As a dog owner, the best thing you can do for your pet is to prepare healthy food. Especially since dog food is different at different ages. Conditions such as pregnancy, breastfeeding, sterilization, etc. directly affect the choice of dog food. If you, as a new dog owner, are a little confused by seeing the names of different brands and hearing the recommendations of this and that, we must tell you to stay with Pet Press to know which food is suitable for your dog and which is not.
Don’t worry, we know this way! In this Pet Press article, we talked about topics such as what are the main characteristics of dog food, choosing homemade food or commercial food, and introducing useful foods for dogs of different ages.
What is the best dog food and what are its characteristics?
Before taking any steps to prepare dog food, you should know that dogs need a wide range of nutrients for a healthy life. Now, they either absorb these substances through homemade food or from commercial food. Of course, the dog’s need for these substances depends on the dog’s age, breed, and size.
In general, the best dog food should include the following:
- Protein
- fat
- fiber
- Ash/minerals such as calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, potassium, iron, copper, etc.
- Types of vitamins (Vitamin A, B, C, D and E)
The dog’s diet at the same time, which should contain protein, vitamins, fat, and fiber; It should change according to the age of your dog. You cannot give the food of an adult dog to a puppy. Veterinarians of Pet Press to know what foods to give your dog at what age; He prepared a road map that you can see in the picture above.
Which one is better for dogs? Homemade or commercial food?
We saw that dogs have different nutritional needs according to their breed and size and they need special food. Now we may have this question: can we make homemade food for our dog? Can homemade food meet all the needs of our dog?
Otherwise, the food you give your dog may have bad effects on his health in the long run. Because the homemade food that you prepare for the dog without calculating the food ratio is not balanced and may not meet all the nutritional needs of the dog and may not provide enough energy, protein, or other nutrients to the dog or too much.
Homemade food for dogs is fresher and tastier than dry food, and the price is much, much lower, and if it is balanced by a veterinarian, it meets all the needs of the dog.
Veterinarians specializing in Pet Press can help you have a special food plan for your dog that is written exactly based on the physical characteristics and needs of his body and ensures his future health.
The effect of dog breed and size on diet
Choosing the right food for a dog depends on the dog’s breed, size, and activity level. However, each dog has its own characteristics and its exact diet should be determined in consultation with a veterinarian; But in general, it can be said:
Diet for small dogs
These dogs need a variety of vitamins, minerals, grains, and vegetables. So there is no need to make their food too full of meat and protein.
Average dog diet
All kinds of vitamins, fatty acids, proteins, and minerals are essential ingredients in the diet of these dogs. Because these dogs have smaller stomachs than big dogs, and they need to get the energy needed for activity from food.
The diet of large and guard dogs
It is quite clear that these dogs should eat high-volume, high-calorie, and protein foods. Because the amount of calories their body burns to provide that amount of energy is very high. Useful food for these dogs should include protein, fiber, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals.
All kinds of commercial dog food; Dry or canned?
Currently, there are commercial foods in the market in two forms: dry food and wet food or canned food. Of course, we should also know that part of this choice is made by the dog itself. Paying attention to what the dog likes is very important when choosing the type of nutrition, but the health of the dog is always the first priority when choosing a food plan for the dog.
Canned dog :
- It is tastier, but it has a higher price and because of the high calories in a small volume, it makes the dog fat.
- Also, this type of food should be used immediately after opening, otherwise, it spoils quickly.
Dry food :
- The easiest way to feed a dog. Because this type of food is dry, it can be exposed to the air for hours without spoiling.
- In terms of price, dry food is much cheaper and more economical than canned food.
However, pet press nutrition veterinarians recommend that instead of giving dry food, you can use a pet press diet that you can cook for your dog at home. Just send us your dog’s information so we can write a balanced meal plan for him.
Iranian or foreign food? which is better?
When you go to a pet shop online or in person to buy dog food, you will encounter many different prices. The difference in the price of pet dog food is largely related to whether the products are Iranian or foreign.
Of course, we should be careful not to feed our dogs any low-quality and worthless food because of the cheap price.
Foreign products have a much higher price due to their high reputation and very good quality, as well as import costs. Some of the most popular foreign dog food brands are:
- Royal dog food
- Josra
- Hills
- Happy Cat
- Bush
Among the brands of Iranian dog food available in the market, we can mention the following brands:
- Pet nutri food
- Dr. John’s food
- useful food
- Petmal food
Which product you want to buy for your dog depends on your budget and the monthly cost you want to pay for your furry friend. Of course, currency fluctuations and the restrictions that have been in place for importing pet food for some time have caused a foreign product to become rare in the market for a while or to be sold at a very high price. Therefore, we recommend you to feed your dog with blood food with a recipe written by a veterinarian.
What should be the volume and amount of dog food per day?
How many servings of dog food? Puppies need 3 to 4 meals a day until they are one year old. But at the age of one, when they reach puberty, you should reduce the frequency of eating to two times a day; Even some dog breeds have no problem with one meal a day.
