Modern pet owners increasingly prefer dry dog food. This type of nutrition is gaining increasing popularity. What is the reason for this trend, is it worth believing the advertising and how to choose the most suitable food for your four-legged friend from a huge number of brands?
Dog owners are divided into two camps - the first is in favor of industrial food, and the second believes that this food is not suitable for their pet. It’s difficult to decide who is right, but you can consider the positive and negative aspects of ready-made diets:
The main advantages include the following:
- High-quality food includes an optimal ratio of protein, fat and carbohydrate elements.
- You can purchase a product that is suitable for your age, build, health characteristics, etc.
- By eating dry food, the pet simultaneously prevents tartar.
- Manufacturers have already calculated the daily portion of food; the owner can only adapt it to the dog’s weight.
- The highest quality feed includes useful micro- and macroelements.
Huge advantages for owners - dry food is stored well, does not require cooking, and the pet’s bowl is always clean.
The following are considered disadvantages:
- Premium food is not cheap.
- When feeding such food, it is imperative to ensure that your pet has access to clean water around the clock.
- Sometimes owners are faced with difficulties in choosing the most suitable food; in this case, it is better to consult with experienced breeders and a veterinarian.
But how should you approach the selection of feed and how do they differ?
Three classes of dry dog food
Food for people varies in quality, and the same thing happens with food for pets. There are several categories of ready-made diets, differing in price category and composition:
- Dry food Economy class. Packages with a similar product can be purchased in any supermarket, and their advertising most often appears on TV. These feeds, for the most part, contain low quality raw materials, and the meat part is in the minority. They do not contain meat as such; it is replaced by meat and bone meal and offal. The basis is plant components - cereals and soy. Some experts compare this food with noodles instant cooking- allows the animal to get enough, but the benefits are very doubtful.
- Premium dry food. This food consists of more quality products, meat components - meat, offal, make up about 30%. Such food is perfectly digestible, it is balanced and, judging by the composition, does not contain harmful substances. The price of the food is reasonable. But some manufacturers still add flavor enhancers, so food of the highest category - super-premium - is still recommended for feeding puppies.
- Dry food Better nutrition for dogs, consisting of the highest quality products. They contain biologically valuable components, exclusively meat - no bones or offal. You can also find fish, premium cereals, and unique plant components in the composition. In this category you can choose food for dogs with certain health problems - low immunity, etc.
Six of the best dry dog foods
To make choosing easier finished products, there is a certain rating of dry dog food, compiled based on the quality of the product and reviews from experts.
6 stars
This category includes best brands feeds that differ in all components - balance, food calorie content and value, as well as digestibility. Due to its unique composition, the daily intake of such food is very low. Foods of this type are recommended for weakened, elderly animals, as well as dogs with health problems.
- Go Natural Grain Free Endurance (Canada);
- Happy Dog Supreme Junior. (Germany);
- Happy Dog Supreme Fit&Well. (Germany);
- Happy Dog Supreme Sensible. (Germany);
- Innova EVO Small Bites (USA);
- Innova EVO Red Meat Large Bites (USA);
- Innova EVO Red Meat Small Bites (USA);
- Artemis Fresh Mix Maximal Dog (USA).
5 stars
The products are quite good quality, however, with some inconsistency to the highest standards:
- Happy Dog Natur Croq. (Germany);
- Happy Dog Natur Flocken. (Germany);
- Happy Dog Profi-Line Basic 23/9.5 (Germany);
- Acana Grasslands (Canada);
- Acana Pacifica (Canada);
- Acana Prairie Harvest (Canada);
- Eagle Pack Pet Foods (USA).
4 stars
Good food, but the ratio of meat and vegetable parts does not allow them to be classified as the highest category. The price is slightly lower than those listed above, but the daily dosage is also slightly higher. These include:
- BiOMill (Switzerland);
- Pro Plan (France);
- Pro Pac (USA);
- Royal Canin (Russia);
- Leonardo (Germany);
- Nutra Gold (USA);
- Belcando (Germany).
