Most veterinarians and breeders agree that the best food for dogs is dry complete food. However, in order for a pet to live happily and fully develop, it is necessary to know what criteria exist when selecting dry food.
Why dry food? The answer to this question is simple, and most dog breeders know it: because dry food contains all the nutrients, vitamins and trace elements that are necessary to ensure the normal functioning of the animal's body, for its growth and development.
There are a great many types of dry dog food. In order to figure out which food to choose for your four-legged friend, you need to be prepared theoretically.
Puppy food
As a rule, a puppy acquires a new owner at two or three months of age. Conscientious breeders manage to do two things during these 8-12 weeks of a dog's life: wean it from mother's milk and teach it to a new balanced diet. In most cases, new owners are advised to feed the dog exactly the same food to which the animal was accustomed to by the breeders.
Puppy foods differ markedly in composition from foods for adult dogs. Puppy food should be more balanced, and it should contain those substances that are necessary for the rapid growth and development of the animal's body. For example, feed for large breed puppies should have a high calcium content, which is necessary for strengthening bone tissue. When choosing food for a small breed puppy, it is advisable to give preference to one that contains a small amount of fat that contributes to the development of obesity.
Food for adult and aging dogs
When choosing a suitable dry food for an adult dog, it is necessary to take into account the lifestyle of the pet. For example, if a dog lives on the street, he needs a high-calorie food, which is indispensable for active animals. The same food should be given preference to the owner of a hunting dog, as well as a pet participating in exhibitions.
For a dog that spends a lot of time in the house, lying on a rug or sofa, you should buy low-calorie foods. Feeding a sedentary dog a low-calorie food will save him from overweight problems in the future.
Aging dogs (10 years old and older) should also eat a specific type of dry food. As a rule, experts recommend dietary low-calorie foods for elderly animals, which contain additional complexes of minerals necessary to strengthen aging joints.
In addition to the listed types of food, there are also special foods that are selected in accordance with the individual needs of the dog. These include: food for spayed dogs, for animals with sensitive digestion, for pregnant dogs, for fastidious pets, for dogs with sensitive skin. It should also be noted that in recent years, many manufacturers are developing food that is optimal for dogs of a particular breed.
