How To Choose the Right Food for Your Dog

Talk to your vet.

Your vet is the expert, so a good place to start is by asking your vet’s advice.

• Your vet can determine what your dog needs based on his health. Active dogs require higher protein intake, while inactive dogs need low-calorie food.
• If your vet suggests a brand that is sold in the office, then conduct a little research before you grab a bag. Often, veterinarian offices sell high-quality pet foods. Sometimes, the foods are no better than something at a discount grocery store.

Know what ingredients you are NOT looking for.

Knowing what you do not want in your dog’s food is often easier than finding what you want.

• Preservatives are used to keep the food from spoiling. Some preservatives are safe for your pet, while others are harmful chemicals. Many of these chemical preservatives are thought to cause cancer. Chemicals to stay away from include ethoxyquin, BHA (butylated hydroxyanisole), and BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene).
• If the meat product in the food is not labeled for what it is, then you should stay away. “Meat” is not a sufficient label.
• By-products will also not be specified and will not be found in a good dog food.
• As with any food, stay away from pet food that is high in sugar. Sugar may be labeled as “corn syrup,” “high-fructose corn syrup,” or simply “sugar.”

Pay attention to the label.

The label tells all. Do not take anyone’s word or advice without doing your own research. Also, choose a food based on your pet’s needs. For example, if your pet needs extra protein for his active lifestyle, then make sure meat is at the top of the list.

• Knowing how to read the label is very important. The label will list the ingredients in descending order based on quantity content. For instance, the first ingredient listed will be the main ingredient of the food. The last item listed means that the food contains the least of that ingredient.
• You will be familiar with the ingredients of higher-quality foods. There might be one or two words you cannot pronounce, but all other ingredients should be familiar to you. Corn, wheat, eggs, and oatmeal are just a few examples.
• A dog that needs a high protein diet will need food that contains lots of protein. So, the protein source (chicken, beef, etc.) should be listed near the top of the ingredient list.

Don’t go TOO cheap or expensive.

The price of the item should not fool you. In general, high-quality foods will be a little more pricey than lower-quality ones. However, not all expensive dog food is high quality.

• Many people recommend that you stay away from grocery store food in general. Most grocery stores provide food at lower prices than specialty stores. For this reason, they probably do not carry quality dog food. However, with the new organic craze, many stores are starting to carry natural pet foods. No matter what, pay attention to the label, and don’t fall for the slick words on the packaging.
• More than likely, your veterinarian can provide you with a good dog food. As mentioned earlier, even under the recommendation of a vet, you should conduct your own investigating.

Pay attention to your pooch.

You can buy the highest-quality food imaginable, but your pet may hate it. After all, the whole point is so he can eat, right?

• If you purchase a new food, make the transition from his old food slow. Pouring out something completely unfamiliar may interrupt his eating habits.
• It is perfectly okay if your pet does not like the food. You may have to try a couple of different brands before you find one he likes.
• Don’t force your pet to eat anything. You never know when or if the food may be causing your pet discomfort, such as a stomach ache.