3 stars
This is an economy class food with low protein content. The quality cannot be called high, the composition contains an incomplete complex of vitamins, the ratio of components is not maintained.
Despite the similar quality, some brands of food in this category are quite expensive. There are many of them, but it is worth noting the most famous:
- Hill's (Czech Republic, USA, Holland);
- Nutro Choice (USA);
- Alders (Germany);
- Gimpet (Germany);
- Purina (France);
- Eukanuba (Holland, USA);
- Sheba (Thailand).
2 stars
The product is of low quality, made exclusively from offal and grains with the addition of soy, which the digestive system of dogs does not really tolerate. Naturally, with this diet, the animal needs an additional source of vitamins and microelements. If a healthy adult animal can digest such food, it is contraindicated for older dogs, as well as puppies and sick animals.
- Clauder's (Germany);
- Oscar (Denmark, Russia);
- Meal (Russia, Denmark);
- Friskies (Russia);
- Vaska (Russia);
- 1st Choice (Canada)
- Max (Russia).
1 star
Roughly speaking, feed in this category consists of meat production waste - intestines, bone residue, sinews, etc. are processed. Moreover, the meat component in the feed is only 4-5%, the rest of the plant materials are not of the best quality:
- Pedigree (Russia);
- Chappi (Russia);
- Darling (Hungary, France);
- ARO (Ukraine).
There are many commercial feeds produced, and the price does not always correspond to the quality, so before choosing, it is recommended to consult with professionals in order to make a worthy choice. After all proper nutrition– this is the health and longevity of your beloved pet, his good health and excellent mood.
Photo: Best dog food 2018 - 2019
The pet food market is constantly growing and it is becoming increasingly difficult to know which dog food is best. Large brands that were in advertising yesterday are now being bought out by conglomerates. Naturally, the quality of products varies depending on the policy of the owner company. To help you find a good product for your furry friend, we analyzed the market and reviews, and then compiled a rating of dog food. Moreover, we made 3 mini-tops in different price segments - cheap, medium and premium.
Photo: Dog food rating Fortunately, the author of this article is himself an avid dog breeder, and therefore is well acquainted with the peculiarities of feeding four-legged friends, small and large. To rank the best dog foods, we did the following:
- We collected reviews from the forums - where pet owners correspond. Don’t worry, we understand the Internet space, so we don’t read paid messages that fill the modern network;
- Scanned popular items in stores - The outlets always have the best-selling products. Most often they are bought for a reason positive result in the form of a contented animal.
By combining all this data, we have compiled the most accurate top. Look at him.
10 Best Dog Foods
Each of us calculates our capabilities based on our budget. Let us note right away: animal food does not have to be expensive to satisfy the furry consumer. Let's take a look at 3 product groups:
Rating of inexpensive dog food
Saving does not mean choosing the bad. In the cheap category, it is better to pay attention to large manufacturers. They have impressive connections with various slaughterhouses and fisheries. Therefore, they buy waste that does not go into the human diet in large volumes - there is no need to add chemicals. Cheap food is made from bone meal and tissue residues that are useful for animals. Check out the rankings in this group:
4th place - Royal Canin: famous brand. On the market since 1967. Today it produces a lot of items for dogs of different ages. You can select a diet based on the breed. The following items are most popular among consumers:
- RoyalCaninMaxi- comes in blue packaging with a photo of a German Shepherd. Suitable for adult dogs (over 15 months) weighing 26-44 kg;
- RoyalCaninMiniAdult- This is one of the best food for small dogs. It costs only 400-450 rubles per 1 kg, which makes the product extremely attractive. Sold in green bags;
- RoyalCaninMediumDogs- is available in red packages, like the Junior series. In many ways, it is a universal product, as it is designed for medium-sized dogs (11-25 kg). In addition, it is cheap - 3 kg cost 1100-1200 rub.
An unspoiled reputation is an important detail, since thanks to it you are sure that your pet will not develop allergies and will definitely be well-fed when consuming the recommended doses. All this is very important, since we buy ready-made food for 2 purposes - saving time and ensuring the health of the pet.
