While pets across the world might have different personalities, there are two things that they all have in common, and make them perk up instantly: food and you. They’ve already gotten the best pet parents in you. Have you made sure that they get the best in the food department as well?
With the large variety of dog foods available in the market today, it can be daunting for pet parents to pick the right food for their furballs. Today, we’re here to break it down for you by discussing the pros and cons of different types of dog foods and help you make the right choice for your furred friends.
Raw Dog Food (Frozen Food)
Raw dog food is basically a frozen or freeze-dried form of raw meat for your pet. Ideally, this is the best type of food for all dogs since it resembles their natural diet most closely and is very nutrient-dense. However, it has its own set of problems as well. First and foremost, raw dog foods are the most expensive dog food type; they can cost almost double the price of other dog foods, which take a toll on your wallet.
And even if you forget your budget for once, there are other factors to consider. Raw dog foods should be stored properly in a freezer. If the power goes out even for an hour, they can potentially go bad. Even under ideal conditions, it has a much shorter shelf life (3-4 days at best), which means you’ll have to keep buying fresh batches twice a week. Not to mention how you’ll have to wash your dog bowl after every meal, dispose of any leftovers properly, and clean their feeding spots thoroughly to get rid of any lingering odour.
Dry Dog Food
Contrary to raw dog foods, dry dog foods are the most budget-friendly type of dog food in the market. Available in the form of kibbles, flakes, and biscuits, this dog food variety is not just economical but also has the longest shelf-life, is easy to serve and clean up, and doesn’t require any preparation. It doesn’t leave behind any odour and, due to its crunchy texture, provides your dogs with a little dental exercise as well.
The only downside to dry dog food? With the market filled with countless dry dog foods from different brands today, it is not easy to find one of good quality that’s free of artificial flavours and preservatives and has a high nutritional value. The ideal way to determine which dry dog food is the best for your little furball is by getting the help of pet experts who understand your pet’s needs better than you do.
Canned Dog Food (Wet Dog Food)
While dry dog food can accommodate most dogs, if your pet is quite a picky eater or seems to have lost their appetite, dry food isn’t going to cut it for them. It is for such pets that canned dog foods work best. They might be slightly more expensive than dry dog food, but they’re easy to store and serve and taste better for your pets. Moreover, when bought in bulk, you could even save a considerable amount of money.
That being said, there are two issues with canned dog foods. One is the issue of their strong, repulsive odor, while the other is their fat-protein ratio. Unlike dry dog foods, these have a relatively high fat and low protein content, creating a nutritional imbalance in your pet’s diet. The presence of moisture in these foods further dilutes their nutritional value. So, if you’re buying canned food for your pet, always go for those with a “100% nutritionally complete” label.
Semi-Moist Dog Food
The most important thing that you must know about semi-moist dog food is that it’s never ideal to be present as a constant in their diet. With its high water, salt, and sugar content, along with the risk of added color, flavors, and preservatives, this dog food only serves your pet best as an occasional treat.
Home-Cooked Food For Your Pet: Yay or Nay?
If you have the time to invest in cooking for your little pet every day, home-cooked food might just serve them the best. Your pets will love the variety that comes with it, meaning they needn’t eat the same old dog food day after day until they get bored. It also provides nutritional variety, contributing to your pet’s overall health.
But in order to cook for your pets yourself, you must have two things: a bigger budget and thorough knowledge of the right ingredients and process you must use to serve them a safe, healthy meal. Our pet experts can help you in that department if you like.
We understand how important making the right choice could be when it comes to picking food for your pets. We hope our list helped!
1 comment
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