With so much information on the internet and conflicting advice on social media, it is often hard to decide which diet is best for your dog. Another key factor is your budget and what you feel is reasonable to spend on your dog’s food. The main idea is to do your best for your pet. Your veterinarian is also a good source of information regarding any questions relating to your dog’s health. They can give you advice based on any ongoing medical conditions, allergies, and based on the breed of dog you have.
Another good resource is the internet where you can research the pros and cons of various diets and dog food brands. Pet MD has a slideshow with a few of the factors that go into making dog food which can help you select the best match for your dog: How to Choose the Best Dog Food.
You will also need to consider your dog’s activity level and age when choosing a food. Dog Food Insider has some great advice and says the following about activity levels… “Dog foods are generally labelled by age such as, For Growing Puppies, or Seniors, or All Life Stages. Most adult dogs will do well on a “maintenance” diet and most brands offer a maintenance food with plenty of protein and healthy fat. These foods are for average activity level dogs – not dogs who are extremely active or doing any kind of performance work. If your dog is performing and getting lots of exercise – such as regular agility work or lure coursing, for example – you would want to look for a “performance” type food with a higher protein and fat content to supply him with the energy he needs”[1] You always need to match the food to the age and activity level of the dog so that he is never feeling hungry or gains too much weight.
Also, it is important not to always follow all the trends you hear about, or you might end up doing more harm than good. Switching food type or even simply changing the brand of dog food you use, can be upsetting to dogs. Especially if the change is sudden, your dog can suffer from diarrhea or vomit. It is always best to transition to a new diet gradually over a few days, so your dog’s stomach has time to adjust.
When trying a new food, also check for your dog’s reaction. Some pets struggle with certain textures and will refuse to eat food if it is either too hard or too soft. In this case it is sometimes not worth the effort to try and force your dog to eat a food if it causes him too much emotional stress.
Although the food sold at veterinary offices is usually the top of the range with all the vitamins and minerals your pet needs, you can also find good dog food at pet stores or the supermarket that are more reasonably priced.
The best way to choose a food for your dog is by allowing your dog to decide to a certain extent. Unless your vet feels that a specific diet is necessary, it is often best to stick to what you both feel comfortable with. If a special food or diet is working for your dog and he is enjoying it, you have no need to change to a different type of food.
Move Your Doggie offers dog walking and pet sitting in Ajax, Whitby, and Oshawa in Durham Region. Our Services also include feeding with our visits. So, whatever your dog’s dietary requirements are we will follow your feeding instructions to keep your dog in his routine.
Feel free to Contact Us for your complimentary meet and greet, or post a comment below.