Dog Care Manual

There are so many dog foods on the market these days, dog owners can be forgiven for feeling confused about what is right and best for their pet. It can take some trial and error before you find the best selection for your dog, depending on its own tastes and dietary requirements. Major dog food brands offer a wide variety of different combinations of food to suit different breeds, ages and sizes of dog. So whether you have a puppy, an ageing dog, a St Bernard or a chihuahua, there will be a type of food on the market designed specifically for its requirements.

Vets and dog breeders can also recommend the best type of dog food.

Different types of dog food

There are several basic different types of food for dogs. Dry and canned varieties are known as ‘complete’ foods, which means that they contain all the necessary nutrients such as protein, fat and carbohydrate and are in the correct quantities for a balanced diet. Semi-moist dog food is between dry and canned food in that in contains more water than dry food, but not as much as canned. Another popular type is mixer food, which is designed to have a lower level of protein and fat, as found in meat. This is designed to be mixed with meat in the correct proportions, to give a balanced meal.

Among the many brands available, Purina dog food provides a wide variety of specific foods. Its vet diet range includes food specifically for dogs with food intolerances, which are common in dogs. They also contain ingredients to help improve the health of a dog’s joints if they are suffering from arthritis for example, and those with kidney or skin complaints.

Pro Plan dog food features specially formulated foods for different types of dogs, whether they are athletic, sensitive, older dogs, puppies or large breeds.

The Royal Canin dog food range offers types designed to give the exact nutritional balance for different breeds of dog throughout their life. The vet care range features food for neutered and un-neutered dogs as well as those with sensitivities.

With so many different varieties of dog food available, it is now possible to design a dietary plan to suit any animal based around its size, age, breed and even to minimise the effects of common health conditions.