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.”
– so you can keep your pet healthy for less!