Proper nutrition is the most important factor in the health and longevity of dogs, and we dog owners are looking for the best food for our dogs. According to veterinarians, dry dog food is the best and healthiest type of food for dogs, and most dog owners use this diet.
Don’t worry, we know this way, and in this article, we will tell you all the tips about the best dry dog food, its benefits, and how much to consume.
Commercial dog food
Commercial dog foods come in two general categories: dry food and canned food ( canned dog food ). Both foods have their own advantages and disadvantages, But dry dog food is recommended because of its many benefits.
In the article What is dog food, we talked in detail and comprehensively about proper nutrition and diet for dogs and important nutritional tips, which we suggest you read that article as well.
But now we want to talk to you specifically about the best dry dog food and a product selection guide.
Benefits of dry food
- Dry food is easy to store due to its low moisture content, and you can store it for a long time without needing a refrigerator.
- Dry food has a much lower price (than canned food) and in the long run, it reduces the cost of keeping a dog.
- The dry food formulation is very complete and provides all the dog’s nutritional needs for protein, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals.
- In fact, a dog that eats dry food rarely ( unless recommended by a veterinarian ) needs other food supplements.
- You can easily take dry food with you on your trip and feed it to your dog.
- Dry food can remain in the food container for hours and not spoil ( for times when you are not at home ).
What food items must be present in dry food?
In order to be able to buy the best and highest quality dry food for your dog, you need to know what the ingredients of dry food are.
Unlike cats, dogs are not obligate carnivores, and although meat makes up a large part of their diet, they also need other sources of food such as grains, vegetables, and fruits.
The best quality dry dog food should contain the following ingredients:
- Protein: protein from all types of meat such as chicken, beef, lamb, fish, etc., as well as vegetable protein
- Fat: useful fats such as omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids
- Fiber: Fiber found in vegetables and grains
- Minerals: such as calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, and iron
- Vitamins: such as vitamins A, C, D, and B
Can homemade dog food replace commercial food?
According to the petmd site, both types of dry food and blood food can have their own advantages and disadvantages for dogs.
As much as dog food can be rich in vitamins and proteins, if it is not balanced, it may lead to weight gain in dogs. On the other hand, if you are not careful when buying foreign dry dog food and give your dog low-quality food, it is natural that he will suffer from protein and vitamin deficiency.
If the homemade dog food is not prepared according to the veterinarian’s recipe, it cannot meet the dog’s nutritional needs and in the long run, it will cause many health problems.
How much dry food does a dog need per day?
Frankly, we tell you that there is no precise answer to this question; Because more important than the volume and weight of the food, it is the quality and nutrients of the product that should be paid attention to.
In this way, 200 grams of a high-quality dry food may be enough for a dog and provide the nutrients needed by its body well; But 400 grams of a low-quality and cheap dog food is not “enough” at all, it will only fill your dog’s stomach and cause nutritional and health problems in the long run.
Another point is that you should not give the daily amount of food to the dog all at once and divide it into two meals (morning and evening).
Of course, this depends on the breed of the dog, and some small and cuddly dogs like Pomeranians and Shih Tzu terriers even need three meals a day, while some dogs like Husky can get along with one meal a day without any problems.
In general, it is better to give adult dogs daily food in 2 meals.
The following table can ease your mind to some extent about the daily volume. Of course, we should also mention that these quantities can be different for different brands and types of dry food, as well as the conditions of activity, sterility, and pregnancy of dogs, and you still need to consult a veterinarian for the amount of food for your dog.
How to give dry food to a dog?
To determine the amount of food consumed by your dog, you should consider three important factors: weight, mobility, and age. In addition, if your dog has a special disease or allergies, you should consult a veterinarian.
How to get the dog used to dry food?
You should not start giving dry food to your dog. You should provide these foods in small amounts. Especially next to the foods he likes so that he gets used to the presence of new food in his meal.
Always divide the dish into four parts. Start by filling a quarter of this container and gradually increase this volume every few days until your dog gets used to it.
Classification of dry food products
In general, dry food of different brands are offered in three different categories:
- Dry food for puppies
- Dry food for small breed adult dogs
- Dry food for large breed adult dogs
Of course, a brand may have much more variety of products; Like Royal Canin dog food products, which has special products for each breed of dog, as well as sick dog food and dietary-therapeutic food, etc.
Also, some brands may have a separate category for active and energetic dogs. But as we said, when buying the best dry food for your dog, pay attention to the above 3 things and, for example, definitely buy dry puppy food for your puppy.
What points should we pay attention to when buying dry food?
Currently, there is a wide variety of foreign dry dog food in the market, and perhaps the most noticeable difference is their price. It is true that the high price of food does not necessarily mean high quality, but on the other hand, a very cheap food cannot be of good quality.
Therefore, we recommend that you never choose a food just because of its low and cheap price.
Because if, God forbid, cheap and low-quality dry dog food harms your dog’s health, you will have to spend several times more to treat it and restore its health. So, for your dog’s health and longevity, be sure to buy high-quality foods from reputable brands.
The ingredients of dry dog food are written on the back of the food packaging. It is better to read these ingredients before buying and make sure that you are buying high-quality food for your dog. Authentic products are obliged to write the ingredients of dry dog food in the order of highest to lowest; It means that the first food ingredient that is drunk is more present in that food than the others and so on.
Also, the percentage of things like protein, fiber, fat, and some vitamins and minerals (ash) is also included on the package and you should pay attention to it. The appropriate percentage of these items largely depends on the age, breed, activity level, and health status of your dog, and it is better to consult a veterinarian about this.
