Best Food for Dogs - Part 1
The ultimate guide!
Hello all! Today Thinker Paws is back with an pawsome guide for you to read! So grab a tablet or computer and read on!
There are many types of dog food that your pooch can eat. Read about it below!
Kibble
Classic kibble is one of the most popular types of dog food. It is classified as "dry" and can either be oven baked or made through an extrusion process. Often kibble is made by by mixing the wet and dry ingredients together and creating a dough-like mixture. "This mix then goes into a piece of machinery called an “expander.” This machine uses hot water or pressurized steam to cook the ingredients. The mixture is under high pressure and high temperatures while it’s in the expander. Then the dough is pushed or “extruded” though holes that are specially-shaped and cut into small pieces. Think of it like pushing Play-doh through a Play-doh factory to make special shapes.At this point the dough is still under pressure but once it’s extruded and the pressure is released, the pieces will puff up. These are the pieces of kibble destined for your dog food bag. The kibble still has to be dried in a drier then sprayed with fats, oils, vitamins and minerals. Afterwards it is quickly sealed into a bag so the fats and oils won’t spoil." says Nylabone.com.
Dehydrated Dog Food
Similar to kibble, it has most of kibble's advantages. They aren't cooked at high temperatures so they don't lose the nutrients each component would have. They don't spoil easily, even without preservatives. Some of the companies that make dehydrated dog foods add dehydrated raw food to their kibble to give it an extra amount of protein. While they are more expensive than kibble, they have less moisture so you avoid overfeeding your dog. They come in packages and are less messy than wet food.
Canned Dog Food
Though not very popular among dog owners, canned dog food is really good for dogs, especially small ones. They also have a lot of moisture , nutrients, and a lot of protein in them. The two appeal to dogs a lot, so that's why they love them so much. They also have less starch , which is good. Canned foods are great for picky dogs and old dogs who are losing their appetite. Even though this is more expensive than kibble, it is a great food source and will please your dogs.
Frozen Raw, Freeze-Dried, Refrigerated Dog Foods
These types of dog foods are dry and easy to manage. You can store these into your refrigerator and food these to your dog afterwards. Unlike food which you have to freeze after, it comes iced (though you do have to keep them in the fridge). Another plus is that you don't have to do anything to the food before serving it.
Pouches
Pouches are resealable, easy to store, and the food often has a meaty taste that dogs like. While they aren't very popular, some owners like them. Though pet food in pouches do tend to have higher amounts of added sugar and salt (sucrose, cane sugar, caramel, corn syrup, sorbitol, and fructose.), you should be fine if you check the nutrition facts. Fructose can be a probiotic in pouched food though that isn't very common. They sometimes can work on meat protein.
Mixes And Pre-Mixes
This type is simply a base for dogs, for owners who make their own food. Added on after is different types of meat or other ingredients. Be sure to note if it is a complete meal alone or something has to be added to be part of your dog's diet. The best mixes are usually approved by the AAFCO.
Supplements
There are things other than carbs and protein when it comes to dog food. There are also labels like prebiotics, probiotics, enzymes, vitamins, and minerals, glucsoamine, chondroitin, and fatty acids. If your dog doesn't have digestive problems he probably doesn't need supplements. Heating dog food while making it destroys nutrients so often vitamins and minerals are added. This can go overboard, and your dog may get an overdose. Unless your dog is unhealthy or you are feeding him/her raw food, he or she probably doesn't need probiotics.
DANGEROUS FOR DOGS-FOODS YOUR DOG CANNOT EAT!
Xylitol - Candy and other sweet treats are sweetened with xylitol, and can cause blood sugar drop and liver failure in dogs. Symptoms include vomiting, lethargy, and coordination problems. Eventually, your dog may have seizures.
Avocados - These fruits have something called persin, and persin can cause vomiting and diarrhea in dogs. Persin is in the leaves, seed, and bark, as well as the fruit.
Onions and Garlic- They can kill their red blood cells, causing amnesia.
Caffeine- Caffeine can be fatal to your dog.
Chocolate - Chocolate can kill dogs.
See our next guide for more details.
Source: https://pets.webmd.com/dogs/ss/slideshow-foods-your-dog-should-never-eat