Dog Food: Factors to consider when choosing the right food for your dog
When it comes to choosing dog food, it can be quite daunting for many dog owners especially for those of you who have just become new dog owners for the first time. The most important decision you will make for your dog or new puppy is the type or brand of food to feed them. One of the key factors to remember when choosing dog food is; a well balanced nutritional food = a healthy pet. Bone structure, development, digestion, dental hygiene, weight, skin and coat are all linked to the nutritional value of the diet provided by you for your pet. One of the biggest mistakes new dog owners make is assuming that food that is good for humans must also be good for dogs. This is not true, food such as chocolate, grapes, nuts, raisins, garlic (in large amounts) and onions are all toxic for your dog and can cause stomach upset, rapid heart rates , trembling and in the most extreme cases it can be fatal.
To help you make the most informed choice, every bag of dog food on Petcara has a detailed analysis of the ingredients and many of our products have informative video recommendations. We stock the complete range of Royal Canin, Clinivet. We have Burns and Hills Science Plan pet food coming soon. All of our foods are designed to take your dogs through their life stages from young puppies to mature dogs. We also stock a complete range of hypoallergenic dog food such as James Wellbeloved and Naturo along with an extensive range of breed specific foods.
If you are considering changing your dog’s food, it is really important to switch gradually as it is easier on the dog’s digestive system. Even a 4-day transition can help avoid digestive upsets and reactions to their new food will be less severe. Experts recommend that you increase the dosage of your new food gradually over a minimum period of 5 days. Follow the details below as a guide when changing your dogs diet:
How to change your Dog’s Food
Day 1: 80% old food, 20% new food
Day 2: 60% old food, 40% new food
Day 3: 40% old food, 20% new food
Day 4: 20% old food, 80% new food
Day 5: 100% new food
If you’re not sure if your dog’s current diet is suitable, a good way to check is to examine their stool. Pick it up in your poop scoop or poo bag, check it for consistency and general appearance. A healthy dog’s excrement will be firm (not wet or runny) and without any traces of mucus or blood. It is also worth bearing in mind that if you are considering feeding your dog an economy brand that some of these foods have very little meat and contain cheaper ingredients. The cheapest ingredients are very rarely the healthiest.