The amount of food completely depends on the dog’s age, breed, weight, activity level, and health status, and for this reason, it is better to consult a veterinarian about this.
Calculate the amount of dog food per day relative to weight
In general, an adult dog needs 11 grams of dry food for every kilogram of its weight, that is, if your dog weighs 25 kilograms, you should act as follows: 11 x 25 = 275 grams.
So, your dog needs 275 grams of food per day, so it is better to give this amount of food in two meals a day, of course, be sure to check the label on the food because some foods have different calories.
What is the right food for a dog in different periods of growth?
Dogs, like us humans, have different needs at different stages of development, which must be met through food sources. In the following, we discussed each of these stages and its food characteristics.
Important points about puppy food
The mother dog gives milk to the puppies until they are about 8 weeks old, and this milk is the best and most complete source of nutrition for the puppies. From the age of 3-4 weeks, the puppies can gradually start feeding the dog along with mother’s milk. For puppy food from 1 month to 2 months (under 8 weeks), we recommend using starter food for mother and puppy dogs.
Puppies should eat special puppy food from the age of 2 months until they reach puberty in order to get the nutrients they need. Commercial puppy products, which are available in two forms, such as dry food and canned food, are completely in line with the nutritional needs of growing puppies in terms of protein, fat, carbohydrates, etc.
Be careful and if you give dry food to your puppy, be sure to use reliable and preferably foreign brands.
Also, if you see homemade food for your dog, be sure to ask your veterinarian for help to give you a puppy diet.
What is dog food in middle age?
During this period, due to the decrease in the dog’s mobility and activities, its metabolism naturally decreases. So it is better to include the ratio of protein and fat in his diet depending on the needs of his body. Because the high level of any of these items can disrupt the functioning of organs such as the liver, stomach, and kidney.
How should a dog be fed during estrus?
Female dogs usually lose their appetite during estrus or period, and it is precisely at this time that their body needs to be strengthened due to hormonal changes. Therefore, we recommend that you monitor your dog’s nutrition during estrus and provide him with things like cooked meat, favorite treats, and small fruits.
It does not matter if the food is wet or dry. It is important that their smell encourages the dog to eat. Because at this time, the dog perceives smells in a different way and may not like some smells. Be sure to include all kinds of fiber, vitamins, and nutrients in the feeding plan during the period of the dog.
What is the proper nutrition for a pregnant dog?
The pregnancy period of a dog is between 58 and 68 days, and a pregnant dog needs a very nutritious and high-quality diet during this period. Food for pregnant dogs should contain at least 29% protein and 17% fat. In addition, pregnant dog food should contain carbohydrates and fiber to provide the energy needed by the dog and prevent hypoglycemia or blood sugar drop. It should also contain the right amount of calcium and vitamins to meet its own needs and the growth of the puppies.
Special puppy food provides all the nutritional needs of a pregnant dog and has a good balance in terms of protein, fat, and calories. For this reason, we recommend giving him puppy food during this time. Be sure to always provide fresh water to the dog and take care to take the dog to the vet regularly during pregnancy to ensure the health of her and her puppies.
What food is suitable for a dog after giving birth?
Since at the time of birth, the dog spends all its body energy on raising and giving birth to puppies, and now it has to do the same with milking, our dog’s diet must contain the right ratio of calcium and phosphorus. In addition, you should increase the amount of useful fat, calories, and protein in the dog food after giving birth to help strengthen the nursing dog and puppies.
What are the characteristics of dog food during breastfeeding?
Female dogs can give birth to 8 to 12 puppies and sometimes even 12 puppies. Therefore, the female puppy must have the necessary energy to breastfeed so many puppies.
The mother dog needs energetic and nutritious food during breastfeeding, especially in the first 4 weeks, and you should still give her puppy food.
Some brands have products called mother and baby, which are perfect for dogs after giving birth and puppies after 3-4 weeks of age, and we recommend it as a diet for nursing dogs.
What are the differences between sterilized dog food and others?
Veterinarians recommend that domestic dogs be sterilized to prevent unwanted pregnancies, aggressive behavior, the tendency to run away, and many diseases and cancers.
Sterilization of a dog reduces its metabolism, and for this reason, they are highly prone to obesity and overweight.
Obesity in dogs can cause diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, joint and bone problems, etc.; So, our duty as dog owners is to take care of our dog’s calorie intake and weight.
We recommend that you consult a veterinarian about this to determine the right diet for your dog.
Use dry and canned food for sterilized dogs. These products have fewer calories while meeting the dog’s nutritional needs.
Prohibited foods for dogs
It may be strange for you to know that many of the foods found in every home are dangerous, toxic, and harmful to dogs. For this reason, as dog owners, we should know these foods and keep them away from our dogs.
Some foods that are harmful to dogs include:
- Chocolate
- Coffee, tea, and caffeinated drinks
- Grapes and raisins
What diseases are caused by a dog’s wrong diet?
