Best Healthy Dog Food Options
Dog owners will testify how much they enjoy giving their dog bits of food morsels from the table. But they are misguided, because unfortunately, human food is often toxic for our best friend’s health.
Related Topics (Sponsored Ads):
We know it can be hard to say no, especially when your canine buddy begs you without end. It isn’t surprising that our natural inclination is to give in, because we love them. But if you want to keep your dog healthy, it’s very important to understand that their biology is different from ours.
Dog Food Nutrition Facts
All breeds of dogs, big and small, are carnivores. The dogs that we are familiar with today may not look anything close to the wolf or the fox, but their genetics and digestive systems are very similar to their wild cousins.
While it may be safe to give some dogs an occasional treat of plain jane beef, chicken or veggies as a reward for good behavior, the truth is that over the years, many have developed allergies and intolerances to a large number of human foods. This is because they are highly processed and/or full of harmful substances.
Consequences Of A Bad Diet
Due to improper feeding, lack of sufficient exercise, a limited budget and lack of knowledge, dogs often become diabetic, overweight, or even obese. Unfortunately, dogs also tend to suffer from genetically inherited diseases, especially amongst the pure breeds. But the good news is, some of these illnesses, such as skin, stomach or eye conditions, can be managed and treated with special, veterinary approved prescription diets.
You can find three types of healthy dog foods in your local pet store or veterinary clinic that vary in size and price range: Wet food, dry food and a hybrid called semi-moist. In general, the wet and dry foods are the most popular. Discussed below are some of the top 5 star rated healthy dog food options for our four- legged friends, according to the professionals in the field.
How To Recognize Unhealthy Dog Food
To recognize unhealthy dog food, start by closely examining the ingredient list. Quality dog food should contain specific, named meat sources like chicken, beef, or lamb as the primary ingredients, not vague terms like “meat by-products” or “animal digest,” which often signify lower-quality protein and can be difficult for your dog to digest.
Avoid foods with artificial additives, such as chemical preservatives like BHA, BHT, or ethoxyquin, as these can potentially cause long-term health problems. Artificial colors and flavors are unnecessary and may indicate poor quality, as manufacturers use them to make the food more appealing without offering any nutritional benefit. Watch for high levels of fillers such as corn, soy, or wheat, which are often used to bulk up the food cheaply, but provide minimal nutrition and may contribute to food allergies or digestive issues.
Additionally, an excess of sugar, salt, or fat in dog food can lead to obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. It’s best to choose foods with whole, recognizable ingredients like lean meats, vegetables, and whole grains that offer balanced nutrition and promote long-term health for your dog.
Instinct Original Grain-Free Dry
If you’re looking for a grain-free, dry dog food product that contains a protein punch, Instinct Original is an excellent choice. Beef is the first ingredient, followed by chicken meal, white fish meal, peas and chicken fat. A very healthy recipe for your pooch.
Most of the animal protein in this recipe comes from the beef and chicken meal. It contains 40% protein, 23% fat and approximately 29% carbs… which provides a fat-to-protein ratio of about 57%.
Instinct is also highly recommended for dogs who suffer from allergies, flatulence issues, or those who tend to be fussy eaters.
Canidae Grain-Free Pure Dry Dog Food
If your dog has allergies or stomach sensitivities to beef and chicken, this rich, grain-free, pure fish recipe from Canidae is the perfect choice. This great product contains salmon, salmon meal, menhaden fish meal, sweet potatoes and peas, giving it a sweet and delicious flavor. Better yet, it’s also free of corn, wheat and soy.
Most of the protein in this top recommended product is from the fresh salmon, as well as salmon and menhaden fish meals. It contains 36% protein, 20% fat and around 36% carbs… which provides your dog with a fat-to-protein ratio of about 56%.
In addition to the hypo allergenic benefit of this dry food option, salmon and menhaden fish are highly nutritious and rich sources of essential Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids, which help to maintain healthy skin and a beautiful coat.
Merrick Classic Canned Dog Food
If your dog has a craving for wet canned food, this fantastic formula from Merrick will not disappoint your best friend. It contains bone-less beef, beef broth, chicken broth, beef liver and peas. The beef chunks are mixed into a delicious gravy. This recipe contains 47% protein, 16% fat and about 29% carbs, which provides a fat-to-protein ratio of about 33%.
Plus, Merrick Classic is suitable for all life stages, is low carb in comparison to dry dog foods, and is also grain-free. In other words, Merrick has everything dogs need and love.
Weruva Wet Dog Food
Whatever your dog’s favorite activities may be, wherever you go with him, Weruva is guaranteed to make your dog happy if he/she has a taste for chicken. This formula also contains eggs, water, pumpkin, sweet potato and traces of ham as well, which makes it quite attractive if you want to try feeding your dog something a little different.
Weruva contains 57% protein, 10% fat and 25% carbs, which yields a fat-to-protein ratio of only about 18%.
Despite Weruva having water as its third ingredient, vets and pet parents still highly recommend this recipe, especially for dogs who tend to be picky or have sensitive stomachs. Weruva wet also does wonders for dogs who are allergic to ingredients found in cheaper and more common dog food.
Conclusion
Dogs are our best friends, and they love us unconditionally. They deserve to be loved in return. A key way to do that is by feeding them the healthiest food available on the market.
