Your dog is deserving of the very best that you can provide for it, and its food is no exception to this rule. It is not enough to simply give your dog food that is intended for dogs. If you are going to take time out of your hectic schedule to go out and get it some food, then you should make sure that it is the highest quality food that you can find. But how can you determine which brand of dog food is the healthiest option for your canine companion?
Examining the composition of the dog food, also known as its components or ingredients, is one of the most reliable approaches to take despite the fact that this is just one of quite a few possible courses of action.
What should be in good dog food?
Each and every brand of dog food is formulated with one primary objective in mind: to provide canines with all of the essential nutrients they need to reach their full potential. If dog food does not satisfy this need, then it is not worthwhile to purchase it at all.
However, it is one thing to fulfill the parameters necessary to be regarded as decent dog food, and it is an altogether different thing to be considered worthy of being dubbed one of the best dog foods that are now available on the market. This is where the components of the food that a dog eats come into play. Not only do you need to acquire dog food that satisfies the nutrient requirements, but you also need to obtain one that contains the best components for dog food.
The following is a list of some of the elements that you should be on the lookout for while you are shopping for food for your dog. If a dog food does not contain any of them, then you should probably not waste your money on it.
5 Things to always look for in dog food
Meat
It shouldn’t come as much of a surprise that meat is at the top of this list as it is a vital part of every dog’s diet and, in many ways, the most significant aspect of it. It is strongly recommended that you avoid feeding your dog any meal that does not include meat in some way.
This does not suggest, however, that you should feed your dog only meat, as it is impossible for any dog to live a healthy and happy life on such a diet for an extended period of time. Therefore, although the meat is a very significant component of the meal that you feed your dog, this does not mean that it should be the only ingredient (regardless of how much your dog may enjoy eating just meat!)
Carbohydrates
A good quality dog food should not only include the much-loved meat, but it should also contain a healthy amount of carbs as well. This is because carbohydrates help give your dog with all of the energy it needs to, well, be a dog! Rice, berries, kale, and squash are some of the greatest ingredients for dog food that provide sources of carbs. Other good sources include oats.
Fatty Acids That Are Necessary
The majority of the fatty acids that your dog requires can be created by it on its own. However, there are some that can only be obtained by the animal’s diet. The omega-3 fatty acids and the omega-6 fatty acids are the two most important ones. If a dog food does not contain any of these, then your dog will not receive enough of these vital nutrients, which can lead to health problems.
Vitamins
Vitamins are an essential component of the food that any living organism needs to survive. Your dog is not an exception to this rule. In general, canines have a need for vitamins A, B, D, E, and K. It is true that your dogs are able to obtain these vitamins from natural food sources; however, it is always a good idea to make sure that the food your dog eats provides them with an additional boost at each meal.
Fibers
Fibers are an additional component that should play an essential role in the diet of your dog. Not only do fibers assist in the maintenance of a healthy weight for your dog, but they also protect against oral infections and help the digestive tract function properly.