Let’s discuss nutrition and diet. In most cases, before you bring your dog home the breeder or shelter will give you a small bag of the food to transition with that is the brand of the food your pup is currently eating. Transitioning your dog's food is completely optional and will require a bit of research on your part. There are a lot of brands out there and at first glance, they all sound great. The packaging is vibrant and catchy so it can be difficult to make a decision.Dog Food Advisor is a fantastic website that can aid in making the right choice. It rates every dog food currently on the market, provides a breakdown of the ingredients, and why it's rated the way it is.
The healthiest option is feeding a raw diet. It mimics that of the ancestral line. There are two raw forms available - frozen or freeze-dried. There are many options within those two categories. There are also a few dog food brands out there that offer raw coated kibble so the dogs are getting the benefits of the raw diet without owners having to deal with raw food itself. Feeding a raw diet can get pretty expensive if you have a larger dog but it's the healthiest option available. But feeding kibble is not bad for your dogs. My girls are fed Fromm’s dry dog food, and I add Stella and Chewy's Dinner Dust (a powdered raw meal topper); or a little of the Honest Kitchen meal mix to add those nutritional benefits of the raw food. This way I'm not breaking the bank.
If you are still unsure of the proper food to give your dog speak with your veterinarian or a salesperson at your local pet food store. They might not have all the answers but it can help point you in the right direction. Remember that it can sometimes take a while to find the right food for your pup, so be patient. Have a positive attitude about the process and enjoy the bonding experience of shopping together, sampling dog foods has for you and your pup.
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