If you are someone who just bought their first dog and are looking to learn how to take care of it, this post on the 7 best dog foods to consider if you are a first time dog owner is going to help you out tremendously! From learning how to feed your new pooch and what type of food is the healthiest, to grooming tips and information about what kind of toys are most appropriate for your pet, you’re going to find some great information in this comprehensive article. Of course, if you’ve owned dogs in the past, you still might learn something new in here, so stick around!
Table of Contents
1) The ingredients of good dog food
There is a lot that goes into choosing the right dog foods. The first thing to do is always read the ingredients and make sure there are no fillers or corn products in it. It should have meat as the first ingredient and not sugar or any other preservatives. There are some really great brands of dog food on the market, but if you don’t want to spend a lot of time reading labels and looking for information about what’s inside them then your best bet is to go with what your vet recommends.
2) How much should I feed my dog?
Knowing how much to feed your dog can be a little tricky. Generally speaking, most dogs do best on 2-4 cups of food per day. If you have a puppy or have noticed that your dog is gaining weight or doesn’t seem to be losing weight despite being on a diet and exercise routine, try reducing the amount of food given in intervals until you find the right balance. Keep in mind that some breeds are more active than others and will need more calories.
3) Advantages of wet vs. dry food
Dry food can be easier to store and is less expensive than wet food. However, dry food also has the potential to create a lot of dust that could affect your dog’s respiratory system. Wet food creates much less dust and is easier for many dogs to digest.
4) How often should I feed my dog?
Another thing you’ll want to consider is how often your dog should be eating. Studies have shown that dogs who are fed twice a day with one meal in the morning and another in the evening tend to be more healthy than those who only eat once per day. Consider this when deciding how many times per day you’ll need to feed your dog.
5) Tips to transition your pet from kibble to wet food
The most important thing to remember when transitioning your dog from kibble to wet food is that it can take time. Start by mixing the new food with their old food in increasing proportions each day until they are eating only wet food. It’s also important to keep things interesting for them by rotating through different brands and flavors.
6) Easy ways to get dogs to eat their wet meals
Some dogs love their wet food and can’t wait to eat it. Other dogs refuse to touch it with a ten-foot pole. And then there are those who only want kibble and nothing else. No matter which category your dog falls into, these tips should help:
Mix some wet food in with the dry kibble at each meal. This will give your dog a chance to try something new without actually changing his entire diet.
7) Great dog foods to try out right away
#1: Hill’s Science Diet Adult
#2: Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets OM Plus Calorie Control
#3: Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets OM Plus Moderate Calorie Control
#4: Merrick Grain Free Real Beef & Sweet Potato Recipe
#5: Wellness CORE Original Dry Food for Puppies & Senior Dogs
#6: Pedigree Adult Complete Nutrition Dry Dog Foods
#7: Nutro Max Small Bite Dry Dog Foods