3rd place - NERO GOLD super premium: The brand is appreciated by owners of pets sensitive to ingredients. This is one of the best inexpensive dog foods in terms of the number of ingredients. There are positions with horned meat, chicken, turkey and even fish for special connoisseurs. Potatoes, oatmeal and cereals are used as additives. Cost 320-350 rubles per 1 kg package.
2nd place Dog Chow: Here is one of the cheapest products. Moreover, it is produced by a fairly large brand - Nestle Purina PetCare. The company has been operating since 2002 and has a turnover of $11 billion. Look at a few items:
The brand is generally not very keen to expand its range, specializing in universal food. In many ways, this is justified, since more than half of the brands on the market today simply come up with a bunch of names, slightly change the composition and package the product in a different “wrapper”. In most cases, no tests are carried out - you take food for a Pekingese, but it is no different from food for a shepherd dog. The animal is still happy. Nestle Purina PetCare has an easier time with this matter, since the choice is narrowed to a minimum.
1st place - Pronature: The holistic line combines natural and organic ingredients. The main components are poultry and cattle meat. The product of this brand has become extremely popular online. good reviews from consumers. Many people switch to a more expensive product when money becomes available, but we have not found any dissatisfied animals or their owners. All products are divided by size and age of dogs. The main thing is the price. A kilogram of Pronature can now be purchased for just 320-350 rubles.
As you can see, there are quite a few decent options on the market, sold at low prices. We can also recommend a brand Brit- she has positions priced at 550 rubles for 3 kg. It is very cheap, but in our rating we would put this manufacturer in 6-7 place if the list were larger. But, since no more than 4 positions are covered in each group, let's move on to the next category.
Rating of dog food at average price
The golden mean remains for many best choice. There are no overly cheap ingredients here - along with this fact, doubts about quality also disappear. Some, even if they have money, prefer the positions listed below. Look at the rating of dog food in the middle price segment:
2nd place - Applaws: Holistic food for dogs, sold for approximately 1050-1200 rubles per 2 kg package. More than 10 years of experience and positive reviews speak about the quality of items from this brand. In addition to the dry version, the company produces canned salmon, liver and gourmet vegetables. They cost the same as human food in similar containers and are more likely to belong to the elite group.
1st place - 1st Choice: Canadian product. It is made in the same country and has the appropriate quality. When reading the ingredients, we often see lamb meat, animal meal and fish, mainly herring. Expensive dog food is enriched not only with a group of vitamins, but also with minerals - iron, copper, zinc, etc. Rice, potatoes and oatmeal are used as additives. Look at the product features:
- Large selection for different breeds and ages;
- Normal price for its segment;
- Widespread in the market.
Please note that the product is not as popular as the previous one. It may not be available at your nearest pet store - this is the only negative.
Rating of expensive dog food
You can tell by the pet social status its owner. That’s why wealthy people prefer to feed their furry friends the best, as well as themselves. Take a look at the list of elite brands and dog foods:
3rd place - Barking Heads: This is a holistic food produced since 2008. You can easily recognize the brand's products by their multi-colored bags decorated with cartoon drawings of animals. The company offers rations of 2 types - dry and wet. Look at the product features:
- Using real meat;
- Addition of iodine, vitamins A, D, E;
- No dyes, preservatives or flavors.
It is found quite often in Barking Heads stores, therefore, having accustomed the dog to good and healthy eating, you won't run into shortages. When purchasing, you need to take into account the animal’s predisposition to allergies, since this is natural food. Take a closer look when you first consume.
2nd place - Summit holistic: another brand from Canada. Her products are distinguished by their ascetic design. There is no need to be afraid of him - in Western countries, and here too, they trust less and less catchy pictures, the production of which also increases the final cost. Intelligent people pay more attention to content. Summit holistic dog food is one such example. In our market it is more often found in the format of large packages of 12.7 kg, since it is bought mainly by wealthy people. The brand has a line of food for dogs after sterilization.
