey, duck, boar and rabbit, and original turkey and chicken. It is reduced fat and comes in a 4 or 12 pound bag. This is a 100 per cent grain free product that is completely balanced total nutrition for your small breed dog. Something you can confidently give him or her every single day.
The best thing about this dog food is that it contains absolutely no wheat, soy, corn, or animal by-products. There are also no artificial flavours or preservatives added. It is backed by the wellness guarantee and made right in the USA. A nice way to compliment this food and make it even more appetizing for your small dog is to combine it with Complete Health Natural Wet Canned Dog Food recipes. Little dogs are known to be fussy, so get something you know they will enjoy right off the bat.
IAMS – Proactive Health Dry Food
IAMS Proactive Health Dry Food comes in a range of different sizes, from 3.18 to 17.46 kilos. It is for mature adult dogs and contains all of the antioxidants to help keep mature immune systems healthy and high functioning. It also contains fat-burning L-carnitine to keep older dogs at a healthy weight by providing a boost to their ageing metabolisms. It is made to ensure healthy joints, and therefore healthy, happy dogs as they reach their twilight years and are more susceptible to arthritis.
The kibbles are extra crunchy so they provide a scrubbing action on your dog’s teeth to help prevent tartar build-up. Complete and balanced nutrition includes things like carrots, potatoes, and real high quality animal protein with no preservatives, additives, or animal by-products. Mature dogs have special needs that must be met in order to remain healthy, just as mature human beings do, and this dry dog food gives them the essentials.
Shopping Guide: Everything you should know about dog food
At some point, every dog owner asks themselves what kind of dog food is best. Below are the answers to some of the most commonly asked questions by dog owners, including all of the advice you need to properly feed your pet. By taking this guide to heart, and following it in detail, you will help give them the healthy, happy life they will deserve and that will bring joy to yours.
What is dog food and what are the advantages of dry food?
- Premium food: It is the highest quality, so it is usually more expensive. If you get your dog high-quality food, it will have better digestive health and the results tend to be: less gas, better quality stools, better health and will be satisfied for longer.
- Regular food: The most often purchased because it is the most affordable. Not all regular food is low-quality but in order to find a food that is nutritious, you will have to spend some time looking through ingredient lists and doing your homework.
- Generic food: It is usually the most sold in supermarkets. This is the kind most commonly offered by large commercial brands and usually contains low-quality ingredients which can make dogs fat (lots of added cereals, corn etc.).
The rest of this article focuses exclusively on dry food because it’s the most commonly bought and the best mix of price, durability, storage, and quality. Dry food contains more nutrients and is a more balanced diet than the other options. Below is a table that lays out the upsides and downsides of dry dog food:
What types of dog food are there?
When we discuss dog food, we can’t just assume that dry food is the absolute best and completely ignore the other alternatives out there. The best diet for a dog is a balanced and mixed one that combines different foods. If you give a dog the same food day in and day out for months, even years at a time, they will undoubtedly get tired of it after a while.
| Types of food | Characteristics |
|---|---|
| Dry | Best selling and most popular. Tends to use higher quality ingredients. The basic pillar of a dog’s healthy diet |
| Wet | Canned and contains water and moist food. It stains a dog’s teeth easily and the food bowl requires constant washing |
| Semi-wet | Comes in plastic packaging. Tends not to be nutritionally balanced |
Is wet dog food suitable for my dog?
Here are the advantages and disadvantages of wet dog food:
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|
| Better hydration | Can’t sit in your dog’s bowl for long because it will go bad |
| High-end products provide quality food and a good nutritional balance | Can end up creating tartar and obesity because dogs like it more so they over-eat |
| A good choice for pets with allergies or very large diets |
What about semi-wet dog food?
Is it better to buy dog food or make home-cooked food?
Here are the advantages and disadvantages of homemade dog food:
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|
| Dogs may prefer homemade food more than dry or wet food | Many owners do not understand the nutritional balance requirements and always give meat to their pet. This creates health problems and more visits to the vet |
| More variety in your dog’s diet, as long the food is prepared well | Extra effort as you have to prepare the food yourself |
| You can play around with different flavours and organic ingredients | You need to use it up fast because it will spoil if kept at room temperature too long |
| Healthier stools and less gas | Preparing your dog’s food is more expensive than buying dog food |
How much dog food does my puppy need?
| Puppy age | Nutritional needs |
|---|---|
| Up to 8 weeks | Breast milk
From the third week onwards, small portions of wet food can be offered as it is easier to digest In the sixth week, you can introduce puppy food, in combination with breast milk |
| 2 to 3 months | A puppy should eat up to four times per day. If it is a small breed (like the Chihuahua), even five times a day
You must buy quality puppy food. If you don’t know what to do, speak to a vet |
| From 3 to 6 months | Reduce feeding to 3 times per day |
| From 6 months to 1 year | A dog should be eating two times per day |
Special requirements for adult dogs
| Dog size | Dog weight | Special requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Very small | Less than 4kg | Additional calcium, to avoid constipation and plaque formation |
| Small | Up to 10kg | Foods with high energy |
| Medium | Between 11kg and 25kg | Take care of the skin and natural defences |
| Large | Between 26kg and 44kg | Give digestible foods for good joint and digestive health |
| Extra large | More than 45kg | Review heart health frequently and give additional antioxidants |
How much dog food is needed per day?
