Dog food: types of problems, which one is better, the producers

Specialized products for dogs - nutrients, designed to meet the physiological needs of the animal. Production of dog food has an industrial character.

Recipe food is made so that the pet is getting complex nutrients at every meal.

Types of dog food

Varieties of issuance:

• dry - balanced diet containing complex vitamins, fats, carbohydrates, proteins;
• semi-dry - with a content of propylene glycol, which prevents desiccation;
• wet (canned) - cooked food based products and 70-80% water;
• frozen - ground beef from natural ingredients of plant and animal origin.

Dry food is divided into classes in accordance with a quality source of raw materials used for production.

classes:

• economy;
• DC power supply;
• premium;
• super-premium;
• Holistic.

Kinds of canned food:

• for continuous feeding;
• delicacies (extensions).

Varieties by weight of packaging:

• to 1 kg;
• from 1.1 to 3 kg;
• from 3.1 to 7 kg;
• from 7.1 to 10 kg;
• 10 kg.

animal body requirements vary with age, so a separate classification:

• milk replacer;
• puppies;
• young;
• adults;
• elderly.

Power is divided into categories depending on the size of the breed:

• small;
• medium;
• large;
• giant.

series:

• for everyday use;
• treatment;
• lightweight;
• pregnant women;
• nursing;
• special.

Characteristics

feed type

Dry food economy class is made using raw materials of low sample. The structure includes waste from the food industry, soy, offal. Vitamins in the composition are missing, so the diet is enriched with additional vitamin complexes.

Mixtures for continuous supply comprise meat products, dyes, perfumes, elevated levels of salt. assimilation process is better compared to the economy class.

Premium class includes the same ingredients as the economy version with the addition of flavor and taste enhancers. There has been increased level of animal protein achieved by adding natural meat or offal.

The composition of the super-class consists of high quality ingredients of natural origin: eggs, meat, cereal products, nutritional supplements. The small amount of material present, poorly absorbed by the body.

Holistic - super-class that contains only the highest quality natural ingredients. The ingredients are selected carefully in order to get a balanced output with necessary substances and trace goods.

The structure includes:

• cereals;
• meat;
• probiotics that enhance the digestion process in the body.

Semi-dry food is made on the basis of the muscle tissue of fish and meat products. Storage is possible without the need for cooling. The composition contains milk, salt, phosphoric acid required for the full development of the organism.

Acid prolong the shelf life by slowing the rate of growth of bacteria. Propylene glycol is used as an antifungal and antibacterial agent that prevents drying.

Conventional canned DC power composed of vitamins, grain ingredients, soy, meat muscle tissue byproducts. Extruded soybeans becomes brown color that mimics meat, thanks to a special dye.

Delicacies (extensions) are produced using canned meat rare varieties, by-products, vegetables and fruits. In some species contain fats, proteins, contributes to obesity.

Frozen ground beef is made from natural ingredients:

• raw or offal subjected to heat treatment;
• cereals;
• vegetables;
• steamed bran;
• herbal supplements;
• dairy products;
• eggs.

Selected ingredients are ground, mixed, packed and preserved under the influence of low temperatures.

dog's age

Milk replacer is developed taking into account the growing needs of the organism and can be used from the first day of the birth of the puppy before the start of feeding (from two weeks of age). Dairy mixture promote rapid and proper development of pups.

The structure includes trace elements, vitamins, fatty acids, dairy proteins of natural origin, lactose, fructooligosaccharides. The quality substitutes are not used preservatives, starch, thickening agents.

Mixtures high in energy.

Foods for puppies (from 2 months to a year) and young dogs (1-2.5 years) contains a concentrated mixture substances (nutrients and minerals) required for the formation of the body, vitamins, proteins, calcium.

Product pellets are much smaller in comparison to the food for the adults, the puppy could chew them.

Food for adult animals (from 2.5 to 6-8 years) is divided into categories depending on the degree of activity of the pet:

• active - substances required is balanced with the account normal rhythm life;
• a highly - enriched in nutrients providing additional energy, vitamin E, proteins, amino acids;
• sedentary, prone to obesity - is easily digestible food;
• prone to allergies - a hypoallergenic diet.