1st place - NOW Natural holistic: holistic segment. This is one of the most expensive feeds, the price of which exceeds 800 rubles per 1 kg. Unlike all existing competitors at the time of writing, the brand is the only one that produces food without grains - forget about allergies. Contains a lot of fruits and vegetables. Check out other features:
- Free from by-products - no production waste. If it says that there is chicken meat, it means that it is inside, and not giblets or the like. This is logical, since the price greatly exceeds the cost of 1 kg of muscle tissue on the market;
- Free from animal fats - in cheap analogues they become the main meat substitute. He's not here.
Last, but not least, the advantage was the finely adjusted balance of components. If you really want the best and most expensive dog food, choose NOW Natural holistic.
In the elite segment of holistic food for animals, we also recommend paying attention to the GATHER, Almo Nature Alternative and AATU brands - they make excellent food.
Resume
The purpose of this article is to focus the reader's attention on good dog foods. There is no need to be afraid of 2 or 3 places on the list - we chose from the top candidates. The point is, you go to the store, see any of these brands and feel free to buy it. You really can't go wrong! All that remains is to focus on the price and observation of the animal - there is no friend according to taste and color. One dog's life may lack the elements found in fish, while another may lack the elements found in poultry or spinach.
Remember that when switching to a new food, your pet may begin to be capricious - this is normal. We people often do not immediately give up things that are already outdated and less good than the market offers, but then we try them and are happy. Therefore, there is no need to be afraid to buy new ones. Good purchases and a happy life with your four-legged friend.
A lack of daily protein, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, and microelements can lead to a decrease in the animal’s activity, and in severe cases, become the main cause of disease.
No vitamins are added to economical dry food. This means that the owner will have to supplement the animal’s diet with multivitamin complexes
The rating defines premium dry food for dogs as an option that is not of high quality. In order to improve the quality of ingredients “visually”, manufacturers generously add preservatives, odor and taste enhancers to their products.
Dry food of the super-premium category includes high-quality ingredients, it is not only natural meat, but also eggs, cereals, healthy food additives. This mixture can be selected according to the dog’s age, physical condition, and lifestyle, which is undoubtedly a big advantage. The disadvantage of super-premium food is the small concentration of substances that are not absorbed by the animal’s body.
The range of super-premium food is quite large, and among them you can always choose a high-quality diet, and you should pay attention not only to foreign-made diets. Among Russian feeds, quite a lot have recently appeared good products, an example of which is trademark Blitz.
Blitz is a Russian brand that produces high-quality food for dogs and cats
These foods are based on chicken and turkey meat, as well as lamb and pork; they do not contain wheat, which often causes allergies in animals, and also feature a number of very valuable additives. These include live probiotics to support gut health, fish oil, Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids, and a wide range allows you to choose a diet for any pet, including those with sensitive digestion.
Blitz food is based on a lot of meat ingredients and does not contain wheat at all, which often causes allergies in pets
Holistic class - the most natural and high-quality dry food for pets. The composition of such mixtures is perfectly selected and balanced. Holistic food contains high-quality ingredients that are suitable for human consumption. Manufacturers of holistic dog food write in detail the composition, which includes meat, grains, oils, and probiotics that improve digestion. This type of food has a beneficial effect on general condition dogs.
An even higher class of dry food is biologically appropriate diets, prime examples of which are the Acana and Orijen brands. Such feeds are distinguished by a composition that is as close as possible to natural nutrition animals in wildlife. Dogs are carnivores that are adapted to eat meat, and therefore sources of animal protein should serve as the basis of their diet. This is precisely what biologically appropriate feeds provide, in whose composition the lion's share (up to 75% in Acana and up to 85% in Orijen) is occupied by meat ingredients, represented not only by fresh and dehydrated muscle meat - the main source of protein, but also by some by-products that differ rich in vitamins and microelements. Acana and Orijen are completely grain-free and low-carbohydrate, also in line with the concept of feeding dogs according to their nature.
