Making the right dog food choices
Although
dry dog food is convenient to store, pet nutritionists such as
DogAware.com's Mary Straus say that canned food can be better than dry
food, mostly because it contains fewer preservatives (because the
canning process itself acts as a preservative). Canned dog food
generally contains less grain and more moisture, which helps keep a dog
hydrated and benefits the urinary tract.
Like
canned foods, the best dry dog foods have high-quality proteins (named
meat and meat meals), along with high-quality carbohydrates, such as
potatoes and whole grains. Lower-quality products instead may contain
corn, wheat and soy, along with glutens and byproducts. Experts don't
consider such ingredients to be highly desirable, and brands containing
them may not be very palatable to dogs. Pound for pound, the well-known
brands sold in supermarkets and major pet-food chains are obviously a
lot cheaper. However, many pet-nutrition experts say that the initial
cost difference doesn't tell the whole story. They note that the
higher-quality ingredients in premium food mean your dog will actually
eat less compared to inexpensive dog food. An added benefit is that
because more of the food is absorbed as nutrients, your dog will pass
less solid waste.
Experts
also point out that suggested serving sizes are just that --
suggestions. Feeding needs vary greatly depending on your dog's breed
and activity level, and serving guidelines are merely a good jumping-off
point. A dog that spends all day running around in the yard will
obviously need more food than a sedentary dog. Observation will tell you
if your dog needs more or less food.
Dog food for life stages
Choosing
the proper food has become even more challenging since manufacturers
started labeling their foods as being suited for certain life stages,
such as puppy, large adult or senior, or breeds. According to the
Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO), the body that
governs and regulates pet-food labeling, there are only two true
designations: a formula for puppies and one for adult dogs. Puppy
formulas generally have more calories and protein. Products labeled
"senior" or "large breed" mean the food meets requirements for regular
adult food. There's nothing regulating those additional terms when
they're used on dog food packaging.
Change
dog foods periodically, and alternate between dry dog food and canned
food. Many experts say you should change brands every few months as
well, which will ensure that any nutrient deficiencies in a particular
food won't have long-term effects. Find three or four foods your dog
likes and alternate among them. High-meat-content canned foods are best
used as a supplement to a high-quality dry food.
Look
for certification by the Association of American Feed Control Officials
(AAFCO). According to the Food and Drug Administration's Center for
Veterinary Medicine website, "An AAFCO nutritional adequacy statement is
one of the most important aspects of a dog or cat food label. A
'complete and balanced' pet food must be substantiated for nutritional
adequacy by one of two means. The first method is for the pet food to
contain ingredients formulated to provide levels of nutrients that meet
an established profile. The alternative means of substantiating
nutritional adequacy is for the product to be tested following the AAFCO
Feeding Trial Protocols."
Choose
a food that has whole meat or whole meat meal (lamb meal, chicken meal,
etc.) as its top ingredients. Grain sources should also be whole
grains, as opposed to glutens or other processed products. Rice and
barley is better than corn or wheat. Avoid meat byproducts, particularly
ones in which the meat is not named, and meat-and-bone meals.
Avoid
BHT, BHA and ethoxyquin as preservatives. A better choice would be
foods preserved with tocopherols (vitamin E) or vitamin C (ascorbate).
Observe
your dog carefully when trying a new food. Some dogs need more protein
and some need less, just as some dogs need to eat more than others,
depending on activity level. Look for changes in coat and skin, along
with stool consistency.
Pet-food
safety is a concern. Past recalls of dog foods -- because of wheat and
rice glutens contaminated with melamine -- have spotlighted some major
issues regarding pet foods and their ingredients. Recent pet-food
recalls have included ones for salmonella that have also made pet owners
who had come in contact with the food fall ill. Although the majority
of foods are deemed safe, this is clearly an ongoing issue.
