Looking after a pet is a really rewarding part of life, and caring for them is relatively straightforward but there are things to consider when buying food for your dog.It is not only what you are feeding your dog, but also how much you are feeding that is important.

Many of us make our buying decision based on price, but you should also pay close attention to the ingredients within the food if you truly want to buy the best dog food.If you want your dog to have a glossy coat, bright eyes, energy and good overall health then a good quality dog food is essential.To ensure that you are giving your dog the highest quality of food, always check the labelling on the bag.

As dogs are carnivorous it is widely accepted that their diet should contain good quality meats.With this in mind you need to find a dog food where the very first ingredient is meat, whether this is chicken, beef, lamb, pork etc.If the ingredients list shows meat by-products don’t buy it. Meat by-products can include skin, fat, crushed bone and even feathers and offer no nutritional value.Soya is becoming widely recognised in human food, but for dogs it is another no-go product as many are intolerant to it.

There are now specialist dog foods available that in addition to providing a nutritionally balanced meal can also improve certain aspects of the animals physical well-being.For example, you can now buy dog food that has been formulated to help clean the animal’s teeth whilst she is chewing.Oils are effective at adding shine to a dog’s coat. Look for dog foods with Omega 6 and Omega 3 for achieving healthier skin.

If your dog is very active then you should look for foods that are high in protein and carbohydrates, as these will help to keep energy levels high.As your dog gets older you must alter the diet. An older dog does not require the same amount of caolories or carbs as a younger more active dog.
When buying canned food for your dog, be careful about avoiding foods that list water as a main ingredient.You will find that many of the cheaper dog food products sold in a can contain water as the main ingredient and this is due to cutting costs.If you feed your dog a diet of good quality wet food you should combine this with a daily dry chewy product, such as a bone. This helps to exercise your dog’s jaw and can help keep teeth clean.

A high quality dog food should not break the bank and really will benefit your dog in terms of overall health and well-being.The ticket price of premium dog foods is generally higher but portion sizes are usually smaller, so the cost per bowl will often work out the same as a cheap supermarket type feed.