When you weigh your dog (which is good to do once per month to ensure they aren’t over or underweight) and multiplying that by 0.03, you will know how much food to give. Most good food brands include tables on their packaging which lets you know how to calculate portions of food and frequency of feeding.
How do I feed my dog if they are overweight?
Things like pasta, for instance, is high in carbs, and break down into sugar which turns into fat. You shouldn’t be feeding your dog leftover food from the table. Dogs should eat on schedule and only eat good quality balanced dog diets.
My dog doesn’t increase in weight, what dog food do I give?
Some breeds of dog are especially sensitive to environmental changes and even mood changes in their owners, which can lead to eating problems. If you make sure your dog is calm, or stay near them while they eat, it might get their eating back on track again.
If poor nutrition is the cause of low weight in your dog, we highly recommend that you invest in premium dog foods, as they have many health benefits (better digestions and greater assimilation of nutrients). You need to give your dog as least 23 per cent protein in their diet, as well as tastier food. You can accomplish this by combing a dry food base with some wet food.
Shopping Criteria
Now that you are armed with all this information, you have to decide which food to purchase. Below are some important criteria to consider so that you make the best decision possible when buying your next food. Feeding your dog is not always the simplest thing in the world, but if you study it carefully, you can get a great product your dog will love and that will be good for them. The following shopping criteria are designed to help you make your decision.
Ingredients
The first place your eyes should go when examining dog food packaging is the ingredient list. The ingredients will directly affect the nutritional value and, therefore, the physical and psychological impact on your dog. The below list provides a series of nutrients that are found in dog food, from the highest to lowest percentages.
- Protein: This is the major component of dog food and is good for muscle growth, bone density, and immune health). The dog food you opt for should always be high in protein. Protein can also be classified into different types.
- Lamb: Dogs love lamb because it is high in calories and protein. Lamb is great for making your dog’s stools more consistent (especially for dogs with preexisting digestive issues).
- Chicken: Helps build healthy, strong muscles
- Salmon: This fish is protein-rich and easy to assimilate, while good for healthy skin and coat. It is also good for bones and teeth.
- Fats: Also known as lipids or oils, they are an important part of a balanced diet. They create pleasant tastes and provide energy. They are also important for helping dogs thermoregulate, as well as activating muscles and organs.
- Carbohydrates: These are sugars and crystallised carbohydrates that, with fats, provide energy. It is important to offer your pet pre-digested cereals because of their short digestive tract. If you do not do this, your dog will not be able to digest the food well when it passes through the small intestine and reaches the large intestine. The food will then ferment and result in diarrhoea and flatulence.
Vitamins
Vitamins are an essential part of a dog’s daily nutritional requirements (e.g. vitamin B helps maintain a strong, healthy coat). If the dog food you buy has a poor vitamin profile, this can end up creating reproductive, nervous, and immune system problems.
Always opt for foods with vitamins K, E, D, C, B and A which will give your pet an adequate supply of antioxidants, a good level of calcium and phosphorus (two minerals involved in the ossification of bones), antibacterial protection and optimal vision, among many other benefits.
Aid the defences
Dogs are like any other animal and can fall ill. But preventing disease is always better than trying to cure it once it becomes a problem. Prevent sickness by choosing foods that protect against certain diseases. Your dog’s immune system is made to ward off bacteria, viruses, funguses etc., but if it can’t do its job, your dog might get sick.
Other causes of sickness can include sudden temperature changes, more stress, pollution, and a lack of fo nutrition which can all wear your dog’s natural defences down. Things like vitamins E and C, omega-3, taurine and lutein will help ward off illnesses.
Prebiotics
These are vegetable fibres that are not digested by the small intestine and encourage the growth of bacteria that is beneficial to the large intestine of your dog. Unlike probiotics, prebiotics aren’t alive, so they can withstand dramatic temperature changes and are suitable for dogs.
Instead of trying to get your dog to take a prebiotics tablet, you can choose food which already incorporates them which will better regulate their hormones and digestion. Prebiotics are also great and cutting down on inflammation, and help increase your dog’s ability to absorb nutrients.
Premium dog food
At this point you should want to buy your dog only the best premium dog food, even if that means spending more, your dog will have a healthier life. Premium foods have dramatically different manufacturing processes and have much better ingredients, as well as vitamin and mineral profiles.
Top of the line ingredients is one of the three pillars of high-quality food. The other two are: appropriate composition (in terms of minerals and fibre), and minimal cooking of the ingredients. It is also a good idea to ask your vet if your dog might require a prescription food that is tailored for their diet.
Summary
Buying your dog food is one of the most important decisions you will make as a dog owner. Many supermarkets carry low-quality and cheaper products to try and appeal to dog owners’ wallets, but doing the easy thing is not necessarily the best thing for your dog. Buying these cheaper supermarket dog foods can often lead to health problems down the line.
If you keep to good nutrition basics, you can rest easy knowing that you are doing right by your dog. Taking care of a dog can be a lot of work, and making sure they are getting the right nutrition requires both time and money to do it right.
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(Source of featured image: Jaromír Chalabala: 26746497/ 123rf.com)
