The Best Dog Food to Feed Your Pooch

The wide selection of dog food available in stores today can make it difficult to choose the best dog food for your pet. This question is one of the most frequent ones asked by pet owners when they take their dogs to the vet. The short answer is this: there is no one "best" dog food for each and every dog. However, using a set of criteria and knowing what your dog's needs are will help you to determine what the best dog food is for your pet.

The Easy Decision

The first choice you need to make when it comes to selecting the best dog food is a fairly simple one, if you know what choice to make. These days, commercial dog foods are either grain-based or meat-based. The best choice for healthy dogs (who don't have heart or kidney problems) is a meat-based food.

Meat-based dog foods are the best because they provide better nutrients than grain-based foods. It is now a standard fact that protein is a necessary staple for a dog's diet. Meat-based dog foods to a great job in providing this protein. While meat-based dog foods can include lamb, turkey, fish, beef and venison, many experts feel that chicken-based dog foods are the best choice.

Just the Guidelines

While no one dog food can be declared the best for all dogs, there are certain guidelines you can follow when selecting your dog's food that will ensure that your pet is getting the proper amount of nutrition from their food. Just like people food, dog food has nutrition labels that provide information about the nutrients inside. You should look at these labels when deciding what dog food is best for your pet.

When you look at the guaranteed analysis, make sure to note the amount of protein contained in the dog food. This number should be at least 30 per cent. Additionally, make sure to look at the fat percentage as well. The food should contain at least 18 per cent fat. Other things you should look for are the presence of Vitamin E, the presence of Vitamin C, and the presence of Omega 3 fatty acids.

Food for Health and Happiness

The best dog food for your dog comes down to what keeps your dog healthy. It is important to make sure that your dog is getting the proper amount of nutrients, because only a healthy dog will be truly healthy. Consult your dog's vet for more information about a healthy choice for your dog.