Dry dog food: everything you need to know

When adopting a dog, it is essential to research the most suitable and balanced diet to follow. The quality of the ingredients and the right caloric intake are fundamental to their well-being.

The right diet should be established based on several factors: age, sex, physical condition, size, health issues…

You must absolutely not overlook the repercussions that an incorrect diet can have on your dog's health.

Dog food is generally distinguished by the percentage of moisture contained within the food into:

• dry food
• wet food

Depending on the dog's habits and needs, one can opt for a mixed diet or an exclusive diet, either only dry or only wet.
Today we will look at the dry food category, which includes all those foods with a moisture content of 14% or less.

Dry Food - everything you need to know

Dry dog food generally consists of kibble. The variety of dog kibble on the market is now vast:
- for puppies or adults;
- for sterilized dogs;
- for small, medium, or large breeds;
- gluten-free…
Each type of product is designed to meet every need that a dog might have.

How to choose kibble
Quality

Food for your 4-legged friend is certainly not something to skimp on, so the first piece of advice is not to choose the product based on price.
When choosing to provide an industrial diet for your dog and deciding which dry food to buy, it is important to start with your dog's needs.
If you are still undecided about choosing between an industrial or homemade diet for your dog, also read our article: instructions for lick-your-chops meals.
To do a good job in selecting the right food, you will need to take into account:

• age, choosing between puppy or adult kibble;
• size;
• any specific needs the dog may have.

On our site, you will find many search filters with all the main physical and/or pathological characteristics, specifically to allow you to immediately find the right food for your dog. Want to try it? Follow the link

To find the right food, it is also important to check the nutritional values of the product, indicated on the label on the back of the package.
Labels that provide a lot of information about kibble are not always easy to read, so it is important to learn how to read them.
First of all, when consulting the ingredients, you must take into account that the individual raw materials in the list are listed in descending order by quantity. It is important to choose products with quality ingredients and read the contained percentages carefully.
It is essential that, instead of grains, animal proteins—the greatest source of nourishment, rich in protein—are in the first positions. Meat must be in first place, as it is the dog's main source of nourishment, given that they are clearly a carnivore, but also because it is more easily assimilated by the body. Fish is also an excellent ingredient to choose, rich in omega-3 and antioxidants, and also excellent for coat health. Certainly, avoid products with artificial preservatives, thickeners, additives, and flavorings.

Quantity

The amount of kibble to give your dog is absolutely not a negligible detail. In fact, it is crucial to determine the right amount that our 4-legged friend needs. Even if the quality of the product is excellent, an incorrect intake, whether in excess or deficiency, could cause serious imbalances in the dog, from obesity to malnutrition.
The necessary amount, based on weight, is often indicated on the packaging of higher-quality products, which, along with the instructions from your veterinarian, can help you choose the right food intake.