What to feed the dog is one of the major concerns among pet owners around the USA. After all, dogs are one of America’s most popular pets, and almost every human around the globe. People just love this pet companion for being cherished, fun-loving, and for creating a special bond with humans. However, watching your pet dog healthy all the time is only possible if you know about the proper dog diet and understand what kind of dog food is best for your pet dog.
Owning a pet can be a great experience undoubtedly, but keeping its health in great condition isn’t easy as most pet dog owners don’t understand the importance of providing a proper dog diet. Even though you are taking care of its vaccination, it will not be the only factor affecting your health. To keep their health in good condition you should take care of their diet first.
What Nutrition-Filled Best Dog Food Should Your Dog Get?
Your concerns about what to feed the dog can be understood. Dogs are carnivores by nature. This means that the primary element of their diet should be meat. However, you cannot just rely on one single item, while feeding fresh pet dog food. When they are in the wild they hunt small animals and occasionally eat fruits and certain vegetables. The same happened with wild dogs who can also eat fruits and vegetables over time.
While selecting the dog food, you will first need to understand that every dog breed is different and their nutrition requirement is different from each other. Fresh pet dog food may not be too good for your new puppy as they may have different requirements because they are growing up. Small dog breeds have different nutrition requirements than large breeds.
So you should get them specific formulas according to their needs. Consult with the dog vet to know about their nutritional requirements for better health. One of the proper dog diet you will want to add to the daily diet of your dog food is omega-3 fatty acids. Your dog requires a balance of basic dog food of omega-3 and 6. Most manufactured best dog food feature omega-6 so adding some omega-3 supplements would create a balance. Some of the major benefits of omega-3 are that
- It has anti-inflammatory features and helps dogs deal with arthritis and allergies.
- Older dogs have difficulties in cognitive functions and small puppies can develop cognitive function effectively with the help of omega-3.
- Your dog will grow beautiful and shiny fur and omega-3 will also affect their skin texture and energy levels as well.
Best Dry and Fresh Pet Dog Food
If you are thinking about what to feed the dog then these options shouldn’t be overlooked. Technically it isn’t as fresh but still, it is an affordable option for most pet dog owners. It is dog food in dry form. You don’t need to store it in the refrigerator which is a major advantage of not over wet food. It is approximately 90 percent dry substance and 10 percent water. This is why it is easy to store. Unlike homemade dog food, this dog food is created with a combination of ingredients such as grains and meat. The starch of the food can easily be converted into a digestible form with this procedure.
However, it also flashes, sterilizes the ingredients, and destroys the toxins. You can find a wide range of dog food varieties on shelves. If you want to have the best dog food for your pet dog then you will need to understand the proper dog diet first. If you choose high-quality dry dog food then it is more likely that it will contain appropriate ingredients for the dog. You should consult your dog’s vet or nutritionist for a better idea about the dog’s food.
Best Wet Dog Food
What to feed the dog shouldn’t be a problem as a pet dog can eat everything its human has to offer. However, not everything offered by humans is good. This is where canned dog food comes in handy. This is slightly more expansive but it is the best dog food for dogs that are too picky to eat. Most wet dog food brands offer the same ingredients as dry dog food but the quantity will not be the same.
Wet food offers fresh meat, fish, poultry, and animal byproducts. They also provide textured proteins derived from grains. The best dog food brands have a longer shelf life if stored in the refrigerator. If you want to get the best dog food for your dog then again you will need to consider your dog’s age, breed, and any other special dietary requirements. This is why you should talk to your vet first before buying any wet dog food.
Humans Foods Safe As Basic Dog Food
While not everything humans eat is good for dogs, some of them are good to be digested by the dogs such as:
Protein Diet
- Pork
- Lean beef
- Chicken
- Turkey
- Eggs cooked
- Fish such as salmon and sardines work great for dogs
- Cheeses such as hard cheese and cottage cheese work great if fed in moderation
- Yogurt is an acceptable snack if fed in moderation.
Grains
Though basic dog food contains meat but dogs in general required moderately- fermentable fibers. You will need to provide food with moderate fibers in them but high fibers are not good for dogs with high energy requirements. Also, the dogs are young and small.
- Quinoa
- Oatmeal
- Rice
- Corn
- Small amounts of plain bread are ok on occasion
Vegetables & Fruits
You should give your dog fruits as a proper dog diet that have a high amount of sugar in them. Such as:
- Green peas
- Sweet potatoes
- Blueberries
- Green beans
- Bananas
- Pumpkin
- Carrots
- Seedless watermelon
- Broccoli
- Apples
- Tomatoes as treats in small amounts
Other foods
There are some other types of food that you can give them as treats in moderation. Unlike dedicated dog food brands that offer every detail on the label of dog food, peanut butter for humans sometimes contains xylitol or added sugar which may not be a good option for dogs. So read it first before buying.
- Popcorn
- Coconut
- Honey
How Much Fresh Pet Dog Food Is Too Much?
Just like humans, dogs are also suffering from obesity problems as well. Veterinary communities are concerned about this issue as this will lead to different other dog health issues. However, if you already are following a proper dog diet plan and have a disciplined routine then your dog is highly unlikely to be having a great time.
The problem is that most dog owners overfeed their dogs while getting worried about what to feed the dog and this is the reason why you should take care of their weight and feeding routine with a proper dog diet. Also, a regular visit to the vet is compulsory to make sure that your dog doesn’t have any overweight issues or other health problems because of the wrong type of diet.
When it comes to shopping for dog food from dog food brands, you should check the feeding instruction about the food as well. They aren’t just printed there but they have the purpose to teach the pet dog owner to feed the dog according to its age, height, breed, and health. Some dogs may need more than recommended and some may less. It highly depends on the indoor and outdoor activities of dogs and the energy level of the dog
Bottom Line
When it comes to finding the answer to what to feed the dog then most pet dog owners will not take care of aft technical pet care guides and go for some short and easy guides that will not do the purpose. In this guide, we discuss almost every aspect of a proper dog diet so your dog will have the best dietary routine. A good diet means a dog with healthy skin, shiny fur, and strong joints plus keeping them energetic.
Some dogs may require more than the recommended amount, whereas others require much less. Activity level, time of year, nursing, illness, and more factors can all impact how much a dog needs to eat. Dog people will often advise that you should “feed the dog that’s in front of you” instead of strictly adhering to dog food serving size guidelines that may or may not be exactly what your dog needs.
