Dogs are the most common pets in homes around the world. This is because dogs have established themselves and the most loyal and best domestic pets one could ask for. They are praised as a man’s best companion. Therefore, dogs should be treated as part of the family and given a lot of care and attention. One way of showing care is through buying your doing quality food.
However, buying quality food for a dog might be difficult, especially for first-time dog owners. There are many factors to be considered, such as the size and age of the dog. Here are some of the vital factors to consider while buying food for your dog.
Age of your dog
The daily calorie intake for every bread depends on the age of the dog. Small puppies require a high level of calories because puppies are generally active as compared to adult dogs. They require high protein and carbohydrates to build their bones and provide them with energy to match their daily body needs. As the dog grows, its calorie intake level reduces. Failing to reduce calorie intake would make your dog overweight. Moreover, lower amounts of calories help maintain bone density and coat quality as the dog grows.
Nutrition
Nutrition is essential in the development and growth of your dog. Much like humans, dogs also have nutritional requirements for their meals, including carbohydrates, fats, and proteins. Protein is the most important nutritional element for dogs. Therefore, when shopping for dog food in an online pet store, always go for meat-based meals with high protein content. Make sure you make the right choice of meat. Meat meal is better compared to whole meat because it has a larger quantity of meat. Fats are essential in keeping your dog warm.
Ingredients
When buying dog food online, always check the product description to see the types and kinds of ingredients used for producing the product. Chemical ingredients significantly affect the dog’s health. Try to buy food products that use natural preservatives such as tocopherol or ascorbic acid. Natural preservatives are safe for your dog and improve their immune system due to their vitamin properties.
Breed size
Different breeds require different food requirements. Small-sized breeds have a better metabolic system as compared to large size breeds. This means small breed metabolize their food faster thus need a greater number of a meal rich in nutrients. Larger breeds require heavy meals and more protein intake. You should maintain the weight of your dog regularly to avoid medical problems such as diabetes.
Dog’s preference
The type of food you feed your dog, whether wet or dry, depends on your dog. Every dog has a different taste and preference; some like wet food while others like dry food. However, it is recommended that you keep switching from wet to dry since they have their benefits.
Conclusion
While in an online pet store shopping for dog food, it is essential to keep the points mentioned above so that your dog can stay nourished and well-taken care of. Be careful not to overfeed your dog as this might lead to issues such as for overweight and diabetes.
