Main 5 Types of Dog Food to Choose From

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All the Flavors a Heart Can Desire: What Are the Main 5 Types of Dog Food to Choose From? 

Every dog owner wants to give their pooch the best that life can offer. Wonderous long walks, happy romps at the dog park, frisbee on the beach, snuggle on the sofa and plenty of good food. But if you’re a new dog owner or one that is concerned about your dog’s health and vitality, you may be wondering what kind of food is best for your canine. There are five types of dog food to choose from. Let’s take a look. 

1. Kibble or Dry Food

Dry food includes kibble, flake food, biscuits, and mixers. Kibble is a favorite among dog owners because it’s inexpensive compared to the other options. There are many dry dog food brands and each has different flavors and nutrition profiles. Some benefits of dry food include ease of storing, dental hygiene and long shelf life. It’s quick and easy to serve, but because there is so little moisture in kibble, you’ll need to keep a steady supply of water available. 

2. Moist Food

Canned dog food is moist and totally different from kibble. It’s a great alternative for puppies, older dogs and those with dental trouble since it requires little to no chewing. It should be noted that the high moisture content means less nutrition per serving. So, you’ll need to offer more feedings or larger servings to meet daily nutritional recommendations. Canned or pouch food has a fairly long shelf life and comes in a variety of flavors as well.  

3. Semi-Moist Food

This is the least nutritious food for your pet. There is usually a lot of fillers and artificial ingredients. Semi-moist food is soft kibble. It tends to be a little chewy and typically comes in pouches. More pet owners will use this for snacks or treats, not to fill daily dietary needs.  

4. Frozen or Freeze Dried Food

Raw dog food is probably the closest thing to what a dog would eat in the wild. It’s freeze-dried or frozen to prevent harmful bacteria from forming. This is one of the most nutritious options for your pup. It usually costs two to four times more than kibble, the cheapest choice. This option requires more attention to sanitization, however. Bowls and other utensils need to be washed with every use and leftovers must be properly stored. 

5. Your Food

Table food is another option. Depending on what you eat, this may be highly nutritious. Oils, salt, and sugars can pose a problem, in the long run, so you may choose to cook your dog’s food specifically for him. Feeding your dog home-cooked meals is great for getting rid of leftovers and keeping dog food costs down. 

 

Whatever type of food you think you want to go with, it’s always a good idea to check with your vet before finalizing your decision. When you know what your options are and understand their strengths and weaknesses, you are better equipped to be a better human to your beloved pooch.