Professional dog food – how to choose the right one

What is professional dog food

The difference between “professional” dog food and “non-professional” food is, first of all, that only high-quality products are used in its production, and the food for a four-legged friend belongs to the “premium” and higher class. In addition, premium food is divided into types depending on the period of life or the characteristics of the dog: for puppies, for adults, for pregnant and lactating bitches, for neutered males, for active dogs, etc. This is logical and correct, as the balance of the diet is different for different dogs and their conditions.

Ready-made professional feeds owe their appearance to the “union” of veterinarians and nutritionists. There was a need to create a balanced diet, not only for the health and performance of the dog itself, but also to ensure the health of future offspring.

What is the difference between premium food and regular food

All ready-made feeds are divided into classes:

• Economy. Usually, the composition of such feed includes a limited set of trace elements and does not include vitamins. For a dog with a full plate of dry food to provide the dog with everything necessary, supplements and multivitamin complexes or baits are required. The products from which economy feeds are prepared are most likely not of high quality.
• Premium Feeds are distinguished by higher quality raw materials and a high content of animal protein. At the same time, you should not expect that the protein is added by “clean meat”, most likely, these are fresh and clean offal and waste.
• Premium plus (Improved quality). As a rule, it contains more essential minerals and vitamins.
• Super-Premium. Natural products are used as raw materials for such feed: meat, eggs, cereals, vegetables and various additives. A diet of this class, correctly selected by type, does not need to be supplemented. There are vitamins, trace elements and the right set of amino acids.
• Holistic. It contains all the advantages of Super-Premium food, in addition it can have a therapeutic effect (for example, for dogs with diseases of the genitourinary system, for the treatment of obesity, for recovery after surgery, rehabilitation after a tick bite, etc.). Veterinarians say that the products from which the holistic is prepared are so high in quality that the food is suitable for human consumption.

How much does professional dog food cost?

This is not to say that professional food is much more expensive than usual. You will not spend much more, but you will benefit your dog, of course, if you choose a conscientious seller without unnecessary markups and fakes.

And what’s inside?

Here, the features characteristic of dogs of different periods of life (which we wrote about above), different breeds, sizes, etc. come into play. Many manufacturers even produce food for one breed separately.

The composition of professional food is entirely tied to the balance of nutrients, that is, proteins, fats and carbohydrates; as well as trace elements that are necessary for a full life, work, development of any dog.

Proteins

Since our beloved dogs are predators by nature, one of the most important elements for them is animal protein, which is found in large quantities in meat and fish. It is animal, not vegetable, protein that contains 10 amino acids that cannot be synthesized by the body. And it is these 10 acids that are vital for all predators. In addition, animal protein is absorbed almost completely.

Fats

Fats are also indispensable, they are fuel for the body. Fats are a source of energy, help to absorb vitamins, participate in the process of appetite control, help thermoregulation, and perform some other vital functions for the body of dogs (however, like other living organisms).

By the way, to regulate the amount of fat in the process of metabolism, carbohydrates help the dog.

Carbohydrates

Nutritionists argue about these substances. However, they should not be neglected, and premium feed manufacturers know this.

The content of carbohydrates in food is very dependent on the lifestyle of the dog. And this is another plus in favor of the decision to buy professional dog food. It is only worth noting that special feeds with a high content of cereals (mainly, an increased content of carbohydrates is achieved with their help) are not suitable for animals prone to food allergies.

Other elements

Dogs need vitamins and minerals just as much as humans. Be sure to make sure that your pet’s food contains everything it needs, that it is balanced and fortified with vitamins. If this is not the case, develop a system of nutritional supplements and vitamins, with the help of a veterinarian, if you want to prolong your dog’s life and not ruin his health.

How to choose the right prepared food

Today, the pet food market has a huge amount of balanced feeds and nutritional complexes, positioned as a professional diet. A large selection is not bad, but it is easy to get confused and confused in the assortment.

Sometimes you can hear: “This one is the best, this one is also okay, but this one is not suitable.” Of course, if the veterinarian insists that it is better not to take something, all the more, based on the individual characteristics of your animal, it is better to listen to him. But when choosing food from the “good” list, still try not to blindly believe in ratings, charts and advertising, which often imposes opinions on us without our desire. Opinion from the outside is great, but your friend’s pet may not look like yours at all.

Rating of finished feed of different classes

In different sources, there are different “TOPs” and “Ratings” of professional pet food. We are not sobaka morkovka, we will argue that they cannot be trusted, but before making a decision, make sure that this is not just advertising.

Here is one of the ratings of the best brands of dry food for dogs of different classes, approved by veterinarians (based on the results of 2016):

Economy class

• Pedigree – Hungary, USA
• Chappi – Russia, USA
• ARO — Ukraine
• Darling — Hungary, France

Premium class

• Purina (Dog Chow, Pro Plan series) – France
• Advance — Italy
• Brit (Premium series) — Czech Republic
• Nutra Nuggets – USA
• Bozita — Sweden

Premium plus class

• Royal Canin – Russia, Poland, France
• Hills – USA, Netherlands
• Pronature Original — Canada
• Nutra Gold – USA
• Happy dog ​​— Germany
• Eukanuba – Canada
• Josera from Germany
• ANF ​​- USA
• Diamond – USA
• Brit Care — Czech Republic

Super Premium Class

• Bosch – Germany (yes, great dog food too)
• Almo Nature – Italy
• Nutra Gold – USA
• Artemis – USA
• Belcando — Germany
• 1st Choice — Canada
• Arden Grange — England
• Eagle Pack – USA

Holistic class

• Hills – USA, Netherlands
• Acana is Canada
• Origin — Canada
• Pronature Holistic — Canada
• Taste of the Wild — США
• Wellness – USA
• Chicken Soup – USA
• NOW! — USA
• GO! — USA
• Canidae — США
• Innova – USA

The list is, of course, not complete. Existing brands are releasing updated lines, and new firms are entering the market, which are also quite worthy of attention.

Approach the choice of dog food individually. Talk to a veterinarian or dog handler at your kennel club or other professional community, and consider the dog’s age, size, activity, breed, allergy susceptibility, and health status. Perhaps you need not just professional, but specific medical food. Remember, also, that a reliable manufacturer will not hide the composition of the feed.