Expert Guide to Choosing the Best Dog Food: Tips & Tric
Firstly, steer clear of ingredients like bone meal powder, meat and bone meal, or any term that includes "bone meal" in it.
These types of ingredients are the cheapest on the market, but also the worst in quality.
Secondly, prioritize ingredients listed first in the ingredient list, especially those that specify the source as meat meal or fresh meat meal.
Be clear: chicken meal is chicken meal, and chicken is chicken. If the first ingredient is a cheaper alternative like grain or plant protein, it's a red flag and the product should be discarded.
Avoid pet foods that contain soy or corn ingredients.
The corn and soy used in pet food production are often of the lowest quality, with corn particularly prone to contamination by aflatoxins, a deadly substance that can form when stored improperly.
Stay away from semimoist pet foods.
These products are laden with additives, colorants, flavor enhancers, and preservatives. They lack the stringent standards of human food, and there's no standardization in dosages.
Avoid pet foods that contain the following chemical preservatives: BHA, BHT, propylene glycol, propyl gallate, and ethoxyquin.
These chemicals are toxic and should never be given to dogs. Since dog food is a daily staple, the accumulation of toxins can be rapid, and your dog's organs may not be able to withstand the load.
Be cautious with products designed specifically for senior dogs or for weight loss.
These products are not scientifically sound and often contain inappropriate levels of protein and fat, or an excessive amount of fiber, which can lead to a range of skin and hair issues.
Every 2 to 3 months, switch the brand and flavor of your dog's kibble.
The manufacturing process of dry pet food is not refined, so regular changes can help reduce the accumulation of the same toxins and lower the risk of harm.
Be wary of counterfeit imported products.
Counterfeits are more common than you might think. A quality imported product is likely to be found on these three websites:
1. www.zooplus.com
2. www.chewy.com
3. www.petco.com
If you can't find a brand on these sites, it's best to reconsider purchasing that particular international product.
