If it's the first time you've had a dog, or if you're about to, you're probably in a lot of doubt, such as "what food should I give my dog? Food is one of the fundamental pillars of pet care and it's something you should be very clear about. We give you tips to find the most appropriate food for your pet.
What food should I give my dog? What options do I have?
When it comes to choosing the base food for our pets, we find many options on the market. Let's review the ways of feeding domestic dogs:
Dry thinking
It is the most used product by those who have dogs at home. Commercial feed is a food specifically developed for pets with products of both animal and plant origin. It is really easy to find and there is a great variety that adapts to everyone's needs. Here you can find countless types of feed of great quality and the best brands; you can choose the one that best suits the needs of your pet.
Wet food
Dry feed is not the only dog food we can find in stores. Another option is wet food, also called canned dog food. It usually has a nutritional value similar to that of dry feed, can be substitute or supplement it.
BARF diet for dogs
If you prefer to give your dog a food free of processed foods, you have the option of the BARF diet, composed entirely of completely natural foods: bones, meats, eggs and vegetables. It is not as popular as feed, but more and more people are aiming to feed their dogs this type of diet, which is really beneficial.
Which of all the options is the best?
What's the best I can feed my dog? Well, the truth is, there is no single answer for this question. We could say that the best food for a dog is the one that best suits your needs.
Suppose you've decided to feed your dog with commercial feed or cans. How do I know what food I should give my dog? Follow these tips to find the best food possible:
Although it is still a processed food, within dog feed and canned food there are different qualities. Always opt for the best of all, the premium range, or at least the best you can afford.
Don't be guided by advertising or the supposed prestige of the brands: research yourself before buying which food is best for your pet, compare and decide.
Of course, if your dog has specific feeding needs for some health problem, you should keep that in mind.
Adapt food and quantities to your age. It does not feed the same as a newly weaned puppy as a young, adult or elderly dog. The type of feed will vary throughout your life; the one you choose now will not be forever.
Look at the labels of what you're considering buying. Look for the most natural food possible, with meats and vegetables in high percentage and good quality. Can you interpret a label? The earlier an ingredient is mentioned, the higher the percentage of it contains the food. Look for high percentages of fresh meat and escape cereals (with the exception of rice) and meat by-products.
Quality protein is in fresh meat, not in animal beaks, feathers and hair. Think "would I eat the ingredients that come out on this label?" If the answer is no, don't give it to your dog either. Remember: the most expensive or most famous feed is not necessarily the best.
What food should I give my dog on the BARF diet?
If you prefer to move on from commercial food and give your dog natural foods yourself, the BARF diet is excellent. In Waksman we have tons of items telling you their benefits and how to plan it!
It is based on bones, meat, eggs and a small percentage of vegetables, so it mimics, as far as possible, what would be the diet of the dog if he lived in the wild. That is, a diet inspired by the food of wolves and wild dogs, but adapted to the lifestyle and level of physical exercise of domestic dogs.
The BARF diet has a very positive impact on the health of dogs after only a few months. You'll soon see all the benefits it has in your hair, your vitality, energy... and happiness!
Whether you decide to feed your dog processed or natural food, always keep in mind that you must choose the best possible quality and adapt it to your pet's nutritional needs and other characteristics.