Pets, regardless of breed, need complete, healthy and tasty food. Today, owners have dozens of brands of dog food to choose from. Ready-made mixtures make the life of dog breeders much easier and differ in price, nutritional value, set of components and usefulness.

Before their appearance, the diet of pets consisted of meat products, cereals, vegetables, and each owner himself determined how and what to feed his ward. Not only did “dog cooking” take a lot of time and the dishes did not remain fresh for very long. With a natural diet, it is extremely difficult to calculate the calorie content of food and its nutritional value.

Today's dog breeders have at their disposal:

• dry dog ​​food with different tastes and composition;
• canned food that can provide a complete diet or serve as an additive to dry mixtures or natural nutrition"from the table";
• dry and wet treats to reward your pet;
• vitamin and microelement supplements to help compensate for deficiencies useful substances with natural nutrition.

A properly composed diet is the key to long life, energy and health. Ready-made dog food takes into account the needs of the animal, its physiology, age and breed characteristics.

If the food is selected correctly, eating only it, the pet receives not only enough energy, but also essential vitamins, macro- and microelements, bioactive substances responsible for the dog’s immune defense, growth and development.

Classification of dry dog ​​food

The choice of dry pet food today is huge. Ready-made diets contain proteins, fats, and carbohydrates designed to satisfy hunger. The best dog foods not only satisfy nutritional needs, they:

• replenish the body's needs for vitamins, amino acids, mineral salts;
• strengthen immunity and health;
• support digestive processes;
• take care of the condition of the coat and teeth.

For dog owners to choose from, dry food manufacturers offer entire lines of ready-made diets designed for animals of different ages, weights, sizes, lifestyles and health conditions. An attentive dog breeder, paying attention to the composition and knowing the needs of his pet, will definitely find the most delicious, healthy and safe food.

Based on price and composition, dry dog ​​food is divided into several classes:

• the most affordable economical feed;
• premium feed;
• super-premium dry mixes;
• grain-free or holistic feeds;
• veterinary or medicinal dog food included in diets for certain health problems.

In each category, food is divided into those intended for adult animals and puppies, for large and small breeds. These foods differ from each other in composition, shape and size of the croquettes.

What food should I feed my dog ​​so that the pet is always cheerful, cheerful, and does not experience health problems?

Economy class dry dog ​​food

The most affordable dry dog ​​food can be bought in almost every store. On the packaging of such mixtures, manufacturers always promise that the pet will like the taste of the food, its aroma, and the energy of a serving of kibble is enough to keep the animal active throughout the day.

If you take a closer look at the composition of such dog food, it turns out that along with the promised meat, the croquettes contain meat and bone meal, animal fat, soy and grains, cellulose, aromatic and flavoring additives, dyes and preservatives.

Although economical dog food ranks first in ratings and is incredibly common due to its cheapness, it is unlikely that it will be beneficial for your pet. They don't contain vitamins.

Economy food attracts animals, but not because of its benefits and real taste, but due to the abundance of synthetic flavors. The mineral composition of such mixtures is poor, and their nutritional value is low.

Dogs fed an economy diet are forced to eat a lot to stay alert. Pets often suffer from eating disorders and allergies. Puppies lag behind in development from their peers who eat premium and natural food for dogs. By choosing economical formulations, a dog owner risks the health and longevity of his pet.

The dog's body wears out quickly, and a lack of vitamins, amino acids and minerals leads to a decrease in immunity. A gap in it causes the development of chronic diseases.

Premium dry dog ​​food

All food croquettes are very similar to each other, but their composition can vary greatly. What is the best dog food? The one that has the most balanced, healthy composition does not cause digestive disorders, allergies or other troubles in the pet and at the same time the pet likes it. Premium mixtures are richer and healthier in composition than economical feeds.

The meat components used here are offal, inexpensive varieties of white fish and mechanically separated poultry. It contains more animal proteins; to improve digestion, vegetables, healthy vegetable oils and certain vitamins are included in the food. However, the basis of croquettes remains cereals, such as wheat, oats or rice.

In order for the animal to feel good, healthy and vigorous, its diet is supplemented with vitamins, bioactive substances that improve digestion and care for the coat.

