Dry Dog Food Comparison Chart

For dog lovers, few things are more important than ensuring that a pet is healthy. Diet is supremely important in ensuring that a dog's nutritional needs are met, and many owners opt to feed their dogs dry food. Some dry foods are more beneficial than others, and there are certain nutritional concerns dog owners should keep in mind when selecting a dry food for their pets.

Dry dog food is usually either grain-based or meat-based. A grain-based dog food is made mainly of corn, rice or another grain. Meat-based dry dog foods include more lean meats and poultry. Of the two types, most nutritional veterinarians suggest that a meat-based dry dog food is better for dogs. Though these foods are more expensive than the grain-based types, they are higher quality, so the dog does not need to eat as much to get the required nutrition.

To determine whether dog food is meat-based or grain-based, consult package. A meat-based dog food will list chicken, lamb or other meats as the first ingredient, whereas grain-based foods will usually list corn or rice as the first ingredient. A dry dog food should also contain the correct nutritional values for a dog, since if a dog is eating low-quality food he will be getting plenty of caloric intake but little nutritional value. A dry dog food should be about 30 percent protein and about 20 percent fat, and contain vitamins.

A nutritious dry dog food will help dogs stay healthy and live longer.A dog eating better quality and more nutritious food will be healthier overall. Dogs that eat lower quality food have to eat large quantities of it to meet nutritional needs, which tends to make them overweight. Weight problems in dogs are just as serious as they are in humans, and they can cause circulatory and heart problems. A healthy, balanced dog food with high nutritional benefits will improve a dog's skin and coat and keep her hearing and eyesight healthy.

It is important to remember that there is no one type of dog food that is perfect for every dog. A dog's nutritional needs change throughout his life. A puppy's dietary needs are different from those of an elderly dog, and dogs with health problems require a special diet. A veterinarian can examine how a diet is affecting an individual dog's health and determine his specific nutritional requirements.

When selecting a dog food, meat-based diets are typically the most nutritious choice, but it is important to keep a dog's diet balanced. A diet that consists entirely of meat would be just as detrimental to a dog's health as a diet that contained no meat. Dogs, like humans, require a balance in their diets, and selecting a dry dog food that meets all nutritional needs is important to health and longevity.