Nutrition
There are many good quality dog foods on the market, but unfortunately there are even more low quality foods. Likewise, there are many low-cost foods available but just as many expensive foods! It can be difficult to know what product is best for your new family member so we have compiled a few tips for choosing a quality food for your puppy. It is important to read labels and learn about the product you choose for your pet; the highest priced food is not necessarily the best product for your puppy. We do not require or recommend a specific dogfood because each dog requires varying nutrition depending on their environment and activity level, but we are happy to share our favorite brands.
Announcement: We are very sorry to report that the high-quality dogfood and supplements we have been using from All American Pet Products for many years are no longer available.
Food Quality:
Your large breed dog has special nutritional requirements and needs a high-quality food. There are certain brands that should be avoided, mainly the ones that have high advertising budgets and have ads on television all the time. There are many good dog food companies that have been bought out by large companies and a change in ingredient usually follows in effort to make the products more profitable. Following are some suggestions.
Ingredients:
This is where the quality starts and here are some of the things to watch for. The ingredients are listed by weight. The highest weight is the #1 ingredient in the food. For example, “Chicken” as the first ingredient sounds good, however, about 70% of the weight of the chicken is water. The first ingredient should be something like chicken meal, turkey meal, or something like that.
Avoid anything that has “by-products” in the name. There are some popular foods that are disguising this by calling their ingredient a “chicken meal by-product.” By-products are the waste of the chicken such as intestines, bones, beaks etc.
Guaranteed Analysis:
This is another way to compare the different foods and a very critical part for determining your dog’s needs. The top one is usually the protein level.
A guaranteed analysis lists the minimum amount of protein and fat by percentage and the maximum amount of fiber and moisture, also by percentage. Moisture can skew the comparison, though, so look for one converted to a dry matter basis, especially if you’re looking to compare dry food to wet food.
Although the guaranteed analysis provides a measure of nutrient categories, it does not indicate quality or digestibility of ingredients.
Look for Adequacy
You’ll also want to check the pet food label for a nutritional adequacy statement. This statement will read something like “This food is complete and balanced for all life stages,” “This food is complete and balanced for adult maintenance” or “This food is complete and balanced for growth and reproduction.”
Puppies have different needs than senior or adult dogs. So choose your dog’s food accordingly.
Find Feeding Trial Info
Along with the nutritional adequacy statement should be a statement that indicates how the adequacy statement was substantiated. This may be through feeding trials or through formulation to meet a nutrient profile. Foods that have undergone feeding trials are preferred. This indicates that the food has actually been fed to living dogs to make sure that the dogs not only were willing to eat the food but remained healthy while eating it.
The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) has established guideline for regulators to govern claims a pet food company can make on its label.
If the food is said to contain a single ingredient, it must contain at least 95% of that ingredient, not including water. If a combination of ingredients is advertised, that combination has to make up at least 95% of the food. For instance, if the food claims to be made solely of beef, beef makes up 95% of the food.
Phrases like dinner, platter and entrée means the foods must contain at least 25% of the named ingredient. If the name states “with” a specific ingredient (such as “with cheese”) only 3% of the named ingredient is required. Products that advertise specific “flavors” need to contain only a detectable amount of that ingredient.
Read Ingredients
Next, look at the list of ingredients. Keep in mind that ingredients are listed by weight. Ingredients that contain large amounts of moisture (such as beef, poultry, chicken, or fish) are likely to be at the top of the list because of the moisture content. Ingredients further down the list may offer even more key nutrients such as protein but may weigh less because the water has already been removed for a dry pet food.
Take Glutens and Grains into Consideration
Some of the controversies that surround pet foods include the use of grains, glutens and by-products. Grains are used in many pet foods and provide an excellent source of carbohydrates. Dogs can easily metabolize these carbohydrates and use them as an energy source. However, some people prefer to avoid grains in their dog’s food. Avoiding grains for those dogs that are allergic to them is a valid choice. However, allergies to other ingredients, including meats, are much more common than allergies to grains.
Gluten allergies are common in people and many pet owners choose a gluten-free food for their dog believing that the same is true for the canine species. However, gluten allergies are actually very rare in dogs.
Check the Facts on By-products
Pet food ingredients labeled by-products include highly digestible and nutritious organs, such as the liver and lungs. They do NOT include things like hair, horns or hooves, as advertising gimmicks would have you believe. It is a misconception that by-products are “unfit” for human consumption, though it is true that they are less popular ingredients for human food in the U.S. Most of the meat that we eat is derived from skeletal muscle rather than organ meats and other by-products.
Reputable dog food companies choose quality by-products to include in their foods so choose a company you can trust.
Ask Your Vet’s Advice
Genetics, age, life style and reproductive status all play a role in how much food your dog should eat. Ask your veterinarian to perform a body condition evaluation for your dog and make sure you know the basics too. It’s the best way to make sure your dog’s weight is on-track. It’s even better than the scale. The main point to remember is that you should be able to feel your dog’s ribs.
You might find that your dog needs a little less or a little more than what your dog food packaging suggests. Some dogs need special foods to help them lose weight. Ask your veterinarian for a dietary recommendation.
Do Homework on Your Brand
Information on sourcing and quality control in manufacturing is not required on pet food labels. You may be able to find the information on the company’s website but if not, call their consumer relations department and ask where its ingredients are sourced. Any reputable company with a quality product will be happy to engage with its consumers.
Next, see if the company manufactures in its own facility rather than outsourcing. This provides better control and safer food for your pup!