Mixture for elderly individuals (of 6-8 years, depending on the breed) consists of 18% protein, 8-12% fat and increased volume carbohydrates. The composition contains minerals, vitamins, wheat bran, glucosamine, chondroitin.

Ingredients are selected in such a way that the food is easy to digest, not to burden functioning of internal organs.

size of the dog

The body of small breeds differs the accelerated metabolism. The diet does not contain barley, soybeans, corn - substances that increase the amount of food, but do not carry benefits.

Features of work and the size of the digestive system make it difficult to increase the volume and frequency of eating, so small portions must be concentrated maximum of useful substances.

Otherwise, the pet will get enough energy. Diet comprises trace elements, minerals, iron, copper, iodine, zinc, vitamins, fatty acids.

Medium breed different active lifestyle and mobility. The feed contains the right ratio of carbohydrates, fats and proteins that maintain energy balance. The fat content - not more than 18%.

Protein is composed of essential and nonessential amino acids. Strengthening of the joints, bones occurs due to vitamin D, phosphorus, calcium, glucosamine, chondroitin.

A mixture of large and giant dog provides active animal growth, containing vitamins A, D, minerals, antioxidants. Desirably the mineral content in the form of complex salts conducive to absorption of nutrients.

Balanced complex of vitamins and mineral ingredients support the immune system and the organism as a whole.

series feed

Purpose daily food for dogs, as well as at cat food - providing an animal daily norm of proteins, fats, carbohydrates, minerals, vitamins and nutrients.

The power components are so chosen that, when a small portion of the body receives a full range of nutrients.

The reasons for the appointment of a medical diet:

• heart diseases;
• renal failure;
• diseases of the urinary system;
• hypertension;
• diseases of the joints;
• obesity;
• metabolic disease;
• food allergy.

Lightweight food intended for sedentary pets are overweight or predisposition to be overweight. Feature is the high content of meat proteins which satisfy hunger.

Fats are found in moderate amounts in order to maintain the health of the hair and skin. The amount of carbohydrates is reduced to a minimum in order to control body weight.

A pregnant dog needs a balanced diet and a careful selection of high quality ingredients. The main feature of the diet - a high nutritional value and easy assimilation of food.

Components stimulate the proper formation of bones in puppies, the appearance of milk in the mother in sufficient quantities for feeding offspring.

As part of the always present rapidly digestible carbohydrates, highly concentrated proteins, amino acids.

The main components:

• meat (poultry, beef);
• rice, barley;
• fatty acid;
• grass;
• flax-seed;
• vitamin E.

Dogs in feeding puppies need food with high calorie content. During the feeding of milk varies, therefore carry out appropriate changes in diet. The more milk, the higher the calorie content.

The composition includes from 24 to 28% protein, micronutrients, vitamins, minerals, nutrients.

Reasons for inclusion in the diet of special food:

• digestive problems;
• overweight;
• the weakness of the joints;
• deterioration of the skin and fur;
• dental care;
• food allergies;
• increased immunity;
• Maintaining physical fitness.

Using a special feed to improve digestion is needed if the animal is observed diseases of the gastrointestinal tract: inflammatory bowel disease, pancreatitis, chronic diarrhea, gastritis.

The reduced amount of fat composition, the components are chosen with high energy, there are fatty acids, relieving inflammation.

Labradors, Collies, Beagles, fees - the breed, who noted a tendency to obesity. Reducing the volume of portions causes gastritis, problems with hair and skin, therefore a special diet for pets with excess weight - the only solution.

Problems with joints require the inclusion in the diet of special food, enriched with minerals, vitamins, in particular useful combination of chondroitin and glucosamine. The amount of carbohydrates is reduced.

Change in condition hair and skin pet shows a lack of minerals and vitamins in the diet. To return the animal to a healthy appearance, use the special food, easily absorbed by the body, enriched with fatty acids omega 3 and 6.

Dentifrice recommended special pet feed mixture which prevents tartar. Consisting of coarse fibers of vegetable origin, coating the teeth.

Unlike conventional feed, which crumbles in the mouth or the animal as soon as it is swallowed, a special fiber foods have to chew, thereby purifying the tooth enamel.

