Dog Food:

The Right Choice

By Gwen Schuchardt

When buying dog food, many pet owners run up against the issue of having too many options.  There’s canned versus dry, indoor versus outdoor, and various “health” or “old age” formulas.  It’s easy to get lost trying to decide which one suits your dog.  Especially when you select a food that fits the budget and the nutrition, and your dog turns their nose up at it.  However, there are several ways to get around the tough spots, and still make things work.

First, you will want to choose whether you want to buy dry or canned food for your dog.  As a general rule, it does not matter what the food’s consistency is as long as it has enough nutrition in it.  Canned food will generally stack up about even with dry food, so the best thing you can do is to look at the label.  To some extent, your dog’s diet should be similar to your own.  Lots of protein and fiber is good, and the more natural ingredients, the better.  However, you don’t want too many starchy ingredients.  Another thing to consider is your dog’s preferences.  Some dogs can’t stand gravy or moisture at all in their food, while others would rather anything but dry food.

            One of the things that you will want to look into about your dog’s food is whether or not it contains greens.  Greens may improve your dog’s fur, digestive system, and general health.  Another added benefit is that is several cases, the extra nutrition can encourage your dog not to consume its feces.  This isn’t a guaranteed result, particularly since this consumption is a natural habit.  Some pet companies also make a powder supplement that can be added to the food to prevent this habit, if you are having a difficult time finding dog food with greens.

            Dry foods often include dyes, which can lead to diarrhea in your dog.  You should be aware, however, that some canned foods will contain dyes as well.  Most of them are fine in your dogs system, in moderation.  Red dyes are the ones that cause the most trouble, so you will want to check on the dyes in dog food before just grabbing a pack off the shelf.

            An alternative to getting dog food for your dog is to get cat food instead.  Not only does it have more nutrition, but it may cost less than dog food.  Some cat foods include greens as well.  Even the hairball prevention cat foods are okay.  The same rule will apply to canned cat foods, as they are virtually the same as canned dog foods in all but flavor.  Your dog will probably be just fine with chicken and tuna, unless they are one finicky eater!
          The indoors formula versus the outdoors formula is a pretty basic comparison.  Because outdoors pets will get more nutrition than indoors pets, indoors formulas will have more nutrition than outdoors formulas.  This can also mean a higher price in some cases, regardless of whether it is cat food or dog food you are buying for your dog.

So, let’s say you get a bag of dry indoors cat food.  You bring it home, pour in the pan, and your dog refuses to eat it.  Don’t just give up on the whole thing right away.  Sometimes, adding just a little canned chunk chicken or a little chopped, cooked pork can make all the difference.  If that doesn’t do the trick, try bacon grease, or some light gravy made from beef broth.  You should be able to find something that works for your dog.