Mary Allen
It’s not a simple topic: what is the best dog food? Every dog owner asks this question – and certainly not just once. We have summarized for you here the role played by the size, age and activity level of the dog when choosing the right dog food.
Which Dog Food Keeps You Full for a Long Time?
Does your dog’s stomach always growl and you have the impression that the food is not sufficiently filling? Finding the right dog food is not that easy. After all, on the one hand, the dog should not be saturated with “fillers”, on the other hand, the body weight should be kept constant. So which food is best?
A high proportion of meat is important. Meat comes closest to natural nutrition and fills you up. The meat should be easy to digest, but it will keep the dog full for a long time because it contains many important nutrients. You should definitely refrain from feeding a feed with a high grain content, as this mainly only serves as a “filler”. Only a small amount of grain belongs in a dog-friendly diet.
Which Dog Food is Suitable for Small Breeds?
Small dog – little food? Well, the calculation is not that easy. The amount of food depends on the dog’s energy level. Depending on how much he moves, he burns different amounts of energy. Energy requirements are significantly influenced by maintaining body temperature. Overall, small dogs lose their body temperature more quickly compared to larger dogs because the surface area of their skin is larger relative to their body weight. High energy content in the feed is therefore important. Protein is particularly recommended here.
However, the fat content of the feed should be reduced to avoid weight gain. Small dogs in particular tend to gain weight quickly. In addition, the food should be very easy to digest because the entire gastrointestinal tract is shorter than in large dog breeds. This means there is less time to digest the feed. The size of the lining pieces is also important. Small croquettes are particularly suitable, as otherwise, the feed intake is not possible.
Which Dog Food is Suitable for Seniors?
A dog is considered to be a “senior” from around 7 years of age. It then needs up to 20% less energy. It would be wrong to simply reduce the amount of food, as this would mean, for example, that insufficient minerals and vitamins could be absorbed. This could weaken the immune system and the joints could no longer be adequately supplied. An adapted feed is therefore highly recommended.
In particular, the entire musculoskeletal system must be strengthened. This includes the joints, bones, tendons and muscles. For example, the formation of new bone substances becomes increasingly difficult with age. Calcium-rich feeding is suitable here. In addition, the food should be easy to digest, since the digestive system is slower than in young dogs. Overall, a targeted feeding of supplements with vitamins and minerals can be useful.
In addition, it should be noted whether the dog can still eat dry food due to its constitution, or whether it would be better to switch to wet food.
Which Dog Food is Suitable for Soft Poo?
First of all, it should be determined whether it is soft stool or diarrhoea. In the latter case, there are usually health reasons, which should be discussed with a veterinarian if necessary.
The soft stool can basically have many causes. However, a lack of dietary fibre in the feed is often the reason for loose stools.
Which Dog Food is Suitable for Active Breeds?
Every dog needs a diet adapted to its energy requirements. Inactive dogs, it is not easy to increase the amount of food. Instead, the components of the feed should be adjusted accordingly. But when is a dog considered active? A normal family dog that goes on long walks and is kept busy is not considered an active dog. Active dogs include primarily sled, police, hunting and herding dogs. These have a significantly higher energy consumption.
The feed should help to support the physical work. Energy, proteins, vitamins and minerals promote the dog’s performance and support the entire musculoskeletal system. Here, medium-chain fatty acids are well suited for additional energy supply. In addition, they are very easy to digest. It is also advisable to support the joints, as these are subject to particular stress inactive dogs. Gelatin has a positive effect on the joints.
In general, the dog should not be exercised when it has just been fed.
Which Dog Food is Grain-Free?
Most dry foods contain a high proportion of grain. But why at all? Quite simply: A high proportion of grain in the feed also means a lower proportion of meat. The feed manufacturer can thus produce more cheaply. However, dogs do not naturally eat grain. The consequences of a grain-rich diet can be allergies, intolerance, itching, diarrhoea, weight loss or inflammation in the intestines.
Which Dog Food is Suitable for Puppies?
Puppies grow and develop particularly quickly. A puppy of a large dog breed needs almost twice as much energy as an adult dog at his age. In addition, the entire metabolism has to develop first. Therefore, a special feed makes sense.
It should have a particularly high meat content, ingredients such as proteins and fats should be of high quality. Carbohydrates, vegetables, minerals and trace elements are also important. It should be very rich in energy and vitamins and contain a lot of calcium. For example, protein content of up to 30% is definitely recommended.
Preservatives, colour additives, sugar additives, flavour enhancers, animal meal, slaughterhouse waste and chemical additives should never be found in puppy food. Furthermore, fat additions should be avoided at all costs. As a flavour carrier, they only ensure that the dog pounces on the food. In the worst case, this can lead to obesity.