Dog food buying guide

Dog food is a major, but nonetheless essential, expenditure for dog owners. Finding the right food for your dog requires understanding food labels but also giving the right things at the right time and in the right amount. For example, with daily dry dog food rations, you need to watch out for the added calorie intake from other foods given over 24 hours. Treats given out and spoonfuls of wet dog food given on top are likely to promote weight gain if everything is not managed correctly. We'll show you a range of dog food for feeding, training or playing.

Choosing dog food depends on your dog's preferences and human factors, such as organisation, practicality and budget. For example, dry dog food can be given and left out without the risk of going off, unlike wet dog food. In the same way, dry dog food can be suitable for some automatic feeders. Beyond these considerations, it is vital to give food that is adapted to your dog's needs, health and habits. As an example: for a sterilised dog, choose light dry dog food or specialised dry food for sterilised dogs. Also, pay attention to the fat content contained in dog treats (even if it means opting for dried meat).

Dry dog food is the most popular and practical solution for feeding your dog. This completely dry dog food covers all your dog's nutritional needs, but be careful as the quality can vary depending on the ingredients.

There are 3 main types of dry dog food.

• Ultra-premium grain-free dry dog food (specialist websites).

• Premium dry dog food with a higher animal protein content (pet shops).

• Standard dry dog food, often low in animal protein with unclear labels (supermarkets).

At present, grain-free dry dog food with a high percentage of protein is recommended.

Good dry dog food is one that covers your dog's needs, that they enjoy eating and maintains a healthy body weight.

This type of food is a little treat loved by our four-legged friends.

Wet dog food is available in tins or aluminium cans. It consists of meat and animal by-products, often cooked with vegetables. It is important to look at the ingredients carefully as dog food is often found with a high percentage of water and little meat!

It is advised to consume wet dog food within 24 hours of opening to avoid oxidisation and the development of germs (keep refrigerated).

It can't be the dog's only food because of the ingredients included. However, wet dog food is recommended for dogs who cannot chew, are in post-surgery, or who have eating disorders to restore their appetite. Older dogs can sometimes be fed exclusively on wet food, because at the end of their life it is important that the dog enjoys eating and is able to feed themselves.

Alongside ready-to-use wet and dry food, dog owners can choose the household food option. Each day, a dog bowl can be made up of an assortment of food in order to cover all the dog's nutritional needs depending on their age and physical activity, and in accordance with vetinary advice.

What to put in your dog's food?

• Meat or fish.

• Pasta or rice for dogs.

• Green vegetables (courgettes/green beans).

• Olive oil for omega fatty acids.

• Brewer's yeast for a beautiful fur coat. 

• Vitamin supplements to prevent deficiencies.

Reminder: dogs are non-strict carnivores, i.e. their digestive system is made to digest animal flesh but they are capable of digesting many other foods.

It is advisable to cook rice or pasta for a long time to limit digestive trouble. Generally, this type of food should not be the biggest part of a dog's ration.

Dog treats help to foster learning and the creation of a good relationship between human and dog. Dog treats are also very useful for establishing behaviours and allow you to keep your dog busy with training and mental exercises.

There are a number of dog treats on the market.

• Grain-based dog treats and meat and animal by-product dog treats.

• Dried meat dog treats.

• Dried fish dog treats.

These dog treats come in small bags or plastic boxes with different packaging.

For a change, you can also cut out small cubes of gruyère cheese from time to time!

However, be careful with the amount of treats given each day: dogs tend to quickly gain weight on a normal diet and recommendations on the packets can be very generous.

Dog chews are extremely popular with our four-legged friends and for good reason, they have several benefits. Dog chews allow dogs to occupy themselves, satisfy their need for chewing, and limit tartar formation.

Dog chews are offered in different materials or can be obtained through recipes. Ingredients will affect the chewing time, teeth (prevention of tartar or gum relief), but also weight.

What kind of dog chews are available?

• Buffalo skin chews.

• Dried meat chews.

• Animal by-product and grain-based chews (small sticks or Dentastix).

• Meat-free chews.

• Marrow bones (real bones).

• Animal bones for trimming.

To find out what your dog likes, try one or two!

Why give your dog a food supplement? At times, it may be useful to offer vitamin supplements to your dog, whether it is at a time of growth, during a small course of treatment or to go alongside medical treatment.

What kind of food supplements can you give to your dog?

• Vitamin C and glucosamine for joints.

• Fish oil to increase appetite and fur growth.

• Brewer's yeast flakes for a healthy, shiny fur coat.

• A digestive solution (probiotics or plants such as thyme, flat elm or garlic).

A dog food supplement will be welcome and necessary as part of a regular diet to make sure they get all the vitamins and minerals needed for their body to function properly.

Always check that the product conforms to British standards and seek advice from your vet before purchase.

A good diet is essential to your pooch's good health. This includes their daily food ration and extras such as treats, dog chews or food supplements. Keep well informed about your dog's nutritional needs based on their lifestyle and health status in order to keep them healthy. Do all of this, of course, using the best quality possible!