Of all the common pet foods, which is the best? I am using Science Diet because my vet sells it, but I am open to change…
Well, that’s a loaded question. There are just as many answers as there are dogs who eat!
Depending on your particular dog’s breed, age, health issues, etc. there may be a number of different foods you may want to look at. However, one way to start is to educate yourself on what a dog’s nutrient needs are, and what really is in commercial dog food.
Excellent sources of information: The Whole Dog Journal reviews the best dog foods available once a year. As this magazine doesn’t take advertisements, they offer a totally unbiased view, based on nutritional needs. here’s their web site: http://www.whole-dog-journal.com/ — even if you are not a subscriber, you can purchase back issues or even single articles — check out their reviews; as well, they also tell you just what to look for in a quality food.
Another good site is the Dog Food Project: http://www.dogfoodproject.com/
You will find a lot of really good information there on nutritional needs; they also have ingredient listings of all of the available dog foods.
Generally, however, you want to look for a food with the least amount of additives and preservatives; one with real meat within the first two ingredients, and without corn. Dogs can’t metabolize corn well — manufacturers use it because it’s cheap and filling. However, it goes right through them, usually, and they can’t absorb any nutrients from it. That’s why you will notice that instructions on dog food with corn in it recommend feeding far more of it than dog foods without corn.
A higher quality food may cost more in the beginning, but your dog will eat a lot less of it, because it’s more biologically available to them.
