Choose the Right Food for Your dog

Step 1: Consider your dog’s age, activity, breed, and reproductive status.

Your dog’s physical characteristics, behavior, and overall health are enormously important when choosing an appropriate dog food. Puppies and lactating mothers require more calories per day, while senior pets require fewer. Similarly, highly active breeds require more calories than couch potato breeds–the type and amount of food fed correctly will help your dog avoid health issues as a result of obesity.

 2: Know the “buzz words” on food packaging.

Would you believe the actual wording on the package is a sort of code for HOW MUCH of any one protein is found in the food? According to the FDA analysis of pet food labels, simple names like “Beef for Dogs,” or “Chicken Dog Food” indicate that the listed protein comprises 95% of the total product, not including the water content. With water added, the results come to a required 70%.

3: Learn to read the ingredients.

Keep in mind that the label lists ingredients based on weight, and meats or meat meals take the first spot because they contain a high water content. Choose a food with a meat or meat meal as the first ingredient. Dogs are omnivores, and only under extreme circumstances (such as very bad allergies) should they be fed a vegetarian diet.

4: Decide if grain-free is right for your dog.

If you think you need to switch to a grain-free diet because you suspect Fido has a food allergy, visiting your vet is a really good idea. Grains are not bad for dogs unless they have a severe allergy, and oftentimes you can avoid the higher price tags that accompany these formulas.

5: Check the nutritional adequacy statement.

Usually located with the rest of the nutritional information on a bag or can, the adequacy statement might say, “provides complete and balanced nutrition for maintenance of adult dogs,” or for “all life stages,” or “puppies.” You get the idea. Always look for the AAFCO statement on the back; membership is voluntary by companies, but AAFCO’s high standards ensure that the nutritional value is there.