Tips For Choosing Healthy Dog Food
When it comes to our pets’ diets, we want to ensure that they get the best of the best. High-protein, low-fat, and moderate-calorie foods; we want to get it just right. That said, you must ensure that your dog actually has these requirements before you spend your hard-earned dollars on dog food brands. To that end, here’s a little something to know about high-protein meals for dogs and a few brands that would be best for your pooch.
What is a high-protein meal?
Typically, foods that come with labels like “low-calorie” have fixed nutrient requirements to meet, but there is, unfortunately, no set standard that defines the nutrient levels of high-protein food. This is why dog food brands usually consider adult dog foods with over 18% protein value as high-protein food. However, if your dog needs high-protein food, you may want to consider foods with around 30% protein content.
While this number is an essential part of picking out high-protein dog food brands, there is so much more that goes into choosing a brand that’s perfect for your pet. This starts with understanding whether your pet needs high-protein food in the first place.
Does your dog need high-protein food?
Before you get to choosing high-protein dog food brands, you need to understand whether your pet truly needs it:
- Working dogs: Yes, dogs with jobs need more protein than those with no jobs. Working dogs include herding dogs, tracking dogs, and military K9 dogs.
- Canine athletes: If your pet pooch is spending time training in athletics like agility training or is a part of any other canine sport, they need high-protein dog food to sustain their lifestyle.
- Pregnant dogs: Dogs that are pregnant or feeding need the right amount of nutrients to support themselves as well as nourish the pup. So, ensure that they get the right amount of all necessary nutrients, including protein.
Brands that are known for offering high-protein dog food
- BLUE
This grain-free dog food comes in different combinations and includes whole meats and meat meals. It is packed with real salmon and contains Blue’s exclusive formula of LifeSource Bits. Not to mention, it will provide your pooch with the amount of protein they need. While it is an expensive dog food brand, rest assured that your pet will be getting a whopping 37.7% dry-matter protein. - Solid Gold
Another dog food brand known for its high-protein meals is Solid Gold. The Solid Gold high-protein dog food with duck is a 16-nutrient packed superfood that your dog will thrive on. It comes in a low-carbohydrate, moderate calorie combination and contains 42.2% protein. - Taste of the Wild
Taste of the Wild dog food contains a whole range of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. Not to mention, it comes with a minimum of 32% protein and provides your pooch with exactly what it needs. This formula is made with real lean meats, along with fruits and veggies for a dash of fiber.