Dogs eat what is provided by their masters. Your dog’s health depends on how and what dog treats and food you feed it. This is because dogs can’t tell when their food is expired or has too many calories. And that’s why some dogs look malnourished while others seem overweight. Most dog owners blindly buy dog food, probably because they don’t know that dogs also need to eat well to remain in good health.
Research has proved that dogs that don’t eat well end up suffering from diseases such as diabetes, arthritis, and heart conditions, just like humans. On the other hand, the market is flooded by various brands of canine treats that make it difficult for uninformed dog owners to make the right choice. Below is a list of the things that you should look for when shopping for dog food and dog treats, whether they be big-name brand dog biscuits, bully sticks, treats from a local small business, or from somewhere online
1. Ingredients
The ingredients used to make a treat determine the nutrients your pet will get. The nutritional needs among dogs vary according to age and status. By default, most foods contain carbs and lots of proteins. Puppies and expectant dogs require more nutrients than adult canines. The logic behind this argument is that puppies need a lot of energy to remain in playful mode, while expectant dogs need to remain well-nourished to safeguard the health of unborn puppies. You should therefore check the label of the container before you pay for your order to ensure you get the right match for your dog.
2. Expiration Date
The worst mistake that you can make when shopping for USA dog treats is buying stuff that’s on the verge of expiring. When treats expire, their nutrients are transformed into harmful bacteria and toxins. Such bacteria can make your pet to get sick. The problem is that most stores don’t screen their shelves to get rid of expired treats. You should therefore check the expiry date of every treat that’s usually printed on one side of the packet. Sometimes the food can expire a few weeks after you have made your order. To prevent threats from expiring while still in use, you should pick foods with an extended shelf life.
3. Feeding Guidelines
You must follow the feeding guidelines that the manufacturer provides. In fact, most manufacturers specify the portion size that should be given to each dog. The food serving recommendations vary depending on the dog’s reproductive status, breed, and age. The guidelines are provided to prevent you from overfeeding or underfeeding your pet. For instance, active breeds require larger portions than inactive breeds.
4. AAFCO Approval
Although there are many varieties of dog food in the market, some of them are not prepared in the best interests of your canine. They don’t contain the essential nutrients that dogs need. More often, such treats are not well formulated. When you feed your dog with such treats, you will realize that its health dwindles instead of improving. That’s you should buy food that has been approved by AAFCO (American Association of Feed Control). Treats that bear the verification of AAFCO are normally analyzed in a lab to confirm that they are balanced in terms of nutrients.
5. Brand
There are different brands of dog food. Established brands tend to cost more than upcoming brands. This is because such brands are already classified as household names. The good thing is that you can’t run out of choices because many brands are in the market. Most dog owners prefer to buy top brands because they are made by manufacturers that observe high-quality control standards. If unsure about a particular brand, you should comb through online reviews to get more insights. There are so many dog foods to pick from; check ThePetitePets advice and review articles.
