We want our pets to be happy and healthy, but this comes with great responsibility. We have to make the best decisions to ensure they get what they need, and establishing these needs is not always easy. A good starting point is weighting nutrition options. Choosing the best dog food can be the most difficult and confusing decision you have to make, especially if you have an elderly, sensitive dog.
Here are some key things to have in mind when it comes to choosing healthy and nutritious dog food for your special friend.
What Does Your Dog Like to Eat?
Dogs respond to each type of food in their own way. Your dog might not be thrilled with a recipe that your friend’s dog loves. It’s hard to predict how your dog will react to a diet, but analysing his eating habits can give you a clue about likes and dislikes. Does your dog seem reluctant or eager when approaching the food? In the process of finding an optimal diet, pay attention to your dog’s subtle reaction to each type of food.
Does Your Dog Have Health Problems?
Naturally, things get more complicated if your dog has a health condition that limits food options. Maybe there is a diet that could help with his health state by providing the right nutrients and vitamins. At the same time, there’s a possibility that there might be recipes that cause more harm than good.
After speaking to your veterinarian, you can adjust your dog’s diet by relying on personalized dog food services which adapt their recipes according to the special needs of each dog. A dog food subscription can eliminate many risks and offer your pet a meal that is both nutritious and delicious. You won’t have to struggle to ensure he eats his portion.
The relation between nutrition and health is incredibly intricate. Even if your veterinarian tells you your dog is perfectly healthy, this should not be a free pass to feed him anything. Some of the most widespread health conditions that affect dogs are caused by poor or improper nutrition and end up decreasing your pet’s life expectancy.
Another key thing to have in mind is that dogs with a health condition are prone to develop others. Obesity is the biggest culprit in this case. Unaware what’s the normal weight range for their pets, many dog owners overfeed them. Dogs affected by obesity are often co-diagnosed with arthritis, diabetes or high blood pressure. The dog food you choose to purchase must thus contain the right number of calories and fats to ensure your dog stays healthy.
What Is Your Dog’s Age?
Just like people, dogs have specific nutritional needs at each stage of their lives. Healthy food formulated for a puppy will not provide equal benefits to a senior dog. Puppies need high amounts of protein to grow muscular mass, which is not the case for an older dog with a lower level of activity. Senior dogs need food that supports healthy joints for example. The best approach is to read the labels and inform yourself about dog food ingredients before making a purchase.
Is your dog small or large? A healthy diet must be adapted to your dog’s size. In addition to size, it’s essential to analyze your dog’s activity levels. If your dog’s most energy-consuming activity is a casual walk around the block, you want to ensure that his diet does not cause him to gain excessive weight.
If your dog burns a significant number of calories regularly, the diet must be rich in fibre, nutrients and proteins. There is dog food specifically formulated to cover the nutritional needs of athletic dogs so they can maintain optimal body weight. The needs of an active dog are different than those of a sedentary dog, so don’t underestimate the impact that the wrong diet can have.
With all this in mind, it’s obvious that the healthiest dog food is the one that caters to your dog’s particular needs. Creating your pet’s nutritional profile and resorting to custom recipes is thus the only viable way to ensure he stays healthy and satisfied.