As we emphasized at the beginning of this article, food imbalance can lead to different and sometimes even irreparable injuries for the dog. Therefore, it is better to be familiar with the most common dog diseases that are caused by improper nutrition.
dog obesity
When the balance of the diet is disturbed in the direction of increase and overeating, it will definitely lead to dog obesity. Every dog should eat according to its size, activity level, and calorie burning, and it is not possible to change the food like this. Therefore, you cannot manipulate the number or amount of his meals.
Dog food allergies
This is sometimes common in all kinds of races and sometimes not, just like us humans who may have specific food allergies. The same thing happens in dogs. You should diagnose this based on your experience and coexistence with your dog.
Pancreatitis
This problem occurs when the pancreas becomes inflamed. This is the time when the digestive enzymes become excessive and start breaking down fat and protein in all tissues. For this reason, it is necessary that the amount of fat and protein consumed by your dog does not exceed the balanced limit.
Gravel
Something like high calcium and oxalate can lead to the formation of bladder stones. These stones grow and cause dog discomfort and urinary problems.
Heart disease
Be very careful. Increased sodium in dog food directly affects cardiovascular diseases. After this, don’t forget one thing.
dog anorexia
Usually, when a dog is poisoned or its internal balance is disturbed, it loses its appetite for food. But there are different types of anorexia in dogs and different mental and physical reasons lead to the dog not eating. It is better to visit a veterinarian to find out why the dog is not eating.
Frequently asked questions about how to feed a dog
Most dog owners are faced with all kinds of different questions about the relationship between dog food and its health. We tried to bring you some of the most important questions along with their answers to make this path easier for you.
What food makes a dog strong?
In answer to this question, we must say that you can go to natural resources, especially vegetables and fruits. Some of these substances can make your dog’s body resistant to various diseases. You can include the following items in your dog’s diet in the form of small portions.
- Kale: detoxifying, anti-inflammatory, and useful for the liver
- Carrots: quick healing of wounds and benefits from various vitamins
- Pumpkin: rich in fiber, maintaining the health of the digestive system
- Sweet potato: Strengthening the dog’s immune system
- Fish: an excellent source of protein and minerals
- Nouri (dried seaweed): regulating the body’s metabolism
- Chia seeds: excellent hydrators
- Quinoa: reducing the risk of diabetes
- Yogurt: improving bowel function
- Blueberry: Decreased intestinal motility
Is it necessary to prepare a dog food supplement?
Be careful that you should not give supplements to your dog. Dog food supplements or dog strengthening foods are used in some special cases:
- childhood
- After neutering the dog
- estrous dog
- pregnant dog
- milk dog
- Specific genetics
- Malnutrition
- A dog with a special disease
- Injured or injured dog
The veterinarian will diagnose all these cases and determine the amount and type of food supplement for you. Never use food supplements thinking that you want to have a strong dog. Because by doing this, you may increase the amount of a vitamin in the dog’s body and cause damage to other tissues.
What is the effect of changing seasons on dog nutrition?
You must have been asked what is the difference between dog food in hot and cold months. what’s the reason? The answer to this question is yes. It might be interesting for you to know that dogs have something in common with humans. It means that in hot seasons you look for foods that keep your body temperature low and vice versa in cold seasons. The same applies to animal food.
Protein materials such as chicken, lamb, salmon, and carbohydrate foods warm the body, so it is better to reduce these items from the dog’s diet in the summer. Now, we should add exactly the same amount to the dog’s food in winter so that his body heat is not lost.
What food makes a dog grow?
The most frequent question of dog owners is what to feed my dog to grow well. Honestly, you should not do anything special. You just need to ensure the following things in your dog’s diet from the very beginning for better development of your dog:
- enough water
- Sufficient protein
- Useful fat
- Carbohydrate as needed
- Minerals such as calcium, phosphorus, and iron
- Fiber and vitamins
What food makes a dog fat?
Often, dog owners complain about their obesity. But in some cases, it is necessary to change our dog’s diet so that it becomes fat. Of course, the vet determines this need and tells us how excessive weight loss can harm our dog. In this case, it is better to use these substances to fatten the dog.
- Food with high protein: because of high calories
- High-fat food: because of high calories and fat
- Puppy food: because it has a large amount of protein
These three things in a short time can lead to a beneficial increase in the dog’s weight.
Which is the best dog incentive?
Regarding incentives, you should leave it to the dog to choose the best one, but you should make sure that the desired incentive has useful nutritional value. Now, whether it is a personal promotion, whether it is commercial, or even fruits and vegetables.
What do you think is the best food for dogs?
Well, by reading this article, you know what dog food is and what features it should have. Maybe you are one of those owners who only focus on cooking at home. Maybe you are one of those who only give him commercial food because of your busyness and living conditions. Petpress’s suggestion is to try to maintain a balance and give both of these items in your dog’s diet.
Because both types of food are important for its growth and it is better to have a variety from time to time. What do you think, what is the best dog food? Is your dog more dependent on commercial food or homemade food?