If you are getting your dog from a breeder, talk to him
(or her) and ask what kind of dog foods have worked best
in his experience. This is one of your best sources of information,
because he’s already done some of the trial and error
work for you. It can be a massive task to start out fresh
and pick from the heard-spinning variety of dog foods on
the market today.
Then again, if you have taken the loving and admirable
risk of accepting a rescue animal into your home, you may
very well be in the trial and error situation! Remember,
there is no “best” dog food; every brand and
testimonial will tell you that their’s is the best.
There are guidelines that you should understand, though,
before deciding on a diet for your dog. Here’s some
information that should help you make some informed decisions.
If you are going to purchase a commercial brand of dog
food from a pet store or online, make sure to buy the smallest
packaging possible until you know it works for your dog.
One of the most important things to do while browsing different
doggie diets, is to read the label! Always look for the
nutritional adequacy statement and look for the phrase “feeding
trial”. This will tell you that the product was actually
fed to living dogs before being put on the market, and it
worked well. There are some brands that have undergone “chemical
analysis” which means that they contain the right
amounts of protein and fats, etc, but this doesn’t
confirm how digestible or available the nutrients are to
dogs who consume the food.
Basically, all dog foods, whether sold at the pet store
or specifically by veterinarians, should contain the basic
components of carbohydrates, protein, fat, vitamins, and
minerals. The only difference is that dogs of different
ages require varying amounts. So make sure to purchase the
dog food appropriate for you dog, whether a puppy or adult,
or pregnant, etc.
