HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT DOG FOOD
Your dog needs to eat a complete, balanced diet every day, with a careful balance of vitamins and minerals, natural ingredients, and no added aromas, colors, or flavors. This way your loyal friend stays healthy. But how do you choose the right dog food for your dog? That depends on a few factors.
HOW OLD IS YOUR DOG?
Puppies need more calories than older dogs for proper growth and development. Ideally, these calories mainly come from protein and fat. Dog food for puppies offers these substances in the right proportion. In addition, the food may contain krill and extra vitamins, for optimal growth. Chondroitin and glucosamine stimulate joint growth.
At what age can your puppy gradually switch to adult dog food? That depends on the size of the breed. Small breeds mature at 10 months, medium breeds at one year, large at 18 months, and very large at 2 years. The size of the breed depends on the height at the withers (the highest point of the back, behind the neck) and the weight of an average adult dog: small (<30 cm, <10 kg), medium (30-50 cm, 10-25 kg), large (45-60 cm, 25-45 kg) or very large (> 60 cm,> 45 kg).
The food for dogs between one and seven years old can include antioxidants and vitamins that boost the immune system, as well as the same chondroitin and glucosamine. The latter can also be found in food for dogs older than seven years. That dog food may also contain taurine, for the heart.
Regardless of your dog’s age, dog food contains a lot of animal protein from one source of protein, for good digestion and stool consistency, and is without gluten in case your dog has allergies and/or intolerances.
HOW BIG IS YOUR DOG?
The smaller your dog, the smaller the kibble should be. This not only has to do with the size of the dog’s mouth and the teeth, but also with the stomach’s ability to digest it.
DO YOU GO FOR MILK OR DRY DOG FOOD?
Very young puppies, who switch from breast milk to solid dog food, can be given a boost. An easily digestible porridge is the ideal intermediate step for puppies.
Dry food is hygienic and healthy. In addition, the food does not spoil quickly, due to its low moisture content (10%). But the biggest advantage of dry food is that it contains all the ingredients that a dog needs, in just the right proportions.
DOES YOUR DOG NEED EXTRA CARE?
Food for small or (medium) large overweight dogs contains more fiber, which gives them a feeling of fullness faster. Small or (medium) large dogs with digestive problems benefit from a gluten-free diet with added probiotics, to improve the intestinal flora. And small or (medium) large dogs with a dull coat or dry skin can be given dog food with extra salmon oil.
WHAT FLAVOR DOES YOUR DOG PREFER?
Dogs have fewer taste buds than humans, yet they still have their culinary preferences. Chicken? Salmon? Lamb? No matter what flavour your dog prefers, you'll no doubt find a dog food that your four-legged friend loves to chow down on.
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