
Dog nutrition is a critical part of your dog's well being and health and the food you choose to feed your furry family members will help to determine how healthy they are during their lifetime with you.
Just like with us, food drastically impacts health. If you eat nothing but fast food for your entire life, you won't feel good nor will you be healthy and strong. The same applies to our pets! Eating junk kibble is the equivalent of eating nothing but greasy, over-processed fast food loaded with sugar, unhealthy fats and harsh chemicals and preservatives.
In order to prolong our pets lives and give them the very best in nutrition, we must determine which healthy, balanced diet is perfect for them on an individual level. Species-appropriate, wholesome and balanced nutrition can prevent illness and disease, while allowing our dogs to achieve the best physical condition.
Just like with us, food drastically impacts health. If you eat nothing but fast food for your entire life, you won't feel good nor will you be healthy and strong. The same applies to our pets! Eating junk kibble is the equivalent of eating nothing but greasy, over-processed fast food loaded with sugar, unhealthy fats and harsh chemicals and preservatives.
In order to prolong our pets lives and give them the very best in nutrition, we must determine which healthy, balanced diet is perfect for them on an individual level. Species-appropriate, wholesome and balanced nutrition can prevent illness and disease, while allowing our dogs to achieve the best physical condition.
A raw food diet for dogs is the ultimate in canine nutrition. Dogs are facultative carnivores, biologically designed to consume raw meat, raw bone and raw organ. The benefits of a raw food diet for dogs are phenomenal; Owners often see drastic improvements in physical condition, alleviation in allergy symptoms, cleaner teeth, fresher breath, less shedding, more energy, softer and shinier coat and a drastic reduction or removal of doggy odour. Those are just a handful of the benefits a raw food or BARF (Biologically Appropriate Raw Food) diet can provide.
A homemade dog food diet is your next best option, combining fresh fruits and vegetables with wholesome real meat to create balanced, nutritious meals for your dog. Unlike with kibble, these homemade recipes are whole, real foods that you could readily eat. The only downside to homemade meals is the preparation time. Unlike with raw, you have to spend some time cooking the meals. It is also important to mention that cooking food causes some nutrition loss (heat kills some vitamins, minerals and enzymes). This can be remedied by adding a whole food supplement, probiotics and digestive enzymes to the meal.
A homemade dog food diet is your next best option, combining fresh fruits and vegetables with wholesome real meat to create balanced, nutritious meals for your dog. Unlike with kibble, these homemade recipes are whole, real foods that you could readily eat. The only downside to homemade meals is the preparation time. Unlike with raw, you have to spend some time cooking the meals. It is also important to mention that cooking food causes some nutrition loss (heat kills some vitamins, minerals and enzymes). This can be remedied by adding a whole food supplement, probiotics and digestive enzymes to the meal.
Dehydrated dog food and freeze dried dog food rank third in my diet and nutrition selection rankings. This food is not cooked, the nutrition is preserved without damaging fragile nutrients. With dehydrated dog food you will need to add water. With freeze dried dog food, it is as easy as filling their bowl! These are excellent options for owners who do not want to feed raw food, but don't have the time for homemade diet preparation. This food is also an excellent option for raw feeders that need safely stored, convenient options for traveling, camping and visiting friends and family while away from home.
The last option for your pet is a high-quality, whole food kibble. The first recommendation would be a grain-free kibble which would be species appropriate for dogs. The second recommendation would be a kibble with whole grains (wheat free, corn free, soy free). When selecting a wholesome kibble, you should make sure the kibble is wheat free, corn free, contains no by-products, contains no fillers, contains only food you would eat (boneless salmon, beef, carrots, spinach, etc) and is made without harsh chemicals and preservatives.
The last option for your pet is a high-quality, whole food kibble. The first recommendation would be a grain-free kibble which would be species appropriate for dogs. The second recommendation would be a kibble with whole grains (wheat free, corn free, soy free). When selecting a wholesome kibble, you should make sure the kibble is wheat free, corn free, contains no by-products, contains no fillers, contains only food you would eat (boneless salmon, beef, carrots, spinach, etc) and is made without harsh chemicals and preservatives.
In summary, the best dog food for your pet is ranked as follows:
My top five most recommended and trusted kibble brands are as follows:
- Raw Food Diet for Dogs
- Homemade Dog Food
- Dehydrated Dog Food or Freeze-dried Dog Food
- High quality, whole food grain-free Kibble
- High quality, whole food Kibble
My top five most recommended and trusted kibble brands are as follows:
- Orijen (Champion Petfoods)
- Acana (Champion Petfoods)
- Go! (Petcurean)
- Now! (Petcurean)
- Nature's Variety Instinct
K9 Instinct can help you determine the best diet for your furry family members. If you are interested in having a diet and nutrition consultation, e-mail me for more information or visit the Diet and Nutrition section of this website! Together we can change your dog's life with proper nutrition! Online consultations are available for non-local clients!
If you want to learn how to feed a raw food diet successfully, you can also purchase my eBook: A Guide to Raw Feeding.
If you are in need of some homemade dog food recipes, click here for my recipe eBook containing nutritionally balanced meals!
Angel
K9 Instinct
www.k9instinct.com
If you want to learn how to feed a raw food diet successfully, you can also purchase my eBook: A Guide to Raw Feeding.
If you are in need of some homemade dog food recipes, click here for my recipe eBook containing nutritionally balanced meals!
Angel
K9 Instinct
www.k9instinct.com