But in general, most dog foods contain between 20-30% protein, which is more in dry puppy food than in adult dogs.
The fat content of dog food is on average between 9-14%. Of course, if your dog is prone to obesity, the percentage of fat in his food should not be more than 10%.
Introducing the best dry food products for dogs
In the following, we will introduce you to the list of the best dry dog food available in the market so that you can easily choose the right food for your dog.
Know the best foreign dry dog food brands!
If you are interested in preparing foreign dry dog food, the following products are suitable for your taste.
1. Royal Canin dry food for German Shepherds and large breed dogs
Ingredients: Poultry protein, corn, animal fats, wheat, rice, minerals, fish oil, and vitamins.
Analysis of product ingredients
| Protein | fiber | fat |
|---|---|---|
| 26% | 1.2% | 17% |
- This food is specially prepared for large breed adult dogs weighing between 26-44 kg.
- The high protein and balanced fiber of this food help to improve the dog’s digestion.
- The composition of Royal Canin dry dog food helps to strengthen the bones and joints of large dogs.
- Omega 3 fatty acids make the dog’s skin and hair healthy and strong.
2. Royal Canin small breed dry food
Product: France
Ingredients: rice, chicken meat, corn, animal fat, animal protein, minerals, soybean oil, and vitamins
| Protein | fiber | fat |
|---|---|---|
| 24% | 1.7% | 18% |
- Small breed dry food is prepared for doll and miniature dogs weighing less than 4 kg.
- The formulation of this food is designed for small dogs and is completely balanced in terms of nutrients.
- The ingredients of this food help the health and vitality of the dog’s skin and hair.
3. Happy dog dry food for small breeds
Product: Germany
Ingredients: corn, poultry protein, and fat, rice flour, potato protein, salmon meat, lamb protein, sunflower oil, vitamins, and minerals.
Analysis of compounds
| Protein | fat | fiber | calcium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 26% | 14% | 3% | 1.5% |
- This food is specially prepared for small breed dogs weighing less than 10 kg.
- It contains high protein of 26%, which completely supplies the energy of these small and energetic dogs.
- It has small seeds that are suitable for the size of the jaws of stuffed dogs.
To buy and see the price of dry dog food, click on the link below.
4. Simba dry dog food with chicken flavor
Simba dry dog food ingredients: dry chicken (28%), corn, corn flour, rice (8%), animal fats, starch, vegetable oil, micro fish oil, vitamins, and minerals.
- Simba dog food with a very delicious and tasty chicken flavor
- This food can be used as food for German Shepherds or other mature and energetic breeds
- High in fiber to strengthen the dog’s digestive system
5. Josera dry dog food with lamb flavor
Product: Germany
Ingredients: lamb protein, rice, beet fiber, poultry fat, minerals
Product analysis
| Protein | fat | fiber | calcium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 21% | 11% | 2.7% | 2% |
- The taste of lamb in this food is considered a good variety in the dog’s diet.
- Very fragrant and tasty
- The fatty acids in Josera dry dog food help your dog’s hair to be healthy and shiny.
6. bosch dry food for active dogs
Product: Germany
Ingredients : chicken meat, corn, animal fat, beets, fish meat, fish oil and minerals
| Protein | fiber | calcium | fat |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25% | 16% | 2.5% | 1.25% |
- Bush dog food is prepared for active and active adult dogs that need more energy in the day.
- This food is suitable for all breeds of dogs and has very good quality.
- Bush dry food ingredients help to strengthen the joints and immune system of dogs.
7. Adi dry food for large breed dogs
Ingredients: Chicken, chicken liver, vegetables, egg powder, fish powder and corn. Wheat, soy and fish oil
Product analysis
| Protein | fat | fiber |
|---|---|---|
| 30% | 16% | 2% |
- Adi Dog dry food is suitable for adult dogs of large breeds and guards.
- The protein of chicken and meat in this food provides the energy needed by these active dogs.
Click on the link below to buy and see the price of dry dog food on the DigiKala website.
How to prepare dry dog food
Of course, we suggest that you prepare dry food commercially, and if you want to make more nutritious food for your dog, choose blood food according to the veterinarian’s plan. But maybe you want to make a safe homemade dry food for your dog that does not have any preservatives.
For this, you need to know how to balance and the amount of ingredients in dog food. What percentage of protein and fat or other nutrients is enough for this food. On the other hand, you should know that this type of dry food cannot be kept in the open air for a long time and you have to put it in the refrigerator or freeze it all the time.
Frequently asked questions about dry foods
Here are some common questions about this topic:
What is dry dog food made of?
From a mixture of meat with minerals, fats, oils, carbohydrates, fiber, and in some cases various probiotics.
Why does the dog not eat dry food?
The reason why the dog does not eat dry food can be due to its instinct, and in addition, it may not like the smell of the food or its ingredients, or it may cause the dog to be allergic to dry food. At first, use several different brands.
How much dry food should I give my dog?
Be sure to look at the dry food consumption table on the back of the package and feed your dog based on the weight and description.
Is dry food enough for dogs?
If you choose a suitable type, yes, but it is better to use a variety of canned food, blood food, and vitamins and supplements.
What is your dog’s favorite food?
Each of us can have different criteria for feeding a dog. One may choose only dry food, and one may choose blood food, and one may choose between the two. In addition, the preparation of the best foreign dry dog food depends on the availability and economic conditions.