The Acana and Orijen brands produce biologically appropriate diets for dogs and cats.
From year to year, each manufacturer can improve how quality indicators of your product, and lower it. For convenience, a rating of dry dog food for 2019 is presented.
Economy class feed:
- Pedigree (made in Hungary, USA)
- Darling (made in Hungary, France)
- Chappi (Russia, USA)
- ARO (Ukraine)
Premium food:
- Purina Dog Chow (made in France)
- Purina Pro Plan (made in France)
- Nutra Nuggets (made in USA)
- Brit Premium (made in the Czech Republic)
- Bozita (made in Sweden)
- Advance (made in Spain)
The advantage of premium class dry mixes compared to economy class is the increase in the amount of animal protein. However, it is unlikely that the protein concentration is due to natural meat; most likely, it is offal and waste
Premium quality food:
- Pronature Original (made in Canada)
- Royal Canin (made in Russia, Poland, France)
- Nutra Gold (made in USA)
- Josera (made in Germany)
- Hills (made in the Netherlands, USA)
- Happy dog (made in Germany)
- Eukanuba (made in Canada)
- Diamond(made in USA)
- Brit Care (made in the Czech Republic)
- ANF (made in USA)
Super-premium food includes high-quality ingredients, it is not only natural meat, but also eggs, cereals, and healthy food additives
Super premium food:
- Nutra Gold (USA)
- Belcando (Germany)
- Bosch (Germany)
- 1st Choice (Canada)
- Arden Grange (England)
- Eagle Pack (USA)
- Artemis (USA)
- Almo Nature (Italy)
- Pronature Holistic (made in Canada)
- Wellness (made in USA)
- Taste of the Wild (made in USA)
- NOW! (made in USA)
- Orijen (made in Canada)
- Innova (made in USA)
- GO! (made in Canada)
- Chicken Soup (made in USA)
- Canidae (made in USA)
- Acana (made in Canada)
Choosing food for large breed dogs
Large breed dogs, such as dogs, have a good appetite, but their metabolism is significantly slower. To avoid obesity, it is necessary to choose special food - nutritious, but not too high in calories.
Manufacturers of dry food produce a separate line for large breed dogs, taking into account their physiological characteristics. First of all, you need to monitor the amount of protein included in the feed.
For an adult pet and especially for a large breed puppy, the protein content should be in the range of 15-32%. But the fat content in such feeds should, on the contrary, be reduced. Foods for large breeds contain large number useful substances to improve the functioning of joints and vital organs.
- Acana Puppy Large Breed (for, , And , holistic class)
- Acana Adult Large breed (for adult large dogs, holistic class)
- Almo Nature Holistic Adult Dog Large (super premium class)
- Belcando Junior Maxi (super premium class)
- Hill`s Canine Adult Advanced Fitness (premium class with increased quality indicators)
- Royal Canin Maxi Adult 26 (premium class with increased quality indicators)
Choosing food for small breed dogs
- Acana small (holistic class)
- Wellness Simple (holistic class)
- 1st Choice Adult Dog TOY BREEDS – Healthy Skin & Coat (super premium)
- Almo Nature Holistic Adult Dog Small – Chicken&Rice (super-premium class)
- Eukanuba Breed Specific Yorkshire Terrier (premium class with increased quality indicators, like those listed below, ideal for, Shih Tzu,
For the beauty, health and long life of your pet, choose high-quality food from trusted brands
To summarize, it should be noted that for the health and well-being of the dog, of course, it is recommended to choose super-premium and holistic food. Cheap dry food will help you save money cash, however, will have a detrimental effect on the health and years of life of the pet.
Rating of dry dog food: choice of food for large and small breeds
Everyone can probably agree that nutrition is very important to the health and well-being of dogs. Therefore, it is better to choose super premium dog food, rich in vitamins and minerals.
It is also important that super premium dog food is divided into: dietary, elite, grain-free, medicinal. Dog owners can also choose between wet and dry food to add variety to their pet's diet.
