There are thousands of dog food options available, and they can be divided into categories based on the size of the dog (large, medium, small) as well as the age of the dog (puppy, adult, senior). There are also various types of dog food, including main meals, snacks, fresh food, freeze-dried food, and prescription food that can help support the health of your dog. As a new dog owner, you may feel overwhelmed by all the options available, but once you understand your dog's nutritional needs, you will be able to easily choose the best food for them.
Should my dog eat dry food or wet food? Since both dry food and wet food have their own benefits, you have to choose them based on your dog’s needs. Dry food, for example, prevents tartar accumulation and reduces the chance of periodontal disease because dogs chew kibble for a long time. Dog owners also like dry dog foods because they're easy to prepare and feed.
But we have to be aware that dry dog food has more calories than wet dog food. If your dog is a senior dog or has poor chewing ability due to oral diseases, it is suitable to eat wet dog food. Also, as there is a higher moisture content in wet food, it helps urinary tract health. Therefore, it is generally recommended to feed wet food or mix dry dog foods and wet dog food together for your dog. The owner should pay more attention to the dog's condition, or take advice from the veterinarian to make a choice.
Additionally, dogs are omnivorous animals, meaning they can eat meat and carbs. The optimal ratio of food is about 40% protein, 50% vegetables, and 10% carbohydrates. Although dogs can digest 90-95% of animal protein, only 60-80% of plant protein can be digested. Therefore, please check the food label carefully when buying dog food, and make sure that your dog will not absorb too much plant protein which may cause indigestion.
Choosing dog food by breed and size
Small dog breed
Small dog breeds are defined as adult dogs weighing no more than 10 kilograms and under 40 centimeters in height. The common small dog breeds are Yorkshire Terrier, Chihuahua, Shih Tzu, and Toy Poodle. Due to the weaker jaws of small dogs, the bite force is relatively small. Therefore, dog food that is too hard or too big is not suitable for them, because the dog food will not be chewed thoroughly and will enter the digestive tract, which may burden the dog's digestive system. As small dog breeds have higher metabolic rates, there are more calories contained in dog food for small dogs. If large dog breeds eat dog food for small dog breeds, they will have excess calories and become obese.
Medium Dog Breeds
Medium-sized dogs are defined as adult dogs with a weight of 11-20 kg and a height of 41-60 cm. Common medium-sized dogs are Shiba Inu, Tang Dog, and Border Collie. As medium-sized dogs are active outdoors, they need plenty of energy.
Large Dog Breeds
Large dog breeds are defined as adult dogs with a weight of 20-40 kg and a height of 60-70 cm. Common large dogs include Alaskan Malamutes, Huskies, and Golden Retrievers. Since large dog breeds grow more slowly, their caloric needs are lower as well. And owners need to pay attention to their weight because once they are overweight, it is easy to cause joint problems. Because of this, large dogs have relatively high bone requirements, and most large dog foods contain ingredients that are helpful to bones such as glucosamine and chondroitin.
What is the difference between a puppy and senior dog food?
Puppies
Since puppies need more energy as they grow, puppy food will contain more protein and calories.
Adults
Since an adult dog's body is already well developed, they do not require much energy compared to puppies. Hence, adult dog food is all about nutritional balance.
Senior dogs
Senior dog food is easier to digest and it is lower in energy to avoid excess calories which take good care of their digestion.
Dog's Favorite: Dog Treats
Many owners reward their dogs with dog treats. What should we pay attention to when feeding?
Dogs can't have too many snacks!
Snacks are mostly used as rewards for dogs, or as nutritional supplements. Make sure you read the food labels and the nutritional analysis before buying dog treats or chews. If you're choosing snacks, go for natural ingredients like air-dried or freeze dried meat or teeth-cleaning bones/sticks, which can reduce tartar and help maintain oral health.
However, be careful not to feed your dog too much, or replace the staple food with snacks, otherwise, it will cause malnutrition or obesity.
Dog Food Recommendation
Let’s see what dog food we recommend!
Hill’s® Science Diet® Small Paws™ Puppy dry food is tailored nutrition for the developmental needs of Small & Mini puppies, so they get the best start in life & grow to their full potential.
ROYAL CANIN Medium Adult 7+ contains an adapted content of nutrients to help maintain vitality in medium-breed dogs. Also contains an exclusive complex of antioxidants to help neutralize free radicals and to help maintain the condition of vital molecules in your dog's body!
With all the benefits of high-animal meat, grain-free formula, our senior formula also includes Glucosamine and Chondroitin to support hip & joint health. And the addition of L-Carnitine helps the metabolism of fats for dogs that aren't quite as active as they used to be.
Dog Treats and Canned Dog Food Recommendations
Burns Weight Control Treats are made from chicken and oats and are low in fat and calories, dogs of all ages and breeds will love this tasty treat!
Made with freshly prepared chicken & salmon, these dog snacks are gently baked for a lovely, chewy, flexible texture. These nibbles are packed full of valuable protein and make a simply delicious, natural treat.
The perfect daily chew for your dog. These dog treats contain active ingredients (Sodium Tripolyphosphate and Zinc Sulphate) that support oral care. It captures the calcium in the dog's mouth and helps to prevent and reduce up to 80% of plaque and tartar when given daily.
Conclusion
There are many types of dog foods, and all of them contain different nutrients. Feeding the dog foods that do not suit your dog may lead to health problems such as malnutrition, indigestion, and excess calories. So please be careful when choosing dog food!