If your pet is prone to food allergies, it is better to choose a hypoallergenic dog food with a low content of grains, turkey or duck, the meat of which rarely causes unwanted reactions.

Super premium dog food

Food with the most natural and useful composition combined into a super premium class. The recipe takes into account all the needs of the animal, so the food provides a complete diet and does not require the inclusion of any additives or essential vitamins in the menu.

• meat components such as beef, lamb, turkey, duck;
• a small amount of grains used as a source of protein and fiber;
• vegetables and fruit;
• vegetable oils;
• extracts of useful plants;
• mineral components;
• probiotics to stimulate digestion;
• complex of vitamins.

The composition, energy and nutritional value of the croquette varies depending on who it is addressed to. In addition to diets low in grains, there are completely grain-free, or holistic, foods.

Which dog food is better: nuances of choice

Today, the owner can choose a diet based on the breed, size, age, health status and even the character of his pet.

Small dogs are more likely than large breeds to be excitable, nervous, and also suffer from dental problems and all kinds of injuries. To keep the animal healthy and only please the owner, many manufacturers offer specialized food for small breed dogs. The croquettes of such diets are small and adapted to the jaw apparatus and digestion of medium-sized animals.

For large dog breeds, food should not be too high in calories, especially when keeping animals in a city apartment. Excess calories lead to obesity, and too small croquettes cause the formation of tartar, gum inflammation and even tooth loss. Dog food for large dogs is not only distinguished by the size of the kibble, but also by its composition. The protein content here is increased and the fat content is reduced. Additionally, the mixture contains components that protect the dog’s heart and musculoskeletal system.

Puppies, who grow quickly and spend a lot of energy playing, need a high-calorie, vitamin-rich diet. Specialized foods for this category are most often made from chicken meat, enriched with bone-healthy calcium and components that stimulate digestion. The composition of food intended for pregnant and lactating bitches is similar.

Animals living as pets are sterilized. This procedure affects not only reproductive functions dogs, but also on other physiological characteristics. Food for sterilized dogs has a reduced calorie content to prevent the animal from gaining excess weight. In addition, the diet includes substances that support digestion and the health of the urinary organs.

It's good when the dog is healthy, but a sick animal needs special care. Part of it is a properly selected diet, consisting of dry or wet medicated dog food. The veterinary lines of such foods are very extensive and include products for the prevention and treatment of a wide variety of diseases, including:

• dysfunction of the liver and pancreas;
• pathologies of the kidneys and bladder;
• heart diseases;
• problems with the musculoskeletal system;
• diabetes.

The modern range of dog food is incredibly large. Which food to choose? This depends on the available funds and the health status, breed and age of the pet. When buying a package of food, do not forget that economy class products are not the best choice. They will not bring any benefit to the animal, and sometimes can harm its health.

Premium dog food, canvas and super-premium mixtures are more expensive, but many times more useful. Their selection is large, and the prices are not always excessively high. Focusing on the physiological needs of your pet, you can always choose food that will ensure its excellent health and a long, happy life.

How to choose dog food - video

Shortage in daily norm Protein, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, as well as microelements can lead to a decrease in the activity of the animal, and in severe cases, become the main cause of the development of diseases.

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.

Super-premium dry food includes high-quality ingredients, not only natural meat, but also eggs, cereals, and healthy food additives. Such a mixture can be selected according to the dog’s age, as well as its 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 assortment of super-premium food is quite large, and among them you can always choose a high-quality diet, and it is worth paying attention not only to foreign-made diets. Among Russian feeds in Lately Quite a lot of good products have appeared, an example of which is the Blitz brand.

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 acid, 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 food has a beneficial effect on the general condition of the dog.

An even higher class of dry food is biologically appropriate diets, prime examples of which are the Acana and Orijen brands. Such feed is distinguished by a composition that is as close as possible to the natural diet of animals in the wild. 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 either improve or lower the quality indicators of their product. 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. Food for large breeds contains a large amount of 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

Before buying dog food, you need to decide on many criteria: composition, quality, type of food (dry or wet canned), pet breed and price. To make it easier to choose and you are confident in the full development of your pet, we have compiled a small nutrition rating.

