Pet owners want to give the best possible care to their dogs in every aspect. Their furbaby's food should be the best quality. The dog should get the right amount of exercise. He should be properly groomed on a regular basis to maintain a shiny, healthy coat, problem-free skin, and an overall good physical appearance. And he should be trained to obey simple commands, relieve himself in the proper areas, and generally develop a good disposition so that he can be considered an even-tempered and well-mannered dog—and overall, a well-cared for one.
Out of all these, feeding your dog can be one of the biggest challenges—as well as one of the most important things that you should get right. Sure, your dog will be happy to wolf down anything you put in his food bowl, but that doesn't mean that it will make him a healthy, happy dog. Just as you would be discerning about the kind of food your family eats, so should you be careful with what your dog consumes.
What's wrong with dog food?
There are plenty of commercially prepared dog food brands available across the globe today, both for puppies and adult dogs. Having a sack of dry dog food means that feeding your dog won't be much of a hassle—you just scoop a specific amount of kibble for each meal, pour it into your dog's bowl, and let him chow down. All you need to do is pick a brand and a variant that you think is best for your dog's needs.
However, many vets and animal welfare advocates are making an effort to raise awareness about the quality of commercially prepared and processed dog food. While many of these products are labeled "natural," "organic," or "holistic," it does not mean that they are truly good for dogs—in fact, such terms are used for marketing human foods and would not necessarily mean the same thing when seen in pet food labels.
It's been stated by many experts that commercial dog food can include very little of the ingredients that would truly promote their health and well-being; often, the food is just made up of fillers and binders that offer little nutritional value.
If you must choose commercial dog food in cans or bags, here are some of the things you should look for to ensure that your pet is getting quality food:
- Meat
- A specific meat meal
- Vegetables and whole fruits
- Whole grains like brown rice (if any grains should be included at all)
Ingredients you should avoid include:
- Meat or animal by-products
- Corn, soy, wheat, beet pulp or potatoes
- Grain fragments
- Artificial flavours, colour, preservatives and sweeteners
One of the most recommended diets for pets is a wholesome, raw, homemade and species-appropriate one. Raw food, essentially, contains no unnecessary and unhealthy ingredients—just the actual nutrients and enzymes that dogs would naturally receive from a natural raw diet.
Of course, every dog is different, so your duty as a pet owner is to observe and know how your dog reacts to food so you can determine which ones provide the best nutrition and promote good health. After all, you'll easily see from a dog's coat, skin, and energy level whether he is a happy, healthy and balanced pet.