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Finding The Best Food For Your Puppy
- 08/02/2019
Dogs have always been known to be man’s best friend, which is why it's not surprising that as many as 34% of Irish households own at least one dog. Puppies grow fast and require optimal nutrition in order to build strong bones, teeth, and muscle while enjoying good overall health. While dog owners of a decade ago weren’t exactly spoiled for choice with regards to puppy food, we are now faced with a variety of options as far as diets for our canine companions are concerned. Before deciding on what food will be best for your puppy, consult with your veterinarian, who will be able to offer valuable advice with regards to all the nutritional options available, including canned and dry food, as well as raw feeding.
Canned food
Although canned puppy food is often a favourite among dogs, it's also the most expensive and does not always live up to its promises of being of superior quality. While there are undoubtedly various canned dog food brands that offer complete nutrition, many do not contain the required amounts of digestible protein. While wet dog food is generally very gentle on a puppy’s digestive system, it's important to seek out a brand that that has actual nutritional value and not just a combination of water and indigestible protein. Look out for brands that list specified meat sources, whole grains, and vegetables on their ingredients lists, and stay away from meat and vegetable by-products as far as possible. When feeding your dog, it's important to note that small and big breed dogs have different nutritional requirements, and their diets should be adjusted accordingly.
Dry food
Dry food (kibble) is widely known to be the most cost-effective of commercial dog foods and is the food of choice for many dog owners. There are many benefits to feeding your pup dry food of very good quality. Not only does the food not spoil nearly as fast as wet food does when left in the bowl, but eating it can also contribute towards your puppy’s oral health by keeping its teeth free of tartar build-up. If you want to feed your puppy dry food, make sure you opt for one of the many 5-star puppy foods on the market, which will provide it with all the nutrients required to grow into a happy and healthy dog. Read the packaging carefully before making a choice, opting for food that contains a lot of quality animal protein and unprocessed ingredients, while steering clear of anything that contains any artificial flavours, colours, and preservatives.
Raw food
A raw food diet is often linked to fresher breath, improved digestion, and a healthier coat in dogs due to it being completely free of any processed ingredients. A typical raw diet consists of raw meat (both on and off the bone), as well as organs such as liver and kidneys. Until your puppy is six months old, it is recommended to feed him three times a day. You can include a variety of protein such as turkey and chicken necks, veal ribs and tails, eggs and green tripe in the diet, while always ensuring your pup has plenty of fresh water to drink. There are a number of companies in the UK that now offer complete raw food diets that are purchased frozen, and only need to be defrosted before consumption. Before starting your pup on a raw food diet, it is best to discuss your plan with your vet, who will be able to offer important guidance.
All your puppy wants from you in return for his unwavering loyalty is heaps of love, a warm place to sleep and plenty of food and water. By making the effort to ensure your puppy only eats healthy food, you are giving it the opportunity to grow into a happy, healthy, and loving adult dog.
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