Choosing the Right Food For Your Dog

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     Grocery store shelves are filled with countless food options for canines. They are categorized by taste, cost, stage of life, and other criteria. For the owner who wants to ensure she is giving her pet the proper food, selecting the right one can be a daunting experience. The more choices there are, the most confusing the decision becomes.

This article will provide a simple guide for choosing a dog food that meets your pet's nutritional requirements. There are many good brands available that have been formulated for canines at every stage of their development. Here, we'll focus on your options, and the information you'll see on the labels, including how to interpret it. We'll also provide a few tips for making the right choice.

Know Your Options

Don't assume your choices are limited to those you walk past in the grocery store. In fact, the foods sold there tend to contain low-quality ingredients. They may be priced to fit a tight budget, but can cause digestion problems that deprive your pet of the nutrients he needs.

Several companies manufacturer dog foods with high-quality ingredients. While the price is higher than the budget brands you'll see at the grocery store, they are generally better for your canine's health. Also, keep in mind that you can usually give less premium food to your pet than the amount you would give him of a low-cost brand. The reason is because the nutrients are more likely to be absorbed by his body rather than passing through him. He doesn't need to eat as much.

Some companies sell dog foods that have been manufactured with fewer preservatives and chemicals than other brands. They are more "natural." They tend to cost more, but are typically filled with high-quality ingredients. Many veterinarians recommend this option since canines that eat these foods often show signs of better health (more energy, vibrant coat, etc.).

Become Familiar With The Label Details

Most owners neglect to study the labels on the foods they buy for their pets, believing the products are relatively the same. In fact, the labels reveal information that many people would find surprising. It's worth learning how to interpret them.

An organization called the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) maintains standards and nutrient profiles for dogs. Food manufacturers print on their labels whether a given product meets, and even exceeds, the standards set by the AAFCO. This tells the owner whether the product is of a certain level of quality.

The AAFCO maintains two standards for pet foods. The first requires that a given product is tested in a lab for the amount of fats, proteins, and other nutrients it contains. The second standard is more stringent. It requires that a pet food is tested on other animals, and that those animals showed signs of good health.

There is a noteworthy problem with these standards. Pet food manufacturers that have met them on one product can include them on the labels for all of their products within the same line. The only requirement is that the other products offer at least the same volume of nutrients.

For example, suppose there are five varieties of pet food within a manufacturer's line. If one of the five undergoes rigorous testing and meets the AAFCO standards, the labels on all five can reflect it. This is the case even if the other four products did not undergo the same testing. The AAFCO standards and nutrient profiles are invaluable, but consider them in the proper context.

Ask The Veterinarian For Recommendations

Your canine's veterinarian is one of the best sources of insight on dog foods. He or she can provide information on the level of nutrition provided by various brands. The vet can also share observations of other dogs based on the foods their owners give to them.

Your dog's long-term health is based, in part, on the nutrition he receives from his diet. Learn about the different types of food available for him, and how to read the labels on the packaging.