At the heart of a hypoallergenic product contains high quality natural ingredients: fish, lamb, vegetables, herbs. The composition does not use artificial colorants and additives.

Natural products often cause allergies, such as chicken, beef, turkey, soy, corn, wheat excluded from hypoallergenic.

Dog food for enhancing immune complex contains mineral nutrients, vitamins, minerals, natural products.

Improved immune function is due to an organism enrichment with vitamins A, C, D, F, B5, magnesium, calcium, iodine, iron, zinc.

In order to maintain the physical form of the diet should be present L-carnitine, stimulating the body's metabolism. The special formulation with high energy content contains 26% protein.

Improved palatability stimulate the pet's appetite. Easily digestible ingredients maintain an optimal weight.

Benefits

The dry mixture saves the time required for preparation of natural food. Each serving for feeding should be fresh - you need to regularly buy meat, vegetables and cereals, 2-3 times a day to prepare a new batch, add vitamins and minerals.

Dry food is used in a pure form and is immediately ready for consumption.

Advantages of dry food:

• balance;
• account of individual pupil's needs;
• medical series;
• teeth from plaque purification and stone, prevention of gum disease.

Due to the balance of the finished dried product is no need to count the number of nutrients, vitamins, proteins, in which the pet needs daily.

The composition includes a substance required in the correct ratio. If the animal refuses to eat vegetables in natural form, in a dry blend will not even notice their presence.

It produced a series of products with a different purpose: young people, adults and elderly individuals, therapeutic mixtures, goods in view of allergies in pets.

Medicinal properties provide an opportunity to abandon the failed attempts to feed pet medications. A carefully selected composition, intended for pupils with a particular disease, improves health.

The advantage of the semi-dry pet food is that in the presence of a large variety of healthy ingredients than dry food.

This is due to the possibility of long storage semi-dry dog ​​food, thanks to the presence of propylene glycol, corn syrup, phosphoric and hydrochloric acids in the composition.

For semi-dry food is characterized by easy digestion due to the content of carbohydrates.

The main plus of canned foods - convenience to use. The packaged mixture can be fed into the road and away from home, without the possibility of feeding the pet's dry food.

Canned have higher moisture, which reduces the need of the animal in the water. Assimilation wet food comes better and faster. High quality product looks nice and smells, causing appetite pet.

feed problems for dogs

Dry food is considered less tasty compared to the semi-dry and canned products.

Perhaps violation processing and drying procedures product ingredients, whereby they lose energy properties, deteriorates assimilation of nutrients.

manufacturing technology requires reduced levels of healthy fats in the composition. This affects the energy value of food. The dry mixture is stored less complicated digested and absorbed by the body.

A significant drawback of the dry product - an increased level of fiber. Together with hard digestibility it reduces the level of water that comes out of the body with the urine.

Such processes cause an increase in urine concentration and increase the risk of kidney stone disease.

However, the highest quality products are highly caloric, the right balance of fatty acids, fats, why do not cause health problems in pets.

Despite the fact that the main advantage of moist feed is the ability to use a large range of energy valuable products, to conserve and reduce the cost of goods often uses the same components as in the preparation of dry product.

Lack of canned food is the short shelf life after opening the can. Produced canned varieties, which differ in scope and intended for single feeding treatments (depending on the breed and weight of the pet).

Even in the highest quality canned marked imbalance in the ratio of phosphorus and calcium. If for a long period, the animal consumes in excess phosphorus and calcium in the body does not get the process of bone demineralization begins.

Other disadvantages:

• the defective part (the animal does not get the desired rate of mineral nutrients);
• due to the increased amount of water in one portion, reduced its energy value;
• soft consistency of the product contributes to the accelerated absorption - dog eats not;
• due to moisture-fed animals are not making efforts to chewing and jaw trains;
• using canned dental condition deteriorates in the daily diet.

In the frozen minced meat and other food in the form of semi-finished tangible benefits, except for an affordable price, are absent. Cooked minced no more natural than dry food.

Many manufacturers use meat and vegetable waste, so it is not recommended to use frozen feed especially for feeding puppies, pregnant animals or in the case of animal existing problems health.

