Freshpet knows that the quest for a healthy dog food can be quite difficult for pet parents, especially in a time where there is such an astounding amount of options on the market. While it can certainly seem daunting to choose a pet food that perfectly matches your furry friend, it is important to consider that the process can be stress-free if you know what to look for. In this article, Freshpet provides a couple of ways to choose a healthy dog food for your pet.
Keep Your Dog’s Breed, Health, Activity Level, and Age in Mind
Freshpet acknowledges that, while there are certainly qualities that healthy dog foods tend to have, the idea of what is healthy for a dog can be relative. For example, healthy active breeds will require more calories than laid back breeds in order to keep up with their lifestyle. In a similar vein, small dogs require a more nutrient dense diet relative to their weight than larger dogs do. Meanwhile, pet parents will note that their dogs’ nutrient needs will change as they approach senior age, usually requiring more protein than their younger counterparts. As pet parents, we have the responsibility to consider our dog’s needs and the shifts they may make as they age or develop ailments, and all these facets will shape what a healthy diet will look like.
Do Your Research
If you find yourself in the market for a new healthy dog food, Freshpet recommends that you do some cursory research on your options. The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) has standards for dog and puppy nutrition that can be found on a dog food’s label. The information provided can give you a good idea of the contents, but take what you see with a grain of salt and aim for foods that are known to use high quality ingredients. Experts recommend choosing foods that have a high bioavailability, meaning that your pet can get the most nutrients possible from them. It is also a good idea to choose a healthy dog food that has meat as the first ingredient and not many by-products or fillers. Keep in mind that many people have dogs and have a vested interest in their health and diets, and people in your lives with dogs can be a great resource for what foods may be good to try for your own.