| We all love our dogs and want to give them the best | | | | are essentially two types of dry dog food on the |
| life has to offer. But with so many variations of dog | | | | market: premium dog food and economy dog food. |
| food in the market, it isn't always easy to identify | | | | A smart owner will avoid purchasing the economy |
| the best food for our dog. Who can possibly feel | | | | food, which is made from lower grade ingredients |
| confident when so many brands trumpet buzzwords | | | | (for example, economy dog food will often substitute |
| that hit the human aisles not long ago, such as "rich in | | | | cheap corn for the more expensive meat |
| antioxidants," "highly digestible," "Omega-3 fatty | | | | byproducts). The "end" result, as it were, is that your |
| acids" and "Ultra Premium Formula"?What we can do, | | | | dog can't absorb many nutrients but simply passes |
| though, is to conduct a simple dog food comparison | | | | the food through his body. So in addition to enjoying |
| to determine which foods best fit our dog's | | | | less nutrition, your dog will produce larger stools -- |
| requirements and our personal schedule. After all, | | | | and you might find yourself with more frequent vet |
| some foods offer much greater convenience than | | | | bills.Other Popular Contenders: Canned, Semi-Moist |
| the more natural, less processed types of food | | | | and More |
| which may require freezing, thawing, cooking and | | | | Other categories of dog food include the semi-moist |
| preparation.Convenience aside, the best food to give | | | | type and canned food. Many owners like to mix in |
| your dog depends not on the brand or the style, but | | | | some canned food with dry food, to potentially |
| rather on your dog's age and any special | | | | cover more nutritional bases without taking too big a |
| requirements he might have. For example, older dogs | | | | hit to the pocketbook.Semi-moist food is attractively |
| require food containing a careful balance of protein, | | | | convenient to owners, and dogs love it. |
| fat and fiber. Most commercial dog food companies | | | | Unfortunately, it may cause dental problems in the |
| address this need with offerings such as senior dog | | | | mid-term and worse in the long term, because |
| food, containing about 18 % protein, and food for | | | | semi-moist food is loaded with corn syrup and other |
| dogs diagnosed with renal failure, containing about | | | | sugars, which dogs just aren't designed to |
| 14% protein.Dare to Compare Dry Dog Food | | | | process.Recently, more natural, "premium" dog food |
| The vast majority of dog owners go for dry dog | | | | has been introduced to the market, in which higher |
| food. Between the supermarket and specialty pet | | | | quantities of quality, nutritious ingredients are used to |
| stores, owners enjoy many brands to choose from. | | | | manufacture the food -- often human-grade, in fact. |
| Dry dog food consists of kibble typically made from | | | | Since vegetables, fruits, real meat and quality grains |
| one primary ingredient such as chicken, beef or lamb. | | | | are used as the primary protein source in the |
| More specifically, the main ingredient is usually a meat | | | | highest-quality dog foods, these foods are a fast |
| byproduct that's been processed, dried and sold in | | | | route to healthy skin and beautiful fur. For the most |
| packs or bags for easy dispensing. Needless to say, | | | | part, they contain no artificial coloring and |
| meat byproducts are far cheaper than meat, so this | | | | preservatives, but are chock-full of vitamins and |
| type of dog food is not only easy to store, it's much | | | | minerals instead.Although this food costs more, you |
| less expensive than other types.Hard kibble comes | | | | can feed your dog less of it, because it's more |
| with some advantages. For example, it gives your | | | | nutritionally dense. So in terms of both convenience |
| dog's mouth some exercise, and kibble's less likely to | | | | and nutrition, a premium, natural dog food is one of |
| contribute to plaque than softer foods.When | | | | the best choices available to your dog, whether |
| comparing brands, it helps to remember that there | | | | off-the-shelf or purchased online. |