How to choose

Among commercial mixtures suitable for daily use predominantly dry type food. Other species (canned moist food stuffing) used only occasionally as a supplement to the daily diet.

guided by the criteria when choosing a dry food:

• use of the product;
• age of the pet;
• the size;
• Lifestyle;
• class;

If your pet has no health problems, choose the simple option of food for daily feeding.

Specific blends have appropriate marks on the packages, through which is determined destination: Allergy, pets are overweight, improve digestion, and others.

Medicinal products shall be appointed only by a veterinarian and are used for a specific time period.

The age division is due to changes in the dog's body's needs as they grow older. Not recommended for use in the diet of older animals food for puppies, and vice versa, to feed an adult dog food for young birds.

In steps life pet needs in a specific amount of calcium, phosphorus, calories. It differs metabolic process in the body. Select the type of food, depending on the age of the dog. If there is any doubt on this issue, consult your veterinarian.

Dog breeds require individual approach in the selection of food. A significant criterion is the physical parameters of the animal, such as size. Food for a terrier, regardless of quality, is not suitable for dogs and vice versa.

Consider lifestyle when choosing a pet dry mixes for food.

If the animal leads an active life, used in the service, in sports or resides in motion, it needs a food that contains an increased concentration of vitamins and substances. Such mixtures are marked Energy / Active inscription.

It is advisable to use them for weak pupils who underwent stress, illness, pregnancy. If the calm behavior differs dog and physically inactive, it is suitable for this power feed Normal / Standart / Light.

The last type is designed for animals with overweight or prone to obesity due to an inactive lifestyle. Choosing canned wet food is complicated by the presence of numerous additives in the formulation.

Focus on the main criterion - the content of the meat in the product. Appearance and smell of food can be misleading, so it is important to examine the list of ingredients.

Variety of canned determined by the order of the ingredients: if in the first place in the list of meat, liver, meat and bone meal - a meat product type.

If the first in the list of specified components of plant origin (cereals, grasses, seeds), and meat ingredients mentioned only at the end of the list, then the mixture is preserved grain additives with a small amount meat.

Careful examination of ingredients provides the ability to calculate the nutritional value, look for ingredients that cause allergic reactions in pets.

Many dogs allergy symptoms appear when eating chicken, while the lamb is considered a hypoallergenic product. The canned beef meat-type level of at least 90%.

Choose a mixture of several kinds or one kind, depending on the animal's preferences and reaction of his body. Common canned meat, or mixtures thereof:

• chicken;
• lamb;
• turkey;
• beef;
• rabbit;
• venison.

Despite the fact that canned foods are not recommended as a daily diet, many manufacturers produce products for daily dog ​​food.

Information about the purpose of wet food (basic, additional, therapeutic) is indicated on the package / bank.

What is the best food for dogs

When you select a class of dry mix is ​​not recommended to save the animal's diet. Costly super-class products or Holistic if used consistently less expensive than the inexpensive fodder economy.

This is due to the energy value of food: a small portion of high-quality product is packaged cheap mixture of nutritional value and content of nutrients.

A balanced diet based on high-quality natural ingredients ensures the dog's health and prevent frequent trips to the vet.

Look for a product country of origin. For example, popular manufactured by dog ​​food in the US, but on the packaging of the brand indicates a completely different country.

This means that the production of dog food, though, and takes place on the basis of well-known brand license, but are engaged in this process by other people. There are cases where a license under the first class food produced economical products.

Examine the list of ingredients. Find the numbers that indicate the percentage of feed moisture. If the product positioned as the dry feed, and the humidity level is greater than 10%, this semi-dry food.

It's heavier weight due to fluid, so more expensive. If you are going to feed your pet dry food, then it makes no sense to overpay.

It is recommended to buy ready-made dry mix in with a positive reputation stores. It is important to buy the entire sealed packages, instead of food by weight.

If the food is intended for small breeds and a large bag of the product is not suitable, then stop the choice on the stern of a lesser pack, instead of taking the same amount weighed mixture.

Storage conditions have a significant impact on the quality of the product, so there is no guarantee that an open packing stored at the right temperature and the right level of humidity.

In addition, unscrupulous sellers are replaced by high-quality low-grade animal feed or withheld the date of opening the package.

