That said, some foods are tailored to the needs of older dogs with specific health issues. "Senior diets are formulated to target some of the common ailments of older pets, such as joint health, digestive health, immune health, and possibly others," says Swanson.

Tasty healthy nutrition is what’s sure to make your dog be at her best. You can tell a diet is of good quality if it can easily meet the nutritional needs of your little friend. Also, it should pass the litmus test of taste, which is, does it appeal to your mutt’s palate? If no, put it aside. Made with real salmon and salmon meal, this CANIDAE PURE limited ingredient formula provides high-quality protein to help your dog build strong muscles. With 32% protein, a little goes a long way. This formula helps dogs feel fuller for longer.Not necessarily. The AAFCO defines byproducts as "secondary products produced in addition to the principal product." Pet food advertising often portrays byproducts as undesirable and unappetizing, but properly processed byproducts are safe and nutritious. For example, liver is a byproduct full of vitamins and minerals that are good for pets. Before meat byproducts can be used in dry or canned pet food, they must be heat-treated and undergo additional processing to eliminate all disease-causing bacteria. Sometimes pet food manufacturing facilities render byproducts, meaning that the byproducts are cooked to kill disease-causing bacteria. On a dog food label, you will see a meat byproduct listed as "byproduct" or "meal." This indicates that the meat ingredient has undergone additional processing and is safe for your dog to eat. How often should I feed my dog? And lastly, with the exception of zinc, the minerals listed here do not appear to be chelated. And that can make them more difficult to absorb. Chelated minerals are usually associated with higher quality dog foods. Nutrient Analysis If your dog is highly active or more sedentary than average, you must adjust the feeding amount accordingly. Active dogs may require more calories, while less active dogs might need fewer. 4. Monitor Your Dog’s Weight For ordinary, healthy adult dogs, a diet that contains between 10 and 15 percent fat (a minimum of five percent) is optimum.

While wet puppy food has its benefits, it's not a necessity. The decision to feed wet food depends on an individual puppy's needs and an owner's preferences and budget. It tends to cost more than kibble and needs to be refrigerated and used within a few days to prevent spoiling. Expert formulations: It's important to consider who decided what would go in the food. Shepherd says you want to look for companies with a doctorate-level nutritionist with experience in dog nutrition on staff. The brand should also employ food scientists who collaborate with nutrition experts. For this guide, we prioritized brands that have a dedicated nutrition expert on staff to align with WSAVA recommendations. Typically, puppy food is for dogs under a year old. There aren't any AAFCO nutrient standards specifically for small and large breed puppies, but some of the best puppy food is formulated for breed size. Shepherd says larger breeds need a unique ratio of calcium to phosphorus for their growing big bones and can benefit from supplements such as glucosamine and chondroitin to help keep their joints healthy. On the flip side, foods for smaller breeds often have smaller kibble for smaller mouths. They may also be slightly higher in calories since smaller breeds can have higher metabolisms. This multi-protein all life stage formula has been vet-formulated for high nutrition density. It also includes a trio of antioxidants, omega-3-and-6 fatty acids, and probiotics which are all great for digestion, absorption, and general wellbeing of your pup. If your mutts’ ages are all spread out, this one-size-fits-all option may be a good choice for your furry family. 3. CANIDAE All Life Stages Multi-Protein Formula Dry Dog FoodThe next item is salt (also known as sodium chloride). Salt is a common additive in many dog foods. That’s because sodium is a necessary mineral for all animals — including humans.