With dog food, similar to anything else, you usually get what you pay for. If you buy cheap dog food, you can expect to get a low-quality product as well. For a robust Labrador or Poodle, this may not make a huge noticeable difference. Poodles and Labradors are generally very healthy. For more fragile dog breeds, however, poor food choice could be detrimental. One indicator is the shine of the coat. If the coat looks limp and drab, the dog may not be getting all of the nutrients needed from the food. More importantly, however, is what is happening on the inside of the dog. Is the food giving all the vitamins and nutrition necessary for strong bone and muscle development? Will the dog have the energy and enthusiasm appropriate for age? No matter which breed, high quality food will lead to a happier and longer life.
Most of the information I will share in this post comes from my own experience and from Farr West Animal Hospital. I will be including some material found in their new owner puppy kit. I also will reference other websites of interest.
With the explosion of dog food brands and types of pet foods available on the market, there is a lot of confusion about what is best or right for your dog. Some products claim to have ingredients specifically targeted for skin, age, indoor pets, joint health, high energy, etc. The list can go on and on.
When I purchased our first puppies, the breeder swore to us that only organic brands of puppy food should ever be given to dogs. She claimed that corn is actually harmful for dogs. I had never heard this before, so I began to do my research. I found that corn is one of the most common ingredients in dog food. Corn is an easy filler ingredient used by most dog food companies. I was concerned.
Browsing through the market, I found a good quality grain-free puppy chow and started using this for our puppies. I continued my research. I discovered good quality dog food and puppy food doesn’t have to be grain-free or even corn-free. Corn isn’t really harmful to pets as long as it is not the main ingredient. Here are a few guidelines:
- Read the ingredient label. Just because a pet food has pictures of something appetizing on the bag does not mean that it contains that ingredient in high enough quality to make any difference. Ingredients that show up far down the list are present in such minuscule amounts that they are providing no real benefit to your dog. According to Healthy Pets with Dr. Karen Becker some key things to watch for in an ingredient label are –
- High in high-quality protein (muscle meat, not pieces and parts)
- Moderate levels of animal fat
- High levels of EPA/DHA
- High moisture content (prey is 70 percent water)
- A few fresh cut veggies and a bit of fruit (to mimic stomach contents of prey)
- No or few grains (carnivores don’t have a biologic requirement for grain)
- No wads of potatoes or other starches to offset meat content
- The grain debate. There has grown a common misconception that these grains are inherently “bad” or indigestible. This is simply not true. What is true is that these ingredients are lower-quality sources of protein and fat compared to meat sources. Unless your pet has an allergy or intolerance, you don’t need to avoid all food with grains. Just try to choose a product that has them in a supporting role, not at the top of the list.
- AAFCO approved. AAFCO stands for the Association of American Feed Control Officials. They have no regulation authority, but they do provide guidelines and give approval to different products both for animals and humans. Try to purchase a product with their stamp of approval if possible.
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- Price. As a general rule, plan on spending about a dollar per pound for good dog food. Higher quality ingredients are more expensive. Occasionally, however, you are paying for marketing more than quality. This is why it is important to read the ingredient list to make sure the food is living up to its claims. Specifically notice where corn (or other grains) falls on the list. If it is near the top, then there is too much grain. It is only a filler. Cheap foods are almost always poor quality with extremely marginal meat and grain sources that offer little nutritional benefit. Buy food in the highest price-point that you can afford, just read the labels first! Make sure you are really getting the quality in the food you are paying for.
- Special formulas. Special diets for senior dogs, breed-based, and indoor only dogs are in reality only a marketing tool. There are only two legally defined categories for complete and balanced dog food: one adult maintenance and growth & development (puppies). This means there is no set standard for Chihuahua only or Doberman specific. There is no one important food for indoor only dogs. Often, other than price, the only difference between special food and regular food is marketing. They might include one special ingredient way down on the list, which really isn’t going to make much improvement for your pet. Read the ingredients carefully before deciding to upgrade to a special diet food.
- Supplements. Pet food claiming to offer joint health benefits are becoming increasingly popular. Generally, the joint-health supplements in these food are glucosamine and chondroitin, the building blocks of joint fluid and cartilage. While these supplements offer undeniable benefits if given at the therapeutic dosage, the actual amout of the supplement in pet food vary widely. Many foods that are marketed as “joint health” or “mobility” actually have very little of the supplements. They are far too little to make any difference. Again, read the ingredient list or look online for ingredients lists to find a food that actually does what it claims to do. You can always ask your vet for recommendations.
- Brand loyalty. Transitioning from one brand of dog food to another can cause stomach irritations, resulting in nausea or diarrhea, so try to avoid switching between different food sources as much as possible. When a switch is needed, transition as slowly as you are able to in order to avoid nasty side-effects. Give only 1/4 of the new food mixed in with the previous food. Then gradually over the next two or three days increase the amount of new food with the old until the dog is completely eating the new food. This will allow the stomach to adjust to the new ingredients without becoming upset.
- Large corporations. Local, smaller companies are often nice to deal with since they usually make a personal effort to incorporate local, healthy food choices. However, larger companies have an advantage as well. Often they have the resources to hire a nutritionist or veterinarian, as well as fund ongoing research. They can boast that they have experts on their side and afford to brag about it. When choosing between the two, do a little research online. Has the company had very many of the dog food recently or regularly? This might be a red flag. In the end, read the ingredient list. Sometimes a bigger name brand doesn’t necessarily mean a better product.
- Portion amount. Giving a dog the right about of food is important. Too much food or free-feeding can lead to obesity, higher risk of cancer, early onset of arthritis, and diabetes. To avoid these problems, give your dog or puppy the right amount for the age and breed. Dog food bags are usually labeled with the recommended amounts for each serving. Have regular set times for feeding, plus water available throughout the day. To read more about how to figure out the right amount here.
- Exercise. Every dog, just like people, needs daily exercise. A little dachshund or chihuahua will certainly need significantly less than a Labrador Retriever, yet will still benefit from regular activity. Don’t go running right after meal time or you might upset the stomach. Instead, go running or play a vigorous game before feeding. Then give the dog a break with a meal and a generous supply of water. The happy animal will love you for the attention and care. The regular exercise will help with food digestion as well as muscle retention. Along with the good nutrition of the food, exercise is the next best thing you can do to ensure your best friend will have the longest life possible.
The basic, most important step in finding quality dog food is the first step: reading the ingredient list and labels. Research food products online. There are several good-quality dog food available, but be aware that there are also a lot of mediocre foods wrapped up in pretty packages. When in doubt, ask your local vet for a recommendation. A qualified animal doctor can help find quality food for your dog that will also fit your budget. Taking the time and putting forth the effort to pick the right meal package can help prevent obesity as well as other problems while keeping your best friend around a little longer. The results are worth the investment.
