Getting Started On The Right Paw: Dog Food

By: Dawn Keadic

Walking down the dog food isle of your favorite pet supply store could be intimidating. You will see row upon row of different brands and types of food. Pet food is now a multi billion dollar industry and pet food manufactures are doing their best to capture your attention. How do you eliminate the hype and find the best food for your dog?

There are several factors to consider when choosing the right food for your dog. Different dogs have different nutritional needs at different stages in their lives. Some things to consider when selecting the food you'll give your dog follow.

Age: Puppies have different nutritional requirements than adult dogs just as human children have different needs than adult people. Senior dogs also have different requirements than younger adult dogs. Make sure that you select a food that is appropriate for your dog's stage in life.

Health: Does your dog have a specific medical condition? If so, the food you choose may need to be partially dictated by that condition. Diabetic dogs need low-glucose foods and dogs with specific allergies (yes dogs can be allergic to all sorts of things, just like people) may require certain foods as well. Your veterinarian can help you choose foods that are appropriate for a dog with a specific medical condition.

Size or Body Type: some dogs are overweight. Some dogs are underweight. Some have a natural tendency to get lots of exercise while others tend to prefer to lie around a lot. There are, of course, small, medium, and large dogs as well as the ultra-tiny "toy" dogs. All of these different types of dogs will have different requirements for the type of food they need as well as how much of it.

Budget: Dog food can be expensive, there is no doubt about it. And where dog food is concerned, the rule really is "you get what you pay for." Low cost generics and store brands will lighten the burden on your wallet, but may not be the healthiest choice for your dog as they are made with cheap ingredients and lots of fillers. You should buy the best dog food you can on your budget to help ensure your dog's nutrition.

Once you take these factors into consideration, you should be able to narrow down your search for the ideal food for your best friend.

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