A good dog food will contain meat, vegetables, grains, and fruits. The best dog foods contain high-quality versions of these ingredients that are appropriate for your dog's digestive system.
Look at the Protein Level
Generally, the higher the better: for a dog food you want it to be over 30%, ideally in the mid 30s or higher, and for a cat food you want it to be over 40%, ideally in the mid 40s. If it's below 30% for dogs or 40% for cats, you should pass on it. It is probably not a truly high-quality food.
Dogs get tired of eating the same thing every day.
They're fine eating the same thing all the time. Once you find a food that works well for your dog, stick with it. Changing types or brands of food can make your dog sick. If you do need to change their food, do it slowly over a few days.
Allergic reactions are usually the first indication that it's time to rotate food for your pet. Food allergies can range from itchy skin to hot spots and diarrhea. Every owner should be changing food about every 3 months or so to maintain variety and to avoid allergic reactions.
The 100% Rule
“All-beef jerky dog treats” must be all-beef meat with the exception of any water added for processing, decharacterizing agents (substances added to color the product so that it is not mistaken for human food) and trace amounts of preservatives and condiments.
The 95 Percent Rule: At least 95 percent of the product must be the named ingredient, for example, “Chicken for Dogs,” or “Salmon Dog Food,” must include at least 95 percent of chicken or salmon, respectively. In addition, this main product must be at least 70 percent of the total product when counting the added water.
Whole-food ingredients are minimally processed so they deliver the nutrients, vitamins, and fiber that pack the most value. The best diet for your dog is composed of whole-food ingredients – including fresh and raw meats, fruits, and vegetables — as opposed to powdered or synthetic ingredients.
Based on reviews from consumers, a lot of pet owners are happy and satisfied with their dog foods, so it does show that the brand has worked well with a lot of pets. Additionally, Royal Canin products are available in most pet stores and even veterinarian offices.
The 3% or “With” Rule. This rule states that any food label that contains “with” in the description must contain no less than 3% of the meat ingredient listed. Common examples include Made with Chicken and Dog Food with Beef.
Moreover, it is made using top quality ingredients! For instance, 80% meat content, 20% fruit, veg and botanicals and no grain.
Leaving your dog's food out all day can cause them to ignore it altogether. To break this habit, leave their food down at meal times for 10 minutes and even if they don't touch it, take the bowl away until the next meal.
The number of meals a dog eats per day depends completely on the family schedule. Dogs should eat at least two meals each day, about 12 hours apart. But a breakfast, lunch, and dinner schedule is an equally great option. If more than 12 hours elapses between meals, the stomach can become hyperacidic causing nausea.
Feeding 3 oz Cans of Wet Dog Food Give your dog one 3 oz can per 3 - 3½ pounds of body weight daily, divided into two or more meals. Adjust this amount as needed to help maintain your dog's ideal body condition.
Assuming your dog has a typical activity level, toy breeds should have about ¼ cups to 1 cup, small breeds should have about 1 cup to 1 2/5 cup, medium breeds should have about 2 cups to 2 2/3 cups, and large breeds should have about 2 4/5 cups to 3 cups.
Do you ever wonder whether your furry friend gets bored of eating the same food? Dogs have fewer taste buds than humans. So, while they will more than appreciate a mouthwatering meal when it's served up to them, they won't necessarily grow tired of eating the same food every day.
Before you attempt to switch your dog's diet to a new diet, understand that dogs can become bored with either the smell or texture of their food. Try adding meal toppers to their existing food. If that doesn't work, try swapping to a different flavour.
There are a lot of dog and cat foods sold as grain-free with marketing suggesting that feeding no grains is healthier. This is not true and can, in fact, cause illness for some dogs and cats. There is no medical or physiologic basis to feed dogs or cats a grain-free diet.