Selection Basics

Dog food is an alternative to natural nutrition and is considered a better option in some cases. Not only because of the need to give a smaller portion, but also because the finished feed contains the necessary complex of vitamins, meat products, and there are lines by breed and quality.

The composition of a good food should be:

• natural meat and offal – at least 30%;
• vegetables and fruits;
• vitamin and mineral complex;
• healing herbs;
• cellulose;
• fatty acid;
• rice or grain crops, but not more than 10%;
• eggs;
• medicinal extracts or oils.

It is important that dry food contains vegetable protein, essential vitamins, calcium, magnesium, and fiber. Then the pet will fully develop.

All prepared foods are divided into several categories:

• economy class feed;
• premium class;
• super premium class.

A separate type of diet is holistic and therapeutic diets, although in quality they are close to super-premium nutrition. The best option is considered to be super-premium and premium food, since they are the most balanced, contain more fresh products, undergo international quality checks, and provide the dog with all the necessary nutrients.

With regards to economy class feed, they contain a lot of preservatives, chemicals, flavor enhancers, and instead of meat they use meat flour of dubious production. The price of food is much lower than other classes, and often such food causes certain diseases (obesity, diabetes, hair loss).

If you choose the wrong food, your dog may experience a number of health problems:

• allergies and dermatitis;
• avitaminosis;
• metabolic problems;
• digestive problems;
• weak bones and muscles.

Don’t forget that in addition to the food class, you need to take into account the breed of the animal and individual characteristics(such as size, coat length, presence of diseases, age).

Top 24 Dog Foods of 2019

The list of the best dog foods in 2017 included more than twenty options:

• Summit;

It is difficult to say unequivocally which dog food is the best. But many veterinarians and breeders note that Hill’s food, which includes wet canned food and dry food, belongs to the super-premium class. The price for an average package of 6.5 kg will be 2000 rubles (500 UAH). Although a lot depends on the composition, packaging option and line.

Types of feed

Depending on the appearance and production method, a distinction is made between dry and wet food and canned food. Most dog owners buy dry food, but they still need to monitor their pet's water balance. Wet canned food is often purchased for puppies or to diversify their diet.

Dry food

Dry food is a nutritious diet in the form of pressed kibble of different sizes, produced taking into account the needs of the dog. In the best options, food contains more protein, a minimum of carbohydrates and animal fats. The basis of any croquettes is meat, it is better when it is natural. Cereals, eggs, dry vegetables and extracts, mineral complexes are also added. Food is produced using ovens, high temperatures, sometimes frosts at low temperatures.

Super-premium croquettes are steamed to preserve vitamins and nutritional components. You can give dry food from two months of life, after weaning from mother's milk. But for this it is better to choose a special ruler. The best options for dry food are Eukanuba, Acana, and Orijen.

It is important that dry food can be soaked in water or given in its natural form. The main thing is to monitor the amount of water in relation to the portion of croquettes.

Canned food

Wet food consists of 75% moisture, is more nutritious, and therefore costs more than dry food. When making such food, all components are mixed, then a special component is added to maintain moisture, after which the product is heat treated at lower temperatures than dry.

Canned dog food is less popular than dry food. Because many experts do not recommend canned food as the basis of the daily diet. This is dictated by the fact that wet canned food loses some of its nutritional properties due to the large amount of moisture. Canned food from Purina Pro Plan, Eukanuba, and Happy Dog are especially recommended. The main components of canned food are fresh meat, vegetables, eggs and potatoes with broth and sauce.

Wet nutrition can be divided into two types:

• gourmet food acts as a delicacy; it contains a lot of fruits, vegetables, and medicinal herbs, but the nutrition is not balanced. These canned foods are given to diversify the diet, not constantly or in small portions;
• Medicinal foods are prescribed by a veterinarian for the treatment and prevention of certain types of diseases. It is important to adhere to the dosage and give only high quality canned food.

By the way, when buying canned food in a jar or bag Monitor the tightness, expiration date, and condition of the packaging(no swelling, drips). Choose options based on your pet's age.