Composition of super premium dog food
Super premium food is professional, containing not only high-quality ingredients, but also calculated proportions. Therefore, the proportions of amino acids, protein and minerals are balanced in them.
Manufacturers also take into account:
- breed;
- pet's age;
- physiology;
- health status.
Main feature elite feeds - the meat component is at least 40%, and there should be no soy or preservatives in the composition at all, because they are not digestible by the dog's stomach.
Premium food may include:
- herbs;
- vegetables;
- grains;
- fruits;
- biological additives.
Then the pet will receive vitamins, fiber, protein, magnesium and carbohydrates in the right quantities without purchasing additional vitamin complexes.
Important that a separate type of food is considered holistic, which includes products consumed by humans. The main component is a prebiotic that improves digestion, and for cereals, meat and oil, the grades and percentages are indicated.
Rating of super premium dog food
Below we will look at a list of popular super premium foods created for all breeds and ages.
Acana
Dry food from Canada, classified as holistic. Contains fresh meat different types, animal proteins, some carbohydrates, fruits and vegetables, sometimes dietary supplements.
Peculiarities:
- supplements medicinal herbs to maintain immunity and rapid development;
- the percentage of meat is at least 50%, the remaining 30-50% are vegetables, fruits, and grains.
The line is designed for:
- adult dogs and puppies;
- lactating bitches;
- small and large breeds.
The average price is 600 rubles.
Almo Nature
is an Italian company that creates dry food for dogs with minimal processing of products, but a maximum range of vitamins and additives. The composition contains a meat product (at least 50%), rosemary oil, vegetables, a mixture of grains from rice and oats. You will not find any dyes or preservatives among the ingredients.
Features - the product is created in the same way as canned food for people, so that the components are quickly absorbed by the stomach.
The following food is suitable:
- large pets;
- medium-sized dogs;
- puppies from one month of age;
- pregnant bitches.
The average price for 2 kg is 1000 rubles.
Arden Grange
– English company, producing dog food in dry and canned form. Distinctive feature– hypoallergenic because it does not contain soy, gluten or dairy products. The food consists of meat, nucleotides, prebiotics, flax and beet seeds, rosehip extract, glucosamine. The amount of meat is not less than 20%.
The food is suitable for dogs:
- with indigestion;
- for puppies;
- aging and sick pets.
Well absorbed by sensitive stomachs, it is used for the prevention and treatment of eating disorders, from which small breeds often suffer.
The average price for 6 kg is 3000 rubles.
Brit Care
Produced in the Czech Republic, suitable for dogs from 4 weeks of age. The composition includes: meat at least 45%, rice - 30%, dried fruits, cartilage extract, herbal extract, iron, magnesium, calcium, a number of vitamins.
Peculiarities:
- makes the coat silky;
- strengthens teeth and bones;
- supports immunity.
This food is suitable:
- for large and medium breeds;
- lactating and pregnant bitches;
- puppies from six months of age.
The average price is 600 rubles.
Bozita (Bozita)
is a Swiss company producing dry and wet food for pets of all ages. Consists of fresh chicken or venison in broth, lamb, amino acids, beet fiber, vitamins and minerals, rose hips. There are no preservatives.
Peculiarities:
- easily digestible by the stomach of small dogs and puppies;
- allows the body to develop faster.
Suitable for:
- small breeds;
- dogs of medium size and leading an active lifestyle are exposed to great physical activity(hunting or fighting breeds).
The average price is 500 rubles.
Bosch (Bosch)
- a German company, the most popular in Europe. The composition includes cereals, meat, animal fats, vegetables, grains, and a vitamin complex.
For 20 kg you will have to pay about 3,500 rubles.
Peculiarities:
- easily digestible by the stomach;
- does not cause allergies;
- strengthens bones and teeth.
Suitable for all breeds except those suffering from weak intestines.
Belcando
– German dry food without dyes and preservatives. The composition contains meat or fish (at least 20%), noodles, rice, vegetables, eggs, corn, fiber, flax seeds, herbs.
