How to Choose the Best Food for Your Dog

There's no denying pet owners love their dogs and want what's best for them. They take their dogs to the vet, get their coats groomed, and walk and play with them. But a shocking 70% of owners don't know what's in their dog's food. If you truly want what's best for your pooch, you have to make sure you're feeding him or her the best dog food.

The right food will keep your dog's coat shiny and sleek, strengthen his immune system, and keep his digestive system in good health. You wouldn't eat something without knowing what's in it, so you shouldn't feed your dog any old food without knowing if it's good for him or her. Here's how pet parents can choose the best food for their dogs.

Take into account your dog's age, breed, and activity level

You'll want to consider your dog's physical characteristics and overall health the same way you take your own into consideration before eating anything. If your dog is extremely active, he or she will need food that provides more calories. Older or less active dogs require fewer calories. Small-breed dogs should have kibble designed for their size.

Your dog also needs a certain amount of protein depending on his or her physical characteristics. Puppies need more protein so they can continue to grow. Research your pooch's characteristics and see how much protein, fat, and carbohydrates he or she will need.

Read the label

You might be used to just reading the big words on the front of the dog food package, but you'll want to start getting accustomed to checking out the detailed label. Learn how to read the label and understand what it means. Ingredients are listed by weight, so items with more moisture will end up at the top.

You'll also want to look for a nutritional adequacy statement, which will give you a better idea of who the food is designed for. The label might state it's great for dogs of all ages or just for adult dogs. If it's the latter, you wouldn't want to give this food to a puppy.

Consult with your dog's veterinarian

Your dog's veterinarian knows a great deal about your pet and will know which foods will best suit him or her. If you're really not sure where to start, consult with the vet and see what he or she thinks would be best for your furry family member. If your pooch is suffering from an upset stomach due to poor nutrition, make sure you have the best pet insurance.

With pet insurance, you can ensure your costs are covered if your pet becomes ill or injured. A chronic digestive condition could require frequent vet visits and pet insurance will give you the peace of mind to know your pup can receive care no matter what. Compare Pet Insurance with iSelect and find the best option for you and your dog.

Monitor your pet's reactions to the foods you try

When you're trying to find the right dog food, it's inevitable that your pet will try a few that don't agree with her. Make sure you're monitoring your pup's reactions. Keeping an eye on his or her poop will help you know which food is and isn't working. Warning signs to look out for are constipation, diarrhea, and undigested food.

While it's good to keep an eye on your pet's poop, it's best to leave the dirty work to the professionals. A dog poop yard cleaning service will clean up your yard and prevent you or your family from being exposed to unhealthy dog poo. The professionals easily handle pet waste cleanup and disposal. This can be especially important when your dog is having trouble with his or her current food. Keep an eye on how your pooch is doing, then call the professionals to handle clean up.

Don't underestimate the importance of your pet's food. Start to scrutinize what you're feeding her and how well the food is being digestive. With the right nutrition, your pup can live a long and happy life.