Just like humans, nutrition is one of the most basic needs of a dog. Not only does proper nutrition help your dog remain healthy, but it also ensures that your dog is well energized at all times. 

So, how do you select the best food for your dog? The truth is that there are no definite answers to this question. You will have to consider your dog’s habit and needs in a bid to get your hands on formidable dog food. 

While it is important to first consider the state of your dog before buying dog food, there are myriads of choices to pick from. This, coupled with different opinions from vets as well as manufacturers make it quite difficult for dog owners to pick the perfect dog food. 

Even so, ensure that the dog food you choose contains all the basic nutrients. Apart from giving you tips on how to choose the best dog food, this article will also help know the signs that you’re feeding your dog the wrong food. 

Know The Basic Nutritional Choices

Before you hit the market for dog food, be sure to educate yourself on the basic nutritional choices that are important for your canine friend. You can either get this information online or better yet consult your vet.

Basically, ideal dog food should contain all the necessary nutritional elements. However, the food should be high in proteins and carbs such as the Purina Pro Plan Puppy Lamb And Rice dog dry food. On the other hand, the food should contain fewer fats. 

Consider Your Dog’s Level Of Activity

The level of your dog’s activity goes a long way in determining the dog food to choose. Remember that an active dog will often engage in numerous physical activities such as play. Due to this, it will tend to burn more calories than a dog with low activity levels. 

If your dog is highly active, you might want to consider a diet that is dense in nutrients. On the other hand, you should always pick dog food for weight management if your dog is less active. 

Consider The Size of Your Dog

When it comes to the size of your dog, it’s always important to remember that different dogs thrive in different specially formulated diets. 

Large dog breeds, for example, have been known to benefit tremendously from diets formulated by glucosamine. This is because glucosamine is essential for supporting healthy joints.  

Consider Your Dog’s Age

Just like humans, dogs require different nutritional supplies at different stages of their lives. So, in a bid to ensure that your dog gets all the nutrients required, you should consider your dog’s life stage before picking a dog food. 

If, for example, you are in the hunt for puppy food, ensure that the diet is packed with proteins to help in supporting your puppies growing muscles. 

On the other hand, if your canine friend is a senior, you should consider going for a senior formula, or better yet, a specialized formula that will not only help your senior dog maintain an ideal weight but ensure that your dog’s nutritional needs are sufficiently met. 

Signs That You Are Feeding Your Dog The Wrong Food

While your dog could be your best friend, trying to determine whether the food you give him can be quite daunting. What signs indicate that you should change your dog diet? Read along to find out. 

1. Gas

Breaking wind, passing gas, etc. Whatever you call it, once you smell or hear your dog passing gas in a more frequent manner, chances are that you are feeding him the wrong food. Although there are other cardinal signs of knowing that you are feeding your dog the wrong food, passing gas abnormally is by far the best sign that the diet is wrong. 

2. Condition of the Coat

If your dog has a dry coat or minute flakes on the fur, you probably might think that your dog needs a bath. However, this could not be the case. Chances are that the food you feed your dog does not provide sufficient nutrients required to promote an ideal coat. 

3. Stools

Is your dog pooping at a much higher rate than normal? Are the stools liquid unlike the normal dog stool? Well, if this is what you’re noticing on your dog, then your dog has digestive complications.

While it may not be definitive that the cause of the problem is the food, there is a likelihood that you are feeding your dog the wrong food. Otherwise, if your dog is an adult, it should be able to defecate once or twice a day. Additionally, the stool should be solid and well-formed.