Feed rating by class

Economy class food

Economy class food is not at all recommended for feeding dogs, because they contain almost no natural ingredients, the main ingredients are corn and millet (more than 60%), and instead of meat, by-products and chemicals are added. Such foods are addictive, but do not provide nutritional value.

Economy class meals include:

• Stout;
• Pedigree;
• Chappie;
• Darling;
• Oscar.

It is noteworthy that economy class meals contain almost no protein, vitamins and proteins. Therefore, it should absolutely not be given to puppies, large breeds or dogs with sensitive digestion.

Another feature of economy food is poor absorption, development of indigestion and obesity.

Premium and super premium dog food

The best option for a dog’s daily diet is super premium and premium food, as they provide the pet with necessary vitamins, treat certain diseases, and promote the development of the dog.

The following brands stand out in particular:

• Guts;
• Eukanuba;
• Hills;
• Bozita;
• Fest Choice;
• Happy dog.

The main advantages of super premium nutrition feeds:

• high rate of real meat, more than 40%;
• absence of chemicals, fragrances;
• availability of vegetables, fruits;
• the presence of vitamins, minerals, medicinal herbs;
• variety of lines;
• possibilities of treatment and prevention of certain diseases.

The price of super premium and premium food is usually higher than that of economy, but fewer daily portions are required.

Do not forget that premium food contains medicinal herbs and extracts that can cause allergies in some animals.

Every pet owner dreams of their pet always remaining healthy and cheerful. Of course, this requires a lot of effort. To do this, it is not enough to vaccinate your pet in a timely manner or train it. It is very important to pay attention to your pet's nutrition. The pet’s diet must not only be balanced, but it is also necessary to take into account the characteristics of a particular breed.

Pet owners should pay attention to the types of dog food, their manufacturers, and classes. You also need to take into account the recommendations of specialists.

It’s worth saying right away that really high-quality dry food and canned food is not so easy to find today. The fact is that new animal products are appearing on store shelves. Making a choice in favor of one manufacturer or another is becoming increasingly difficult. However, if you take into account the useful recommendations of experts, you can quite easily decide on dog food.

To make the best choice, the first step is to consider whether store-bought prepared meals are actually better than table food.

Should you feed your dog natural foods?

Some pet owners doubt that well-known manufacturers really offer the best nutrition option for their beloved pet. In this case, a decision is often made not to buy ready-made dog food, but to replace it with natural food. Of course, feeding an animal what its owner eats is much more profitable, and many people believe that such food is much better. However, it is worth considering that your pet’s body may simply not be able to cope with the variety of foods. As a result, such nutrition can cause allergies and serious problems with the kidneys and liver.

This is the reason why most veterinarians recommend dry dog ​​food. However, they do not advise buying the first “dryer” that catches your eye. The choice of products must be very careful and balanced. Even knowing all the features and types of dry dog ​​food, it is not always possible to predict the animal’s reaction to a particular component.

If we talk about the advantages of “drying” compared to products from the owner’s table, then it is worth mentioning that all components in ready-made food are very carefully dosed and selected by specialists. The ratio of mineral supplements and vitamins allows you to satisfy all the needs of the four-legged pet’s body. If a dog eats what its owner eats, it will not receive the required amount of nutrients. At the same time, such food may contain groups of vitamins or minerals that are recommended for four-legged friends only in limited quantities. It is impossible to balance an animal’s diet on your own, so you should give preference to specialized classes of dog food.

How the diet is selected

There are several rules that will help you make the right choice. To do this you need:

• Consult a veterinarian and find out which food is suitable for a particular dog. When choosing food, the age, breed, weight and other characteristics of the animal must be taken into account. In addition, the doctor will be able to tell which ailments the pet is predisposed to. All this information will help you create the most suitable diet and decide on the best brand of food. In addition, the doctor can tell whether the pet has a tendency to allergic reactions.
• Carefully study reviews on the Internet. Two Meat dog food is sometimes more popular than similar food from other manufacturers.
• Familiarize yourself with the composition of various feeds. If meat flour is listed first on the list, then it is better to abandon this option. The first ingredient should be natural meat (for example, chicken or beef). Also, dog food must be free of dyes, preservatives, thickeners and other chemical additives. A conscientious manufacturer will never use such components when preparing food for four-legged pets. The more natural ingredients in the food, the better.