Peculiarities:
- accelerates the development of a young body;
- strengthens the immune system;
- gives a boost of energy for the whole day.
The food is suitable for all dogs from six months of age. There are separate lines for pets with special needs.
The average price is 200 rubles per 50 g.
Dukes Farm
Suitable for dogs from one year of age. The composition includes meat - at least 30%, grain complex, fish, sauce or broth, beet pulp, mineral and vitamin complexes, flax seeds, beta-carotene, seaweed, amino acids.
Peculiarities:
- restores immunity;
- strengthens bones;
- Removes the pungent odor of animal urine.
There are lines for adult dogs, puppies, and older dogs. Not suitable for indigestion.
The average price is 1000 rubles per 2 kg.
Eukanuba (Eukanuba)
Produced in the Netherlands and Russia. The composition includes animal proteins in the form of poultry meat, carbohydrates, fiber, vitamins and mineral complexes, glucosamine.
Peculiarities:
- has hypoallergenic qualities;
- suitable for sensitive stomachs;
- does not require the addition of vitamins or minerals.
Before purchasing for pregnant dogs, it is best to consult a veterinarian.
The line is designed for:
- decorative dogs;
- medium-sized pets;
- Labradors;
- boxers;
- older dogs;
- suffering from skin diseases.
The average price for 3 kg is 1000 rubles.
Farmina
– food is produced by an Italian company for medium and large breeds of dogs. Consists of meat, eggs, rice, grains, fish, vegetable oil, amino acids, vitamins, fiber, chicken fat.
Peculiarities:
- refers to medicinal feed;
- need to consult a veterinarian;
- Suitable for sensitive stomachs.
Decorative breeds are allergic to some components of canned food.
Price for 2.5 kg – 1000 rubles.
Innova EVO
– food produced in America is holistic. The main ingredients are beef, lamb, egg, cottage cheese. Additional components - potatoes, sunflower oil, carrots, tomatoes, herbs, vitamin complex, minerals in the form of magnesium, phosphorus, calcium, zinc.
Well absorbed by sensitive stomachs, reduces the odor of urine and feces.
Suitable for:
- large breeds;
- medium dogs;
- pregnant bitches;
- puppies from one year of age.
Price – from 1000 rubles.
Monge
Produced by an Italian company, the line includes dry, wet food and diets for sick or aging dogs. The composition includes meat, rice, potatoes, fish, grains, mineral complexes.
When choosing veterinary diets, you need to follow the dosage, and when feeding dry food, the dog must be provided with a large amount of water (from 300 ml per day). It is better not to buy without consulting a doctor and examining the animal.
Suitable for:
- for puppies;
- mature animals;
- for pets with special needs;
- pregnant women;
- nursing
The average price is 1300 rubles.
Nero Gold
Produced in Holland together with nutritionists and veterinarians for more than 10 years. The food is hypoallergenic and contains chicken, poultry or deer meat. It also contains flaxseed grain, amino acids, minerals, vitamins, and fatty acids.
The food is quickly digestible, there are lines for different ages and taking into account the pet’s diseases.
Features - suitable for any pet, but dosages must be followed. Puppies are allowed to be fed from six months, starting with canned food.
The average price is 1000 rubles.
Orijen
Produced by a Canadian company, it consists of 80% meat, 20% herbs, vegetables and biological additives, but you will not find grains in the composition. Additional components are animal fats, amino acids, minerals, glucosamine, fish.
Suitable for:
- adult dogs;
- pets from one year of age;
- mature dogs;
- pets with heavy physical activity;
- large and giant breeds.
The average price is 800 rubles for 35 g.
Fest Choice (1st choice)
Manufactured in Canada for toy and large breed dogs from 10 months. It is hypoallergenic and contains meat and fish. Added vegetables and grains, but no corn or soy.
Peculiarities:
- strengthen the coat;
- strengthen teeth and bones;
- reduce odor from urine and feces.
The average price is 3500 rubles.
Suitable for pets with weak stomachs.
Need to take into account! When feeding puppies and lactating bitches, you need to adhere to dosages.