If the list contains names such as sodium nitrate, butylate hydroxyanisole and other chemical terms, such a food refers to a second-class goods economy class. The content of food dyes adversely affects the dog's immune function of the body.

If the above product information is on the package, or it can not be read by this product should be discontinued immediately. Manufacturers who are worried about their reputation, quality of products, to alert consumers about the composition and characteristics of the feed.

When buying canned food be sure to look at the date of issuance and expiration date. Even if the product is more suitable for use, but the shelf life will expire in the near future, it is better to abandon this product.

Pay attention to the condition of the bank / product packaging. Presence of deformation, blistering, rust, missing or unreadable labels on the packaging - good reasons for refusing to purchase canned food.

Qualitative wet food package is sealed, there are no stains on the tracks and the package is damaged.

When buying a dog mince carefully look at the expiration date. The manufacturer may pay little attention to this issue, especially if semi-finished product is delivered in a vacuum, and in conventional packaging.

Distinguish the quality of fresh minced unusable can be in appearance. Signs of poor overdue product - an unpleasant odor uncharacteristic color mold.

How to feed the dog

Once a puppy from a breeder brought or taken from a shelter, for everyday feeding uses the same food, which he ate earlier. This is done in order to prevent digestive problems, which is not desirable, given the psychological stress puppy.

Immunity at this age is not stable enough, so excessive overload harm. After 2-3 days, the puppy begins transfer to new feeds. This process takes at least 3-4 days by adding a new type of feed to the usual diet.

For everyday feeding of puppy it is important to pick first-class food and higher premium class. Full-power has a weighty significance at this stage of growth and development of the dog.

When calculating the necessary daily requirement of dry food, consider the size, age, lifestyle, pet.

The amendment to the class of product as the economy and premium feed have different energy content, respectively, less nutritional product required to feed more to the saturation of the organism useful substances.

Calculation of daily requirement of the size of your pet:

The daily rate is divided into 2-3 meals.

• minor - 150-300 g (premium), 300-400 g (economy);
• Middle - 300-400 g (premium), 400-600 g (economy);
• major - 400-600 g (premium), 600-800 g (economy).

The volume of the dog's daily diet changes if it conducts a specific lifestyle or is in an unusual condition:

• Pregnant, nursing offspring - increase in the rate of 25%;
• Working (dog used for the purpose of conservation, hunting, taking part in exhibitions and competitions) - increase in the rate of 30%;
• sedentary, elderly - fall in the rate of 20-25%.

Puppies feed on other calculations as they develop quickly, growing and need more food:

• Small breed - 200-450 g (premium), 450-600 g (economy);
• average breed - 450-600 g (premium), 600-900 g (economy);
• large breed - 600-900 g (premium), 900-1200 g (economy).

Food intake frequency, depending on the age of the dog:

• 1-2 months - 5-6 times;
• 2-3 months - 4-5 times;
• 3-5 months - 3-4 times;
• 5-6 months - 3-2 times;
• after six months - 2 times.

Canned wet food is not recommended for daily dog ​​food. Increased moisture level contributes to a partial reduction in the nutritional food - pet food slowly saturated.

Add canned in the daily diet in combination with dry food (ratio 1: 1). Delicacies are canned dog in a small amount (not more than 10% of the daily food volume) as an additional product.

Feed your pet medical canned strictly on prescription of a veterinarian and instructions. Their dosage is subject to careful calculation.

Industrial canned food and feed is the full list of ingredients is not always possible to know what is in the frozen semi-finished product. Pork and meat products are fed to the animal only after the mandatory heat treatment.

Before giving the food a dog, boil beef, in order to avoid food poisoning. Before processing the mixture carefully study the presence of third-party components (claws of birds, seed).

Feeding recommendations:

• If you use ready-made dry mix for daily food do not let the animal is nothing but food and water in sufficient quantity. Only use fresh, purified water.

The dog should have access to it and use the clock to 3 times more in comparison with the dry food.

• Do not continue to use the product if it seems tasteless dog (does not cause appetite) or gets cause indigestion, improper stools, changes in skin, fur, allergic reactions.

Dogs suffer from intolerance to certain foods.