Don't assume that cheaper food is the worst. In fact, some new manufacturers, trying to win over their customers, offer a pretty good product. In addition, there is always an exception to any rule. Therefore, you should not discount cheaper types of dog food. Premium and super-premium mixtures are widely popular due to the large selection of different types of nutrition. In addition, famous manufacturers prefer to adhere to the most best technology food manufacturing.

Today there are a huge number of types of dog food on the pet market. Therefore, it becomes very difficult for a novice animal owner to make a choice in favor of one food or another.

To simplify the choice, you need to remember that all food is divided into 4 categories of classes, each of which is worth considering in more detail.

"Economy"

Among the dog foods in this segment, it is worth highlighting several foods:

• Darling;
• Chappi;
• Pedigree;
• "Our Brand"

The main advantage of this class of food is that it costs much less than its analogues. Of course, the cost 3-4 times lower captivates animal owners.

However, you need to understand that such a low price is due to the most poor quality original products. Accordingly, such dog food contains practically no nutritional or other beneficial components that the animal’s body needs. Also, such a diet lacks natural ingredients (for example, protein). Most often, the main component of this type of feed is cereals. They are much cheaper than natural meat. Therefore, by and large, such nutrition is a “dummy”.

"Premium"

If we talk about this type of dog food, it is worth noting the higher quality of the components of this food. Such compositions include natural ingredients, offal, and specialized vegetables. This food is much healthier than its economy class analogues. Such food is more expensive, but when choosing it, you should still carefully study the composition on the package.

But they also contain a large number of cereals. Their volume usually exceeds the content of natural meat and other components. At the same time, premium food may well contain the same amount of dyes, emulsifiers and preservatives as the cheapest food.

The most popular brands of this food include:

• Brekkies;
• 1st Choice;
• Dog Chow.

Super premium

When considering dog food, classes and types of food, you should pay special attention to this category. Such compositions are manufactured only using the highest quality technologies. At the same time, specialists calculate the required volume of certain components and nutrients with milligram accuracy. If you feed your pets with food of this class, you can be sure that the dog’s nutrition is truly properly balanced.

In the production of Royal Canin dog food and other super-premium analogues, only natural meat is used. There can be no talk of any by-products. In addition, the food contains a balanced content of protein, minerals, vitamins and other microelements that the animal’s body needs, depending on its breed and individual characteristics.

Only natural raw materials are used in the form of Grandorf dog food. In addition, this diet includes probiotics and other components that are necessary for the prevention of most common diseases in four-legged pets.

Also, when choosing super-premium food, you should pay attention to the Pro Plan and Hill’s brands.

"Holistic"

Types of food for dogs with allergies are not so widely popular. They are more expensive than all other categories. However, if an animal suffers from vitamin deficiency or does not tolerate other foods well, it needs just such food.

Holistic food contains exclusively natural ingredients. If some content of flavorings is allowed in super-premium class food, then in this class they are completely absent. Instead, foods for allergy sufferers contain fresh meat, fruits and some types of vegetables, herbs, wild rice, vitamin complexes, trace elements and minerals.

For example, some types of Akana dog food have a similar composition. In addition, natural components are contained in the Pronature and Nutra Gold formulations.

What is economy class dry food?

The composition of such feeds includes by-products of the 4th class. This suggests that in such mixtures the manufacturer can absolutely safely use meat from sick animals. Of course, there is nothing good in this, since such a product may contain dangerous pathogens. Such nutrition can even lead to the formation of a tumor in the body of the unfortunate animal. In addition, the composition of such feeds quite often includes meat from livestock that was raised using antibiotics and rather aggressive growth hormones. The fact is that even after high-quality heat treatment, these components still remain unchanged.

However, it would be fair to say that economy-class dry food contains a regulated amount of vitamins and some nutrients. In addition, compositions of this type contain the required amount of protein and fat, which is necessary for the full functioning of the body of your beloved pet.

