Good Furrenting: A Quick Guide to Dog Food Types

Dog food shouldn't be so complicated because it doesn't come in as many shapes, sizes, and flavors as human food does. Still, when it comes to choosing the right type of food and diet for your doggo, a quick stroll down the pet food aisle of a supermarket can be a lot to take in. At least when it comes to your food, you know what you want and what you have promised to avoid at all costs since you were little. When it's for your furbaby, it's an entirely different story. So, we've rounded up the three main types of dog food to help you understand their differences as you struggle to pick the fur-fect food for your borking babies.

Dry Food

There are a number of reasons why owners opt for this dog food, which has low moisture content and contains just around 11% of water. The first is that it lasts longer than the others, the second is that it's easier to store because it doesn't need to be refrigerated, and the third is that dry dog food helps in preventing tartar buildup and secondary periodontal or gum disease. Additionally, dry dog food is probably the easiest type to portion and serve as it requires no cooking, unthawing, or any other complicated preparation, unless, of course, you're making your own homemade dog food recipe that includes kibble.

This type usually comes in multiple flavors and specific mixtures for all stages of a dog's development. And aside from kibble, dry dog food also includes flaked cereals and biscuits.

As for the ingredients, it's usually made of ground-up ingredients, including meat, grains, legumes, vegetables, and fruits.

Wet Food

Wet dog food is probably a more palatable option than dry food for your furbaby.

Unlike the first type, this comes with more water and moisture content, more protein and fat, but lesser carbohydrates. Its water content can help your pup maintain hydration, making it easier for you to cover your furbaby's fluid requirements. It usually comes in meatloaf form, chunks in jelly, or chunks in gravy, so it is sealed in air-tight packaging (cans and pouches). This one's more flavorful, too, when compared to dry food. However, while dogs may be attracted to the smell of wet food, most dog owners find it too strong and unappealing. 

This is a paw-ntastic choice if your pet has an oral disease and has difficulty chewing. It's also appropriate for senior dogs because of its texture and for those that need to reduce weight as it creates a longer-lasting feeling of being 'full.' If your pet's none of these but is a picky eater, this still makes a good diet. 

Basically, wet or moist dog food packs a punch in terms of benefits for your dog compared to dry food, but dry food is more purr-ific when it comes to the owner's concerns in price, cleanliness, and convenience. Wet food's long shelf-life is only ensured by air-tight packaging and temperatures during canning, but it can quickly go bad once opened due to high moisture content and lack of preservatives.

Semi-Moist Food

Semi-moist dog food is not as popular as other types. It contains a range of 20% to 70% moisture, which puts it somewhere in between dry food and wet food. Due to its moisture level, it has this unique texture that makes it soft but not wet.

Food of this type is known to be the least nutritional of all as it contains artificial flavors, colors, and preservatives. It also consists of higher levels of salt and sugar. So, since they are less nutritional than the others we've already mentioned, it may be a paw-some occasional treat rather than something to incorporate into your pup's diet.

Aaand those are the three main types of dog food. Still undecided? Well, just keep in mind that not all dog food is created equal, so be sure to do some more research and consider your pet's age, body condition, medical problems, nutritional needs, and even breed. Also, always check the ingredients label to compare the healthier option for your four-legged furbabies.

If you've settled with any of the first three, here's a list of a few tips to keep in mind when decoding dog food ingredients and nutrition labels:

1. Each ingredient should be named.

2. Check the protein and fat levels.

3. Check the first five listed ingredients, also known as the most important ingredients of dog food. It should include rendered meat and animal proteins and meals that are, again, named.

4. Avoid ingredients with the word "by-product" and "derivatives" in them.

5. Avoid generic fat sources.

Before transitioning to a new diet, don't forget to seek assistance. Talk to your veterinarian about it and let them walk you through the benefits and risks.

Looking for options na high-quality at sulit? Check out Pedigree on Shopee now or visit their website at https://www.pedigree.com.ph/ for quality dry food for puppies, small dogs, and adult ones, as well as wet food options.