• If the food is suitable animal experiments do not arrange meals and do not change the brand of the product. Such changes have a negative impact on digestion and well-being of dogs, because over time the body gets used to the absorption of specific substances.
• To add variety to the "dry" diet, add canned foods to the diet by choosing products manufacturer, which feed use for everyday feeding.
• When you consider the dosage servings recommended nutritional standards or instructions on the packaging with the food, where the calculation of food can be specified depending on the weight of the pet.
• Choose one type of feeding (dry food or natural food) and stick it in the future. It is strictly forbidden to mix the two types.

Manufacturers of dog food

1^st Choice - firm specializing in the manufacture of products for dogs and cats. The products differ in the content of high-quality components, the absence of by-products, soy, wheat.

In the production of feed used natural flavors and preservatives. Food promotes natural tooth brushing, strengthens immunity, improve coat conditions. Decreases odor of feces and urine.

Assortment of dog food include:

• Foods for puppies (decorative, small, miniature, medium, large breeds of animals with sensitive skin and coat);
• food for adults (decorative, small, miniature, medium, large breed dogs with sensitive hair and skin allergies are prone to obesity);
• Dry mixes for older animals (small, tiny, medium, large breeds, pets with sensitive skin and hair).

ACANA It specializes in the production of food for dogs and cats based on natural ingredients.

The composition of feed includes an extensive range of meat components, a variety of vegetables and fruits, phytochemicals designed to strengthen the body's health and well-being of the dog.

Distinctive features of the diet - reduced dose of carbohydrates, saturation meat proteins.

Range:

• ACANA HERITAGE - a series of food for dogs of all ages, sizes, breeds taking into account the way of life;
• ACANA SINGLES - series of universal food for dogs of all breeds and ages on the basis of various types of meat products;
• ACANA REGIONALS - series of universal feed bezzernovoy on the basis of fast utilizable high in animal protein;
• ACANA ORIGEN - a series of products for animals of all ages with a high content of meat and fish;
• goodies ACANA ORIGEN - a series of treats for dogs with a unique composition based on venison, wild boar, duck, lamb.

Eukanuba - manufacturer of products for dogs, which specializes in the manufacture of feeds with high quality animal protein. source of protein are the only meats (chicken and lamb) without the use of vegetables.

Products include veterinary diets, special food for particular breeds, ages, sizes, taking into account the dog's activity level and sensitivity to the ingredients.

Hills produces first-class dry mixture for dogs and cats. The main components of foods are meats (chicken, turkey, lamb) and cereals (rice).

The range includes:

• Science Plan - Full-balanced nutrition to maintain a healthy and active life of the animal, regardless of age;
• Presciption Diet - therapeutic food intended for feeding dogs with detection of diseases of various kinds.

Orijen produces food for dogs and cats, focusing on the main needs of animals. Dog food is different improved digestibility, high in fresh, natural meat and fish products.

Feature products - a high protein content, up to 15 different components of meat, a natural source of glucosamine and chondroitin, prevention of obesity and diabetes in dogs.

Pro Pac - firm, produces a balanced pet food for dogs of different ages, sizes, breeds, special mixtures. In order to facilitate the transition from one type of food to another, the same basic components used in the products:

• chicken;
• brown rice;
• lamb;
• fruits and vegetables.

Profine engaged in the production of food for dogs and cats. At the core of products containing 60-70% hypoallergenic easily digestible ingredients - different kinds of meat and vegetables (potatoes, tomatoes, chicken, turkey, salmon, lamb).

Purpose:

• puppies, young dogs;
• adults;
• the elderly;
• taking into account the size of the breed;
• Available;
• for animals with increased activity;
• the fight against obesity.

Purina manufactures food for cats and dogs under several brands. based product is the meat and products of animal origin, fish (protein source), vegetables, soy, vitamins, amino acids, minerals, cereals, fatty acids.

brands:

• ProPlan;
• ProPlan Veterinary Diets;
• ONE;
• DogChow;

Royal Canin the design formulas for forage based on the exact dosage and energy value Registered ingredients. High-quality products maintain the dog's health, dental health, skin and coat.

Dog foods have higher nutritional value. The range of companies represented feed for animals of different breeds, ages, sizes:

• daily food for puppies;
• daily food for adult dogs;
• veterinary diets.