Chemicals such as propyl gallate act as preservatives here. When it comes to dyes and flavor enhancers, these are most often synthetic rather than natural substances. Such components can trigger an allergic reaction. Also, concentrated salts are often used in such feeds. Such additives certainly give the food a delicious aroma, so animals begin to eat it with great eagerness.

Analogy to human nutrition

To better understand the principle of action of lower categories of food, it is worth comparing such food with a more familiar analogue. Let's say a person constantly eats fast food, consumes a lot of mayonnaise and washes down his food with cola. Of course, he understands that such a diet is very harmful to his body, but it is very difficult to stop and switch to more natural food. It doesn't smell as appetizing and doesn't have as much flavor. The consequences of such nutrition can be disastrous. In addition to obesity, a person may begin to suffer from problems with the heart, kidneys and other organs.

The same thing happens if you feed your pet the lowest quality food. It will not give a visible effect immediately. However, over the years, the animal's condition will deteriorate, which, in turn, leads to irreparable changes.

If there is no financial opportunity to purchase higher quality products, then it is necessary to take into account some nuances that will help you choose a more economical food for your pet.

First of all, you need to carefully study the composition of the product and not buy food that contains incomprehensible or unknown components.

It is also important to consider the manufacturer's brand. A large corporation will not risk its name. Therefore, such companies usually produce really high-quality food.

Under no circumstances should you give your animal expired food. The packaging must be intact.

Which economy food is better?

It is very difficult to answer this question unambiguously. The thing is that each animal has its own individual needs. To assess how suitable a food is for a particular pet, you need to pay attention to how its gastrointestinal tract works. If the animal begins to suffer from constipation or, conversely, runs to the toilet too often, then it is worth changing the diet. The same must be done if the pet begins to lose hair or becomes very fat over time. short period time.

Most veterinarians and breeders do not consider such nutrition for animals at all. These foods have extremely low nutritional value. However, not everyone can afford to buy more expensive mixtures. In this case, it is worth talking about the best food from the worst category. Among them are the mixtures Pedigree, Darling and Chappi.

Puppy food

When choosing types of food for small breed dogs and puppies, it is worth paying attention to the fact that the body structure of such representatives of the animal world is significantly different. The organs of such pets are much more sensitive. Allergic reactions are most common in young and small dogs. Therefore, it is very important to choose the best composition.

At a young age, the foundation is laid, muscles develop and bones form. During this period of time, the animal needs more nutrients. If you feed your puppy economy-class food, his body will not become strong enough. In this case, you should at least try to introduce minerals and vitamin supplements, which slightly compensate for the lack of useful ingredients.

When choosing food you need to be especially vigilant. It is advisable to choose the best food for your pet.

Types of dry food Russian market so much that an ignorant person might get confused. What to feed your dog? Which option is preferable? An expert classification of dry dog ​​food by composition will help you understand these issues. In the article we will consider the classes “economy”, “premium”, “super-premium”, as well as medicinal and holistic feeds.

“Holistic” - nutrition as for people

In the production of feed belonging to this group, only high-quality natural products are used. The concentrate recipe is developed by expert nutritionists and thought through to the smallest detail. In addition to natural and environmentally friendly food products, holistic products include all the vitamins and microelements necessary for a pet’s life. The quality of holistic products is so high that they can be consumed by humans without health concerns. The following products belong to this class:

• Acana;
• Almo Nature;
• Orijen;
• Grandorf;
• Farmina and others.

This is the most expensive segment. For example, the cost of Farmina food can reach up to 5,000 rubles. Due to the high cost, the demand for holistic products is low, so they often have to be ordered individually.

Super premium dry food

Concentrates of this group are made taking into account the physiological needs of dogs. When developing a daily diet, producers take into account the breed, age, coat, lifestyle and other characteristics of the animal. The purpose must be indicated on the packaging.

Super-premium dry dog ​​food contains natural products, including meat, fish, grains and cereals. Additionally, vitamins and microelements are added in the required dosage. Food additives (dyes, preservatives), if used, are used in quantities that are safe for the health of the animal.

