Food is one of your pet’s basic needs, and just like humans, a proper and balanced diet will keep your pet looking and feeling good. Clean, high-quality dog food is the foundation of good health. Today, there are hundreds of different dog foods available, making it difficult to choose the right one. There are also a wide range of specialists to ask for advice – from vets to breeders – and we often hear different recommendations. The reason is simple: there is no single right answer. However, it is up to the dog owner to make the final decision.

List of dog food ingredients

See what’s on the back of the food pack – or how to read the composition of food? The list of ingredients on the packaging of the food is a very important source of information to assess whether it is a good enough quality dog food. The composition of the food, or recipe, is indicated on the packaging in descending order of quantity. Starting with the biggest and ending with the smallest. We’ll share with you some tips to look out for. It is a good sign if the animal component (meat, dried meat, hydrolysed or dehydrated meat or animal protein, meat meal, etc.) is in the first place. Even better if there is more than one of the first five ingredients. Here are some examples from our own range to compare the different products. For example, let’s take a look at the composition of Grandorf Rabbit Meat and Sweet Potatoes dog food: dehydrated rabbit meat, dehydrated turkey meat, dried sweet potato, fresh rabbit meat, turkey fat, … – We can see that there are 2 different meat sources in the first place.

Sources of protein in dog food

It is a good sign if the sources of animal protein (lamb, chicken, turkey, etc.) are indicated on the packaging.

Sources of fat in dog food

Sources of fat should be listed (turkey fat, duck fat, etc.), which guarantees reliability and quality on the part of the manufacturer. In cases where “hydrolysed animal protein” or “poultry fat” is used on the label without any reference to its source, the question arises as to whether the manufacturer is trying to hide something or whether, for example, the animal protein comes from a source other than meat (bone meal, etc., a lower quality protein source). For example Healthy Paws Lamb and Brown Rice Dog Food uses salmon oil as the fat source.

Fillers in dog food

It is quite common, especially in middle and lower-priced foods, to use wheat or maize. This is not necessarily a bad thing. Although most dog breeds have been shown to be able to digest cereals, unfortunately too many of these ingredients are added to dog food. Often so much that it is the most abundant in the food. The reason is quite simple – it allows you to offer your product at a lower price.

Hypoallergenic dog foods

These are dog foods free from known allergens such as wheat, wheat gluten, corn, soy, sub-products and animal derivatives in general, artificial flavour enhancers and artificial preservatives. Chicken is also generally not used in such foods. Chicken meat is very easy to digest and very rich in nutrients, but in many cases it can cause allergic reactions in dogs. Hypoallergenic dog foods can be recognised by the words “Hypoallergenic” on the packaging, such as Wolf’s Mountain Wild Forest dry dog food.

Preservatives in dog food

Only natural preservatives should be used in the best dog food. The use of artificial preservatives generally indicates the use of low quality raw materials. Artificial preservatives can cause hyperactivity in dogs.

Grain-free dog food

One of the most common questions we get is “Should there be any cereals in dog food? Should I choose a grain-free dog food?” There is no one right answer, but we now know that both brown and white rice and millet are so-called good grains. Maize can be considered neutral if it is not used as a bulking agent in the dog’s diet in excessive amounts. Wheat, however, should be avoided in dog food.

Dry food or canned food for your dog?

Dry food for a dog should be nutritious. The dog should be given dry food (commonly known as crisps) 2 times a day – 1 portion in the morning and another in the evening. It is also advisable to include canned dog food. Canned food should be a supplement to dry food. It is not advisable to give your dog food intended for humans, as it often contains salt and other flavourings, as well as other ingredients that are harmful to your dog’s health. Make sure the dog has access to water throughout the day.

How much to feed your dog?

Unfortunately, there is no single answer for all dogs and dog breeds. The size of the portion depends on a number of criteria: breed, age, activity and health. If you’re not sure if you’re feeding your dog the right amount, use Pro-Nutrition’s dog food calculat The calculator is in English.

Calculate here: https://www.pro-nutrition.flatazor.com/en/calcul-de-ration

There are certainly a number of criteria to consider when choosing the best dog food. If you follow the recommendations above, you’re on the right track, regardless of the manufacturer’s name on the packaging.

All you have to do is choose a suitable packet of food according to these criteria (preferably a small packet to start with) and give it to your dog to try first. Dogs can’t judge the goodness of food by anything other than smell. It is very easy to artificially introduce an appetising smell into any food. This trick is often used for low-quality foods. It is up to the dog owner to decide whether it is a healthy, high-quality dog food. There is no single, one-size-fits-all solution – dare to try different dog foods in a step-by-step transition and monitor your dog’s health as you go.
Your dog’s health starts with good food!

Read also the blog on the treatment of dermatitis with Protect Dermato special food.