Types of dog food
choosing the right kind and brand of dog food for YOUR dog is slightly
more complicated than that. This is because every dog is different
with different needs, likes and dislikes and perhaps also allergies
to certain food ingredients.
Experimental research has confirmed over and over again the connection
between nutrition and health and even between diet restriction and
life span. To optimize your dog's health via his menu you need to
know several things. If you are a new dog owner, you may start by
reading about interpreting dog food labels and the basic dog feeding
guidelines.
There are five main types of dog food: Dry, Canned, Semi-Moist;
Home Cooked Raw
Dry food is the most economical type of commercial dog food, and
this is the reason that many owners chose it for their dog. It also
lasts for a long time and does not need to be refrigerated. Dry
food can also help to keep your dog’s teeth healthy, since chewing
crunchy dry food helps to reduce tartar buildup. When it comes to
choosing a specific dry food, read the ingredients carefully, and
choose a brand that uses wholesome food as its primary ingredient.
Most dogs love canned, or wet, food, and it has a long shelf life,
and is easy to find at any supermarket, but it can be expensive.
For some owners, it’s definitely worth the expense, but not every
brand of commercial canned food provides the protein that your pup
needs. The real question is how much digestible protein it provides.
Indigestible protein will pass through your dog’s system without
being broken down into absorbable nutrients, so it's pretty much
useless to him.
A raw diet consists of raw meat, preferably with some bones (never
cooked bones, only raw) and organs mixed in, as bones are a natural
source of phosphorus and calcium. This type of diet works well for
many dogs, since dogs have short intestinal tracts and strong stomach
acids, both of which make it easy for them to consume and digest
raw food. Before transitioning your dog to a raw diet, talk to your
veterinarian about the benefits and risks.
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