The “super-premium” class includes the following types of feed:

• Eukanuba;
• 1st choice;
• Monge;
• Advance;
• Gina and others.

The digestibility of nutrients in the gastrointestinal tract is quite high - from 83 to 92%. This ensures the normal development of the animal. Veterinarians recommend feeding pregnant and old animals, as well as puppies, concentrates of this group. For dogs leading an active lifestyle or prone to diseases, the “super-premium” class may also be an ideal option.

Premium dry food

The quality of “premium” food differs significantly from “super-premium”. In the production of these concentrates, real meat (about 25%) and offal are used. The latter may be liver or bone products. From products plant origin the diet includes corn or other crops. Foods in this group may contain dyes, flavors and preservatives. Suitable for adult dogs, but it is better to refrain from feeding puppies with them. The most famous representatives of the “premium” class:

• Royal Canin;
• Pro Plan;
• Dog Chow;
• Hill's.

The digestibility of these feeds is lower than that of “super-permium” - about 77%. Dogs of some breeds may develop health problems when fed premium concentrates for a long time. Therefore, before purchasing, it is necessary to consult a veterinarian about the advisability of feeding a dog of a certain breed with concentrates from this segment.

Economy class food

Waste is used in production Food Industry. The source of protein can be soy or wheat. In combination with vitamins and mineral supplements, products in this category can be used to feed adult pets. During pregnancy and under high loads, it is better to switch your pet to “premium” or “super-premium” class food. This recommendation also applies to feeding puppies.

The most popular manufacturers of economy class feed:

• Pedigree;
• Chappi;
• Stout;
• Our Brand;
• Meal.

The daily ration of dry dog ​​food of the “economy” class is balanced, but differs from the concentrates of the more expensive segment in the almost complete absence of vitamins necessary for the animal. Therefore, it is necessary to additionally purchase and feed multivitamin complexes.

The feed has low calorie content and poor digestibility. Not suitable for pregnant and lactating dogs, puppies and animals leading an active lifestyle.

Group of medicinal dry food

Separately, we can highlight food for medicinal purposes. They are found in different manufacturers, ranging from the premium segment and above. Why does a dog need medicated food and is this formulation a marketing ploy?

Dogs are susceptible to diseases. Some breeds have a genetic predisposition to certain pathologies, associated with the desire of breeders to obtain certain body features in the animal. For example, breeding large breed dogs is achieved by accelerating protein metabolism in the body.

The objectives of medicinal feeds are to reduce the load on the diseased organ, normalize metabolism, and eliminate products that provoke worsening of the disease. Concentrates of this group are developed taking into account recommendations for therapeutic diets and are prescribed by veterinarians as an aid in treatment.

The most common pathologies that require a special approach to the feeding diet.

1. Obesity. The pathology worsens the quality of life and can cause death in a number of small breed dogs. Dachshunds, Airedales and pugs are the most susceptible to overweight problems. In these cases, you need to pay special attention to the diet and buy breed-specific or medicinal food.
2. Diabetes. A common disease associated with impaired carbohydrate metabolism. Feeding requires concentrates with a reduced content of proteins and fats, and a high dose of fiber and L-carnitine.
3. Allergy. For pets suffering from this pathology, especially careful control of the diet is necessary. Veterinary hypoallergenic food does not contain products that can cause allergic reactions in the animal.
4. Diseases of bones and joints. Most often found in large breed puppies during the period of active growth. To treat and prevent pathology, a special diet is required, with a properly selected amount of calcium, phosphorus and vitamin D.
5. Various digestive disorders. They are found in dogs of different ages and breeds. In this case, it is necessary to pay special attention to the diet and exclude from the diet foods that contribute to the aggravation of pathologies.

Veterinary food is available in the product line of different manufacturers: Royal Canin, Pro Plan, Hill`s, Eukanuba. A veterinarian can choose an option for a specific disease when contacting the clinic.

The classification of dry dog ​​food indicated in the article will help you choose the most optimal solution. If you doubt the advisability of purchasing a certain concentrate, call us, we will help you with your choice.