Choosing healthy dog food can be tricky as there are so many varieties on the market. Some brands are much more healthy and nutritious for your dog than others. When you are selecting dog food, obviously price is a consideration, especially if you have several dogs to feed. However, it is also vitally important that you buy food that provides your pet with the nutritional ingredients that he needs.
It is very easy to find out about the nutritional requirements for different breeds, sizes and ages of dogs as well as guidelines on how much food each type will require, depending on the level of activity.
If you are unsure, your vet will be happy to help and may have information leaflets you can take home with you that will provide good guidance. To get you started, here is a very helpful article, first published on the provet website in the UK – http://www.provet.co.uk/petfacts/healthtips/nutritionbreeds.htm
Puppies and young dogs need a good mixture of proteins, carbohydrates and fats because they are growing, together with vitamins and minerals. Mature and senior dogs often need less fat and carbohydrates. You should be aware that some dog foods contain ingredients that are less than desirable for the health of your pet.
This Yorkshire Terrier is full of life, thanks to a healthy diet!
Here Are a Few Tips on Choosing Commercial Brands of Dog Food
- Read the ingredients list. Look for organic ingredients wherever possible and check online reviews of different brands to see what other owners are saying.
- See if your vet recommends a particular brand or type of food and ask friends who have dogs themselves what brand they use.
- Some dogs may have allergies to ingredients in prepared foods and need to avoid grains, or sometimes beef or other meats. If allergies are a problem for your dog, consult your vet about which ingredients to avoid.
- More expensive brands are not necessarily better, just because they cost more.
It is certainly possible to save quite a lot of money by buying online from Amazon as they often offer free delivery and you get the products shipped right to your door. Many products are available on what Amazon call “subscribe and save” where you sign up to have a consignment shipped to you at intervals you specify. In this case, delivery is also free and you save an extra 5% off the price (which is often already heavily discounted!).
[easyazon-image asin=”B00139TT72″ alt=”Newman’s Own Organics Adult Dog Food Formula, 12.5-Pound Bag” src=”http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51BsFA4WXhL.jpg” align=”right” width=”145″ height=”250″]One of the most popular brands for adult dogs is Newman’s Own Organics Adult Dog Food Formula which 90 out of the 127 people who have left a review for, have given the full five stars! Many of them have commented how the formula of this food with its chicken and rice formula has benefited their dogs and particularly helped those with sensitive digestions or digestive problems.
Amazon customer review:-
“Our dog is 13 years old and for the last couple of years, his stomach has become particularly sensitive. We tried various brands of dog food before settling on Newman’s Own. Our dog loves it and has not had any more trouble with his stomach. It is hard to find though. I was buying it from a small local organic grocery store but they only carried it in the smallest size and I was paying almost twice as much as on Amazon. Now I have it set up on Amazon to ship monthly.”
This Brand comes in a variety of sizes and is available in both Adult and Advanced (senior) fomulas. At a discount of almost 24% on the Adult and 17% on the Advanced varieties, Newman’s Own Organics is a sound buy!
[easyazon-image asin=”B0018CICX6″ alt=”Nature’s Variety Dry Dog Food, Prairie Canine Chicken Meal & Brown Rice, 30-Pound Bag” src=”http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51seZTYxj5L.jpg” align=”right” width=”199″ height=”250″]Another really popular brand of dry dog food is Nature’s Variety Dry Dog Food, Prairie Canine Chicken Meal & Brown Rice which also comes in
Beef Meal & Barley or
Lamb and Oatmeal.
Extract from Amazon customer review:-
“I’ve literally spent days online researching all the different dog foods. There are many good ones out there, but most of them cost $2 and up a lb. My food doesn’t cost $2 a lb! This is the only top quality dog food I’ve found that I can afford. I’m absolutely certain it is the best value as it is currently $1.27/lb. with subscribe and save. I also love that I don’t have to haul 30 lbs. bags from the store anymore!”
Again, this brand is available in a variety of sizes and with great discounts (over 30% off recommended price on the chicken and rice 30 lb bag!)
Both the above options are available in the subscribe and save scheme from Amazon so, you can provide your dog with top quality nutrition and save money at the same time!
As important as providing a healthy diet, is to ensure that your dog drinks an adequate amount of fresh water each day. Preventing dehydration will help the urinary system and kidneys and will avoid bowel problems. If your dog seems unwilling to drink from a bowl in the kitchen or outdoors, you might consider investing in a pet fountain which provides your dog with a constant supply of fresh, running water to drink. You can read more about this in our article on pet fountains.
To browse the most popular dog food products on Amazon, under the heading “Organic Dog Food”, please use this link:
It is a big responsibility owing a dog. He relies on you to ensure he is well groomed, regularly exercised and protected from health threats such as heartworms, intestinal worms, fleas and ticks.
Choosing healthy dog food that will provide him with all the nutrients he needs for a long and happy life is just one way we can return the love and companionship our dogs give us.
