4 Facts You Need to Know About Dog Food
Homemade Puppies, LLC strives to be your trusted source for not only connecting with your new fur-baby, but also answering the dog related questions you may have to enhance your experience with your dog/puppy. Each week our in house dog expert, Katie, answers your puppy and dog questions. Submit your canine questions to info@homemadepuppies.com.
As always puppies advertised with Homemade Puppies, LLC are always 100% raised in-home by responsible family breeders...never raised outside or in a barn, etc. No Puppy Mills, ever. We promise. www.homemadepuppies.com
Here is this week's blog from Katie!
With the plethora of dog food available, it leads pet owners to wonder, "What food is best for my pet?"
Dog food is as varied as each of our pets are. There are some for puppies, active dogs, weight loss, seniors, specific health needs and more!
Here are some factors to help determine the best food for your dog.
1. Read the AAFCO statement.
Most commercially produced dog food ( those found on the shelves in a store) have a statement on the back of the bag from the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO). The statement includes : the product name, what species the food is for (dog vs cat), what life stage the food is intended for, and what process determines these findings. You may see "animal feeding tests" or "formulated" in the AAFCO statement. Feeding tests mean that the pet food company used laboratory analysis to conduct actual feeding trials to prove that their food is complete and balanced. Formulated means that according to laboratory analysis the food meets the nutritional needs of the life stage it's labeled for. The life stages are separated into two categories: adult maintenance and growth and reproduction. A food that is for "all life stages" must meet the more stringent standards for growth and reproduction.
In my personal opinion, when reading an AAFCO statement I would look for "feeding tests" and pick the specific life stage my pet is in. If my pet is 1 year old or older I would choose "Adult Maintenance". If my dog was a puppy ( under 1 yr old) then "growth and reproduction" or "all life stages" would be fine. An example of how this type of AAFCO statement would read is " Animal feeding tests using AAFCO procedures substantiate that Pet Food X provides complete and balanced nutrition for adult maintenance".
For more information on AAFCO go to http://www.AAFCO.org
2. Canned vs dry food
The big difference between canned dog food and dry dog food is how they are processed. Canned food starts with grinding the protein source, then adding a gravy that contains vitamins, minerals, and grains. Once those are mixed, the food is cooked and sterilized to produce the canned product. Therefore canned food has a much higher moisture content than dry food. Usually around 78% vs dry food which has something like 10% moisture content. Dry food generally has very similar ingredients but instead of adding gravy and canning the meat mixture is pulverized in order to create a dough that can be cooked. Once cooked, the dough is cut into the kibble pieces and dried, and then sprayed with fats, oils, vitamins and minerals, then packaged. Some dry dog foods add live probiotics to aid in digestion and immune health. Both canned and dry foods have benefits. Canned foods can sometimes be more appealing to dogs, it can create a longer feeling of being "full", and canned food can be easier to chew which can be good for dogs who have dental or oral problems. Dry food encourages a dog to chew their food, which can aid in preventing tartar buildup. It's more convenient to store and pre-portion dry food, and dry food is generally less expensive.
3. What about Raw?
Raw food closely mimics the diet the pet would eat in the wild. Many pets prefer the fresh taste of raw food. Raw food provides vital nutrients in their natural form and provides live enzymes that are often missing in some kinds of processed food. Raw food can be hard or impractical to feed at times however. Traveling or boarding a pet poses a difficultly for raw feeding. Raw feeding can be the most costly way to feed your dog. Also, getting the right nutritional balance for your dog can be tricky when raw feeding. There are some alternatives to raw feeding. Freeze dried raw food, which is raw food with the moisture removed while still keeping the enzymes intact, is an easier method to raw feeding. You can also use raw food as a treat. Raw bones are an excellent source of minerals, essential fatty acids, proteins, enzymes and more. There is a wonderful resource for raw feeding in Lancaster County, PA. The Real Meal is a business that makes raw food tailored to your dog's nutritional needs. Check out http://www.realmealpetfood.com or use this link for a $10 discount on your first order. Click Here.
4. Price
We all want to feed our pets the best food possible. Reality is that our budgets may play a part in what we can afford to feed our dogs. There is some very pricey dog food on the market. However, the higher the price does NOT mean the better the food. Don't feel guilty if you are not feeding the priciest food on the shelves. Looking at what is in your budget, along with the other factors discussed in this article, and I'm sure you will be able to find a food that is a good fit for your dog.
One of the most debated topics is pet food! The best way to tell if the food you are feeding your dog is good is to look at your dog. Are they happy, healthy with good stools, a good weight, a shiny coat? If yes, then the food they are eating must be doing a good job!
Do you have a question for Katie? Submit your question(s) to info@homemadepuppies.com.
Looking for a puppy? We have a large variety of puppies from pure-bred to mixed breed and large to small. Check out the in-home raised puppies we offer at www.homemadepuppies.com. The puppy's information such as location, description, price, breeder's contact information will be listed on the puppy's page. As always puppies advertised on Homemade Puppies are always 100% raised in-home...never a kennel or barn, etc. No Puppy Mills, ever. We promise.
Do you have a litter of in-home raised puppies that you would like to advertise on www.homemadepuppies.com? Email info@homemadepuppies.com for more information on how to get started!
Don't forget to catch Katie's blog from last week: https://www.homemadepuppies.com/fireworks-safety
