Tips On Reading Dog Food Labels And Picking One Out

by

Hiltder

One of the most commonly left for granted things in the pet word is the labels on their food, especially dog food. Most owners would just grab the first dog food can or sack they see and take it home. However, it s important that you pay close attention to what you re feeding you furry pet, and reading the labels is the only way to monitor their diet. The AAFCO or Association of American Feed Control Officials has made it easier for pet owners to read the dog food labels and protect themselves from misleading claims and secret ingredients. Giving our dogs the right food will help them grow strong, avoid catching or developing illnesses like degenerative myelopathy, and keep their system function normally.

How to read dog food labels

The smallest change on the label s wordings and arrangement could make a very big difference in the contents of the dog food.What s important is the solid ingredients or components in the mix, not the liquid. Most brands are straight forward when it comes to placing the ingredients. They usually just print out the main protein, such as beef, liver, or pork, on the label and even place a small photo of the mix. Other ingredients are commonly printed in small prints at the back of the packaging.

Which one to get for their age

Some dog food brands will also indicate if they re for puppies, adult or senior dogs. Like humans, dogs also have different nutritional needs as they grow older. Puppies need a bit more protein, carbohydrates and calcium, adult dogs need a balance of all the nutrients, and senior dogs will need less of certain vitamins and nutrients. Base their diet on their age and your dog will surely stay healthier and live longer. It also helps them minimize the chances of genetic illnesses like degenerative myelopathy.

Allergies

You might not be aware of this, but some dogs are actually allergic to certain types of food. A common allergen would be chicken, which causes them to shed heavily and develop scabs and rashes on their skin. Before giving your dog any type of dog food, it s best to talk to your vet to make sure it doesn t affect them. You can also give them a small amount for a few days and see if it causes any allergic reactions. A sudden change of brand can also cause them to have digestive problems, but once they get used to it, their digestion goes back to normal.

Giving our dogs the right food will help them grow strong, avoid catching or developing illnesses like

degenerative myelopathy

, and keep their system function normally.

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