How to Choose the Perfect Food for Your Dog

Did you know? A dog kept at a healthy weight and fed a balanced, high-quality diet can live up to 34 months longer, depending on the breed!

So how do you choose the right food to ensure your dog stays healthy and happy for life?

First and foremost: no two dogs have the same needs! It’s crucial to find what suits your dog best. Let’s delve into some essential factors...

Recognizing Quality Food

Just like with human food, it’s helpful to identify key details on labels or product descriptions.

Look for food without added colorants or preservatives. For example, you’ll read on Doggy Grub packages: “no meat-by-product, preservatives, artificial colours, flavours or synthetic supplements”

The main ingredients should be meat and/or fish, then comes vegetables and added vitamins & minerals (ideally not synthetic or lab-made). Each Doggy Grub recipe has been developed alongside vets and pet nutritionists to ensure a balanced meal at each serve!

Beware of misleading packaging promises: salmon steaks and chicken fillets are rarely used ingredients! In any case, dogs don’t need these ‘noble’ cuts and benefit just as much from various parts, which also supports a more eco-friendly approach by reducing waste.

Finally, check the analytical contents: that's the percentage of proteins, fats and carbohydrates. If some brands highlight a certain percentage of fat or carbohydrate, remember that this can vary (sometimes significantly) from one dog to another, especially if your dog suffers from health issues.

Why are Portions Important?

Did you know that a 5% discrepancy in energy intake can affect a dog’s weight? It may seem minimal, but remember that dogs have much smaller bodies than we do.

Additionally, most dogs don’t self-regulate their eating: if it were up to them, they might devour the whole bag of food at once. That’s why it’s crucial for us, as owners, to serve the right quantities (and stick to them!).

Does your dog need to lose a bit of weight and you’re having trouble keeping track of everything they eat? Create a journal where you note meals, treats, leftovers, walks... You can also display a chart where each household member records what they give: the goal is to reduce served quantities.

Determining the correct meal portion is crucial. Most commercial kibble bags have a dosing chart based on the dog’s weight. It’s an indication, often a “range,” so it’s rarely precise. Don’t hesitate to ask your vet for help to fine-tune it.

Or you can choose portion-controlled nutrition? At Doggy Grub, your meals comes in individual, ready-to-serve packs and our team is available to help you determine which portion is good for your dog. Simply email us at contact@doggygrub.com.au and give us your dog's age, breed, and activity level.

Choosing the best food for your dog is a crucial aspect of their overall health and wellbeing. By understanding their unique nutritional needs, recognising quality ingredients, and serving appropriate portions, you can ensure your dog enjoys a long, happy, and healthy life by your side.

Doggy Grub is here to support you every step of the way on this rewarding journey of pet care.

Want to be the first to get your paws onto the hottest topics? Subscribe to our newsletter!

--------------------------------------------------------------------

The Doggy Grub blog is dedicated to helping dogs and their owners achieve happier, healthier lives, changing the way we feed our dogs one bowl at a time! If you would like to know more about our fresh food head to Doggy Grub