Making the right decision when it comes to choosing what food to give your dog can sometimes be tricky, with lots of different options to choose from. Dogs, like humans, have some unique nutritional requirements that can sometimes vary depending on a number of factors including their gender, breed, age, activity levels, health, and more. The right diet can be transformative for your dog, causing improved health, an ideal weight, balancing their energy levels, and even improving their behavior, which is why it’s so important to make sure that your dog is eating well. Before you decide what to feed your dog, consider these important factors.
Veterinary Advice:
If you aren’t sure what you should be feeding your dog, it’s worth getting some advice from your vet. Your vet will be able to help you determine if your dog has any special nutritional requirements due to a health issue, along with pinpointing if there are any certain types of food that your dog is likely to have an allergic reaction to. This will make narrowing your choices of dog food down easier and help you determine what your best options are. Bear in mind that many vets work in partnership with pet food companies, so they might recommend the food that they sell, but you don’t have to choose it straight away.
Dog Breed:
What breed is your dog? This will play a large part in determining what your dog should be eating, as breed often has a huge effect on certain key characteristics like energy levels. A high-energy breed like a Border Collie, for example, might benefit from a food that is richer in carbohydrates compared to lower-energy breeds since they’ll need that extra fuel and are more likely to burn it off throughout the day.
Your Dog’s Age:
Consider the current age of your dog and where they are when it comes to their development. Dogs will need to eat differently at different stages of their life, from puppyhood to old age. Dogs that are pregnant or have recently given birth to a litter of puppies will also need a dietary adjustment to ensure that they are getting the additional energy that they need for this stage in their life.
Switching the Food:
It is also worth thinking about how you plan to switch your dog’s food, as it is often easier to switch to certain types of food than others depending on what your dog is currently eating. For example, if you have decided that raw feeding would be a good option for your dog, you will want to avoid mixing the raw food with kibble and instead make a straight swap over to avoid stomach upset. If making a straight swap to raw feeding, it is a wise idea to start out simple with only one source of protein as your dog gets used to their new diet and adds more options such as organ meat as time passes.
Time Constraints:
Some dog food diets are easier to feed than others, so think about how much time you have at your dog’s mealtimes and how much time you have in the day or evening to prepare food for your dog. The time needed to source and put together meals for your dog might make you apprehensive about raw feeding if you’re pushed for time, but the good news is that Bella and Duke make it easier than ever with a dog food delivery service of healthy, prepared raw meals that are ready for your dog to eat. Try a dog food delivery service from Bella and Duke if you want to give your dog all the benefits of raw food but don’t have much time to prepare their meals. You can also find helpful guides to a raw food diet on their site.
Your Budget:
Last but not least, it’s worth taking into consideration how much you can afford to spend on your dog’s food since dog diets can seriously vary in price. Try to allocate as much of your budget as you can afford to feel your dog since in general, the more expensive the food that you buy, the better quality and value it will have. Cheaper dog foods are abundant, but they are often filled with low-nutrient filler ingredients, which are often heavy in carbohydrates and difficult for your dog to digest. This can lead to issues like flatulence, disgusting smelly poop, and bad breath. Consider how much you can comfortably spend on your dog’s meals on a weekly or monthly basis and use this information to find a high-quality dog food option that is within your price range.
With so many options to consider, getting your choice of dog food right is not always easy. Whether you’re getting a new dog and want to get them off to the best start with their diet or have decided that your current dog’s diet isn’t working for him, think about these factors to help you decide what’s best to feed.
