It’s hard to imagine a dog not liking its super-premium, meat-first, top-dollar, fancy uber super dog food as anyone who owns a dog knows that they’re programmed to eat some pretty disgusting stuff (cat feces, garbage, dead animals).
Pickiness at mealtimes is a common problem for pet owners and a major source of anxiety when choosing dog food. This post was created with support from our friends at Zignature for you if you have ever stood in amazement, gazing down a row of dog food, unsure which bag to take home for your dog next.
A nourishing, species-appropriate food must be provided. But if your dog won’t eat anything, it doesn’t matter what’s in his dish, right?
Dish toppers and gravies can improve the appeal of a meal, but if handled improperly, they might introduce potential allergies in dogs who are sensitive to certain foods or add extra calories. Therefore, it’s crucial to choose a diet that is not only wholesome, balanced, and suitable for your dog, but also delicious.
Why Is Specialty Dog Food Required for Dogs?
Many individuals wonder why dogs must consume dog food, which some may find strange. Why can’t they just dine with their human companions? They are omnivores after all, much like us. There are several good reasons to feed your dog dog food made for their species:
Weight management
Dogs should consume between 25–30 calories per pound of body weight to maintain their weight. A 10-pound Chihuahua should therefore ingest 250–300 calories daily. A 70-pound lab mix would eat 1,750–2,100 calories daily, or about the same as a human. Dog food gives them their daily caloric needs as long as you measure the amount you give them.
Vitamins and minerals
Dogs have specific nutritional needs that can only be satisfied by the food they eat. Like humans, dogs eat to obtain essential vitamins and minerals. And their needs are very different from ours. For example, dogs need taurine in their diets to maintain their vision and heart function.
Nutritional well-being
Nutritional deficits can lead to malnutrition and obesity. The best way to maintain optimum nutrition in your dog is to provide him a balanced diet made specifically for dogs that is species-appropriate.
Digestion
Finally, dogs could have trouble digesting food that wasn’t made for them. It is possible for issues to range from minor—like stinky toots—to severe—like vomiting and diarrhea or worse. Sometimes “human food” can be lethal to dogs. Therefore, make sure it’s okay for them to eat with a fork before you feed your pet.
Making the Right Food Choices
Now that you know your dog needs a delicious diet that is species-appropriate, Zignature advises searching for food that:
- Is designed for rotational feeding,
- Offers a wide variety of formulas from which you can choose one or more that your dog prefers
- Has minimal ingredients to meet nutritional requirements.
- Uses beef as the first component and high-quality ingredients
- It offers snacks, wet food, and dry food.