Best Dog Food

Best Commercial Dog Food and All Natural Dog Food

Let me guide you in the process of finding the best dog food. I know for sure what the best food is because I am a vet...or is this really tru?

No, sorry, let me burst that bubble and tell you the truth - Nobody knows! I am serious, I truly believe the whole story about food and nutrition is unknown. Then, what can you do?

I think you have to take as many known facts and different perspectives into consideration. Then, blend it with your own belief. Mix those two and you decide what the best dog food would be.

If you find this difficult, the I have made this link to help you: 10 Best Dog Food Tips. Here I have made a list of what I consider the most important to take into consideration deciding what dog food would be the best.

Photo courtesy of Mike Baird

General Factors in Finding Best Dog Food

Age:

Finding the best food according to age is important. Especially important in big and fast growing dogs. Feeding too much can have fatal impact on the joints. One patient of mine had OD in the elbow. No other in the litter had any problem at all. But he was fed unlimited and the growth rate was much to fast - result OD in the elbow. Right balance between energy and calcium is very important.

An old dog can have a health problem. Gradually they become more stiff in the joints. The sense of smell becomes lesser and perhaps some problems with the kidneys or liver appears. This put special needs on the nutrition and feeding habits

Dog Seize:

Big or small dogs. No, they don't have the same needs. Energy intake for example small dog needs 100kcal/kg a day whether a bigger dog needs 50kcal/kg a day. Smaller dogs have often more problem with plaque on the teeth. Bigger dogs often more joint problems. Important for bigger dogs not to eat to fast and big portions as this might be involved in the gastric torsion complex - so a lot of different factors.

In my practice often it seem that small dogs easier gets picky. They don't want the dried food diet - they only like normal food. Well don't they know what's best for them? Or is there some other factor which might explain this? - More on this later.

Dog breed:

Labrador has certain problems. German shepherds other problems. Rottweilers has special needs and so on. Now, most of commercial dog foods has taken this to their heart. They have made exclusive dog food for certain breeds.

Dog Health Problem:

If this is the case or you are in any doubt - talk to your vet. Dog health problem is challenging and a lot can be done in prevention and treatment during nutrition. Diseases such as:

• Heart diseases
• Digestive problems
• Liver problems
• Diabetes
• Canine Skin Problem
• Pancreas problems
• Age related Joint problems
• Food Allergies
• Obesity(if that's a disease)

Can be dealt with giving the best dog food in each case.

Get more infomation on dog diseases and dog health look here Dog Health Handbook or here Foods for Disease and Health Rated from 1-10 Best Dog Food

All Natural Dog Food - What Are Natural?

The word natural is often used in commercials as natural itself is a sign of quality. That is not always the case! By the way what is natural? Are dog breeds natural? I don't really think so. Not many breeds would have walked on earth without humans involved. We do indeed have developed a lot of canine breeds. Not every time they are natural in the sense they are physiological perfect. Certain breeds can have defects - but in according to the breed is regarded as normal.

My point is. Think and analyse when you read or hear the word natural Is it used for real or merely to generate a feeling that makes you buy it.

All natural dog food is perfect for some dogs. All natural dog food do not need to be complicated in any way nor very time consuming to prepare.

On the other side there can be times when our modified dogs need some modified food. The best dog food is not the best for all dogs. If I should express myself very black or white.

I am certainly not against natural food or against commercial dog food.

I am only against only the one or the other.

Only to recommend prepared food or only home made natural or organic dog food - it's not me. In some cases the owner/dog relationship is better off with the first or sometimes the latter.

Commercial Food

Lot to choose between and what kind is the best dog food

• Dry dog food diet
• Canned dog food diet
• Dehydrated dog food diet
• Raw dog food diet
• Frozen dog food diet

Most of my clients by this type of dog food. Most of them dry dog food. Why? It is easy and very practical and often good value for your money. Dry dog food is easy to store, easy to use again if not eaten completely. In many ways this dried food can be the best dog food for some. But important to buy good quality.

Dry dog food is industrial made. No need to hide that, but pet food manufacturing has changed and in some aspects, improved a lot.

It can be interesting to know about how different periods have thought about best dog food. The evolution (or history) of dog food can be something you haven't thought about.

Good quality means good quality ingredient which is so important. Don't buy any cheep dog food where the meat is from the cleaning of the floor. Connecting tissue is not easy for your dog to digest. Try to buy a cheep dog food and look on the amount of stool coming out. Compare it with a more expensive. Difference? Yes! The cheeper results in bigger piles of stool.

It Can Be very Expensive To Buy Cheap

This is valid both in dry and canned dog food diets. More water, less nutrients in the cheaper ones - very common.

Try to calculate the cost Pr day. Often it doesn't cost that much more Pr meal buying a more expensive dog food compared with the cheaper ones. Try and you will be surprised!

How Do You Feel About It All?

The biggest question is if the nutrition in commercial dog food really is the best. It is very processed food, probably the biggest downside of them all. Pre pared food is processed food. This is not natural and the question is how much of the nutrient's or proteins is damaged or changed. I certainly don't know.

In Chinese medicine the food is considered to have an energy - Chi This is not measurable. It is more a believe, but very important as well. How do you feel, when feeding your friend! Feeling better making your own home made pet diet - do that! Do you like buying the best dried dog diet and give this - perfect do that.

Don't forget this. Your dog should not become overweight, not too much tar on the teeth, happy and healthy and eat his food with good appetite.

Then, you do give the best dog food for your dog.