If you’ve recently become a dog parent, choosing the right dog food can be confusing, as there are so many different options out there.
Fortunately, dogs are not usually too picky, and as long as you pay attention to a few basics, there is a wide variety of options to ensure your dog’s nutritional needs are met.
Unlike cats, dogs are omnivorous, so they can eat a plant and meat-based diet and be perfectly healthy. Their nutritional needs do differ from that of humans though, so it’s not enough to just let them eat what you eat - you will need to make sure they’re getting a diet that’s nutritionally complete.
Premium versus supermarket food
There are nutritional requirements laid out in the Australian Standard AS 5812:2017, which any commercial food that is labelled ‘nutritionally complete’ or ‘balanced’ should abide by. While compliance is not mandatory, most pet food manufacturers voluntarily meet these standards.
When it comes to commercial pet food, there are a number of different options, from supermarket own brand to premium products.
Many of the premium foods come with a premium price tag to match, but they are better quality and can be easier on your pet’s digestive system. If your dog is underweight, switching to a premium food might help them gain weight.
However, your dog can also be perfectly healthy on the cheaper supermarket brands.
Raw or natural feeding?
There is a theory that because dogs evolved from wolves, a diet that’s more like their ancestors would have eaten is healthier. Raw feeding means giving your dog a mostly carnivorous, raw meat diet with a few supplementary vegetables, minerals and vitamins.
Along the same lines, some dog owners believe that like humans, dogs are not equipped naturally to eat grains. Grain-free food is not the same as carbohydrate-free food – like humans, dogs need carbohydrates for energy.
According to a report on the ABC, natural and raw diets can be perfectly safe as long as they are nutritionally balanced. But the reality is that dogs have evolved over the years and it’s no longer necessary to feed them this way.
Wet or dry food?
As long as it’s good quality and nutritionally balanced, there’s very little difference between wet and dry food. Which one you give to your dog depends largely on their personal preference.
Can my dog be vegetarian or vegan?
Because of their omnivorous nature, dogs can be perfectly healthy on a plant-based diet, just like humans can. But, just like humans you will need to give your dog a B12 supplement and make sure they are getting all the amino acids and minerals they need to be healthy.
There are a number of commercially available vegetarian dog food products available. If you’re considering a vegetarian diet for your dog it’s a good idea to talk to your vet so you can make sure your pet is getting everything they need to thrive.
While it might seem complicated at first, choosing the right dog food is mostly a matter of preference. With so many different options it’s fairly easy to ensure your dog has everything they need to live a healthy and energetic life.
Check out our dog food range which contains both dry and wet dog food, as well as prescription vet diet food, to give your furry friend the nutrition they need.