In order for owners to select the best food for their dog, they need to understand the differences between high-quality and low-quality dog foods. There’s no question that a lot of dog foods carry the “complete and well-balanced” label. However, your pet will only thrive on diets rich in quality ingredients that enhance or optimize their ancestral diets more densely.
What makes a good dog food?
Good dog food consists of natural fats and oils, contains meat-based proteins, and is free of chemical flavors, preservatives, colors, and by-products. In addition, it is qualified to meet the nutritional requirements of your dog.
Below is a list of several of the best dog foods of 2012. These brands were chosen based on how well they stack up against idyllic dog foods. The ratings are based on the caliber of quality of each brand’s ingredients and the actual experiences of those who have fed these brands to their pets.
The best dog food brands in 2012
-Origin
Orijen gets high marks for ingredients and nutritional substance. Its main ingredients consist of all meals or meat, chicken or fish. For example, their “Six Fish” formula includes walleye, fresh salmon, salmon meal, herring, and herring meal without by-products. After processing, all formulas are supplemented with probiotics that improve the digestive and immune systems.
-Blue buffalo
Blue Buffalo uses natural ingredients including “Life Source Bits”. These kibble consist of dynamic antioxidants and nutrients that are “cold produced” to maintain their nutritional properties. In fact, Blue Buffalo produces multiple assortments of food to meet the different requirements of each dog, including grain-free foods.
The starting ingredient in most of their dog foods is protein from meat such as chicken, turkey, or fish, followed by standard carbohydrate supplies consisting of barley, oats, rye, and whole grain brown rice. Some formulas contain divisive ingredients like carrageenan and canola oil; however, in minute amounts.
-The honest kitchen
Honest Kitchen dog food contains such high quality ingredients that they applied to the FDA for a “human grade” endorsement, and it was approved! Made in the USA, Honest Kitchen is a privately owned company that also produces human food. Its food is dehydrated and water must be applied to rehydrate it, or it can be used as a food supplement. In addition, Honest Kitchen does not use fillers and the food includes an adequate amount of carbohydrates, fats and proteins. Much of their dog food contains fruits and vegetables that are beneficial to your dog’s health.
-Weruva
Weruva “Human Style” dog food is a grain-free, meat-focused wet product that uses an abundant amount of high-quality meats as its primary animal protein base. Devoid of any kind of plant-supported protein enhancers; Weruva is a wet food consisting of a rich amount of meat. Dog owners who prefer to mimic a dog’s “natural ancestral diet” should select Weruva.
Conclution
Other brands that meet the general nutritional standards of a well-balanced diet for your dog include Taste of the Wild, Natural Balance, Kirkland, Halo, and Acana. All of these contain excellent nutrition for your dog’s daily diet.
Keep in mind that there is no dog food that is perfect for every stage of your dog’s life. So be sure to choose wisely and check with your vet if you’re unsure.