What Should You Be Feeding Your Dog    by jaime on 11 Jul 2014 | No Comment As dog owners, we always want what's best for our loving pooches and their diet is no exception. Like humans, a healthy and balanced diet is crucial to a dog's health to promote optimum physicality and mental awareness. An enriching diet also keeps coats shiny, fights diseases, prevents obesity, keeps insides happy and ultimately sets your pal up for a long and healthy life. But let's face it, choosing dog food can be a minefield of confusion. Fortunately, it doesn't have to be... Firstly, it's important to keep in the back of your mind that dog food companies use clever marketing tools to appeal to you, a human, who is responsible for buying your dog's food - so while many labels and packages are genuine about the contents of food, others like to use clever language and imagery to appeal to you - and your hip pocket. Top tip: Rather than reading the front of your dog's food packaging, read the label to get a full breakdown of ingredients - this is a sure-fire way to make sure what you're buying is appropriate and good for your dog. While cost is an important factor for pet owners when it comes to choosing food, and of course, everyone likes to cut costs where they can, choosing the cheapest dog food going generally is going to cost your more in the long run. Cheap foods are often filled with lower quality ingredients, which means nutritionally, your pet is missing out. In the long run their health will not be as good as it could and you could face an ever-mounting bill with your local vet.   Top tip: Studying what ingredients are best and worst for your dog before you go out shopping is the best way to tackle the dog food aisle. Generally, the cheaper the food the lower the quality, but that doesn't mean the most expensive option is right for your dog. Remember, it's all about the ingredients! Generally speaking, you won't find good quality dog food in the supermarket aisle. Rather, pet stores or specialty pet food shops will stock a better range and better quality products. You're also likely to come across knowledgeable staff who can also help you to decide. Overall, you're looking for a good mix of protein, carbs, fats and vitamins and minerals. Top tip: Nutritionally, dogs require different things at different stages of their life, so do plenty of research to find out what will be best for your dog. Are they a puppy or a mature dog? What size or type of dog are they? Do they have any allergies or intollerances? Dog owners sometimes get confused as to whether they should be feeding their dog dry or canned food varieties. The answer is...there is no answer. Both varieties have pros and cons and some will suit some dogs over others. The choice comes down to you weighing up what suits your dog, your budget, lifestyle and general preferences.   Comment(s)0 Join the Conversation Name* * Please enter your name. Email * Email address will not be published Please enter a valid email address. Comment * Please enter your comment. Security Code 'Please enter security code. Submit