Feeding is just about the most basic and obvious tasks for a dog owner. Yet, it’s often the one task that confuses us more than any other. There are literally hundreds of options for your pet which can lead to a frankly confusing decision making process. So let’s get some basics in first and then see where to go from there.
In general, the food you are feeding your dog is good enough if:
His or her coat is healthy with limited hairfall and dry skin
He or she shows an appetite for food and eats when fed
His or her weight seems to be balanced and stable
Your dog poops regularly with properly formed, non-sticky or mushy, err, droppings.
Now we know that this is pretty simple stuff, but if your dog food works for your dog then it is pretty simple. However, we know how much you love your little mutts, so read on for some more detailed information.
This is, simply, the easiest way to feed your dog. Dry food or kibble is available in different pack sizes and is really easy to use. You can simply fill up your dog’s bowl and let them eat at their own pace - it doesn’t go bad quickly and storage is equally simple. Kibble is also useful because it tends to be quite homogenous - meaning you tend to know exactly how much your dog ate. Keeping track in this way means that you know what energy levels to expect from your pet and everything is sort of stable and cool. Dry food also costs less, so for owners on a budget - it’s the smart and simple option.
While being homogeneous is a good thing, it can also be a bad thing for your pet. Homogenous food is not necessarily tasty, especially when repeated day in and day out. Your pet, like you, may prefer variety every now and then, so that’s something to keep in mind.
Wet or canned food is often tastier for dogs as it has food that is closer to its original form. Wet food also has good texture as there are chunky and soft bits mixed in together. This is a preferred form of food for dogs who are older and may struggle to chew on kibble without suffering pain or discomfort.
Wet food tends to be a bit more nutritious with less carbs and more protein. Remember, this is a generalization and does not apply to every single product - you still should do your research with the nutrition information label on the stuff you buy. Wet food is also more filling as it has a higher moisture content - something that makes it bulkier. However, wet food is closer to human food, so the same constraints apply. Open cans need to be refrigerated. Your dog’s bowl should be cleaned often to remove old and stale food. Wet food does not allow for extended eating hours, something that some dogs prefer. And of course, there’s the nasty can opening business that some of us don’t exactly love.
If we had a dollar for each time we were asked to choose between wet and dry food, we’d be relaxing on a beach in the Bahamas living off our riches! The simple fact is, there is no simple answer.
Ideally, we at Barkloudly recommend a mixed diet of wet and dry food that you can feed your dogs across a given time period. Mixing up their nutrition is helpful in keeping them healthy, interested in eating and generally in good shape. Perhaps for the working dog owner, it’s good to do dry food on the weekdays and wet food on the weekends. One can also mix it up with the many dog treat options that are on the market, sticking to the healthier ones. Remember, the points we made at the beginning are valid for every dog. Poop quality matters! If your dog is healthy, happy and energetic, you’re most likely doing a good job!
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