Before choosing super premium food, it is better to consult a veterinarian, who will choose food according to the age, breed and characteristics of the dog’s body. This is especially true for pregnant bitches and puppies.
Any owner of a four-legged pet knows that health, activity and attractive appearance dogs depend primarily on its nutrition. But choosing the right diet for an animal is quite difficult, because the food must not only be nutritious and balanced, it must also contain useful additives (vitamins, minerals and trace elements). And in this matter, many owners trust television advertising or rely on the opinions of friends and give preference to dry granulated food. Does dry food meet all the needs of dogs, as its manufacturers guarantee, what products are the crunchy kibble actually made from, and what do veterinarians think about it?
Dry food: disadvantages and advantages
Dry food has a number of undeniable advantages. Read about them below.
Ever since bags of dry dog food appeared on the shelves of veterinary pharmacies and supermarkets, disputes between the owners of these animals, and even veterinarians themselves, have not subsided.
Opponents of this type of feeding believe that only natural food (meat, cereals, dairy products and vegetables) can satisfy the animals’ daily requirement of calories and essential vitamins. Dry food fans disagree with this opinion and are confident that crunchy kibble contains not only meat, but also components such as grains, vegetables and minerals, so they are an excellent alternative to natural food.
Opponents of dry food believe that natural food is better for the dog.
It is difficult to answer which of them is right, because dry food, compared to natural food, has both a number of undeniable advantages and many significant disadvantages. And before transferring a four-legged pet to ready meals Each owner must carefully weigh the pros and cons.
Pros of dry food
Dry dog food comes in a wide variety.
- Large selection . You can choose food for your pet, taking into account not only its size and breed, but also factors such as sterilization of the animal, the age of the pet, or certain types of products.
- Save time . To feed your pet, just pour a portion of dry granules into his bowl, because you don’t need to boil him, like meat or porridge.
- Prevention of tartar . Dry food helps cleanse your dog's teeth of plaque and prevents the formation of tartar.
- Content of vitamins and minerals . Premium food contains microelements necessary for animals, so the owner does not have to buy additional vitamins at the pharmacy.
- Availability and long term storage . Packages of crunchy granules can be purchased at any veterinary pharmacy or the nearest supermarket; moreover, such food practically does not spoil and can be bought in stock.
Cons of dry food
- Expensive price . High-quality food is not cheap, and not every owner can afford to buy it. And a cheap one will not only bring no benefit to the dog, but can also harm his health.
- It's addictive . Some dogs become so accustomed to dry kibble that they may subsequently refuse any other food.
- High salt content . Ready-made dry food is very salty, so the owner must ensure that the four-legged pet always has access to clean, fresh water.
- Diet monotony . The dog's daily menu consists of the same dry granules, even if they are tasty.
- Difficulty of choice . Many owners find it difficult to choose food that is suitable for their pet.
Cheap dry food is harmful to your dog.
It must be remembered that a complete diet is important not only for a purebred pet, but also for an ordinary mongrel that does not have a pedigree or titled ancestors. Therefore, each owner should consult a veterinarian about this before switching their pet to dry food.
What ingredients and components is dry dog food made from?
In television advertising, beautiful and well-groomed dogs eat with great pleasure fragrant dry granules sprinkled by a caring owner. And, as the advertisement promises, this food gives animals energy and strength, because it contains only ingredients that are beneficial for dogs.
But in reality, most manufacturers make dog food from waste, tendons, bones and internal organs ground into flour. And they also add soy, starch, corn flour, dry egg powder and chicken fat. Therefore, you should not believe commercials that ready-made food contains a lot of meat, it is there no more than 20–30%.
Premium food has a high price.
In addition, dry granules also contain preservatives and flavorings, which cannot be considered beneficial to the health of dogs.
Rather, on the contrary, stabilizers and food colorings can harm the animal’s digestive system or cause allergies. As a rule, harmful additives can be found in all cheap economy-class food, so you should not hope that the dog will get the maximum benefit from such food.