Finding one brand of commercial dog food that is good enough to be fed to your canine friend and within your budget is a herculean task. As pet parents around the world face this classic dilemma of finding the most healthy food for their beloved dogs, we present five tips for doing just that!

Kibble size
The most fundamental aspect is keeping your dog in mind. What breed is he/she? Is she a pregnant or lactating mother dog? Is he a young, active dog who oozes energy? Or is he/she a senior adult dog who enjoys her quiet life around the house? Young pups, large breed dogs, and pregnant or lactating mother dogs need a lot more nutrition than small breeds or senior dogs. Our tip here is that you must carefully choose the kibble size of the dog food according to the age and specific health condition of your dog. Smaller breeds, puppies, and expectant mother dogs might be most comfortable with smaller kibble sizes, while large breeds and healthy adult dogs would not usually mind larger kibble sized dog food.

Balanced fare
Dogs typically derive their energy from the protein in their foods. the tip here is to ensure there is at least 30% protein in whichever type of dog food you choose because that is the primary requirement for healthy adult dogs. Protein demands for puppies and senior dogs could vary. Similarly, a basic rate of 15% fat is necessary to keep your dog’s coat healthy and shiny. To ensure their meal is a balanced one.

Special diets
Dogs that are susceptible to food allergies, food intolerances, or food sensitivity issues demand an entirely different kind of food depending on what they can digest easily without producing any allergic reactions. Consult a veterinarian who knows your dog and decide on the special diet Foy your pet.

Monitoring agency approval
The FDA is responsible for regulating pet foods by monitoring and inspecting manufacturers and ensuring they do not mislead customers. The AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials), on the other hand, is a voluntary organization with regulatory officers who are responsible for rigorously enforcing the respective State’s laws concerning animal foods. Presenting the right labels along with the ingredient and nutritional constituents of the manufactured food for AAFCO’s approval and meeting their quality standards and feeding trial requirements can earn manufacturers a claim that their dog food is “nutritionally complete.” Hence look for dog food approved by AAFCO or the FDA. This is the most important tip when it comes to providing healthy dog food.

Food labels
You must learn to read and understand the descriptive label on the dog food package. Healthy dog food must contain real ingredients that are both nutritious and palatable to your canine friend, and not contain a whole lot of processed chemicals and toxins. Protein from chicken is an ideal energy-giving component suitable for most dogs. Ensure it is mentioned either as the first ingredient or at the beginning of the list. Similarly, the essential fat that is included in commercially prepared dog food must mention the source of the meat or oil it is derived from. Preferably, there should not be any by-products, or corn, wheat, soy, artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives in the ingredient list. Your pet does not gain much nutritional benefit from these.

These tips are highly essential when searching for healthy food options for your dog.