If you have a dog, you have probably encountered the problem of choosing a pet food. What to feed a small breed dog, and what to feed a large breed dog, so that it grows into a healthy pet, how to avoid obesity and what to especially pay attention to when choosing a diet for your beloved four-legged friend?
How to Feed Small Breed Dogs?
As a dog handler, you care for him and you don’t want to pick your first croquet bag and say it’s done. You wouldn’t do this to your children, so why would you just feed your best friend – your dog?
The quality of food is very important because we note that dogs live much shorter than us.
Evaluation of dog food
Do you really know how to choose a dog food? You may have selected one based on a friend’s or even a Facebook friend’s recommendation. None of them may contain any or all of the answers. Learn to choose yourself healthy dog food on legitimate scientific grounds. This test will help you make an informed decision.
One dog owner has created a helpful test to check the quality of the dog food you choose. First you get 100 points, then you deduct them if:
- It has by-products subtract 10 points
- For each unspecified animal source (‘meat’ or ‘poultry’, meat, meal or fat), subtract 10 points
- If the food contains BHA, BHT or ethoxyquin, subtract 10 points
- If the same grain ingredient is used 2 or more times in the first five ingredients (i.e. “Ground Brown Rice”, “Brewer’s Rice”, “Rice Flour” are the same grains), subtract 5 points
- Protein sources are not meat meal and in the top 3 ingredients is less than 2 meats, subtract 3 points
- contains artificial dyes, subtract 3 points
- If it contains ground or whole grain corn, subtract 3 points
- If corn is listed in the top 5 ingredients, subtract 2 extra points
- If the food contains animal fat other than fish oil, subtract 2 points
- If lamb is the only source of animal protein (unless your dog is allergic to other protein sources), subtract 2 points
- If it contains soy or soy, subtract 2 points
- If it contains wheat (unless you know your dog is not allergic to wheat) subtract 2 points
If it contains beef (unless you know your dog is not allergic to beef), subtract 1 point - If it contains salt, subtract 1 point
Extra points can be obtained if you karma
- The food is from ecological sources, add 5 points
- If the food is approved by any large breed group or nutritionist, add 5 points
- Baked without extrusion, add 5 points
- Has probiotics, add 3 points
- Contains fruit, add 3 points
- Contains vegetables (NOT corn or other grains), add 3 points
- Hormone and Antibiotic Free, add 2 points
- Barley present, add 2 points
- In the composition of linseed oil (not only seeds), add 2 points
- Contains oats or oatmeal, add 1 point
- There is sunflower oil, add 1 point
- For each specific animal protein source (other than the first; count “chicken” and “chicken meal” as only one source of protein, but “chicken” and “fish” as 2 different sources), add 1 point
- If it contains glucosamine and chondroitin, add 1 point
- If your vegetables have been pesticide tested and are pesticide free add 1 point
Count the points and see what class of karma you have chosen belongs to?
94-100 + = A
86-93 = B
78-85 = C
70-77 = D
69 = F.
The best sources of protein are of animal origin, such as beef, chicken, turkey, salmon, and other named animal sources.
Some cheap dog food brands may say their food is 18 percent protein, but they do this by adding ingredients such as corn, peas, or other plant-based protein sources. The most important thing to know is that dogs require meat, even if they are not 100% carnivores like cats. Most of the protein in a healthy dog food should come from animals and this is the most important thing to remember when deciding on a dog food.