Dogs

Comparison of Feed Types: Dry, Wet or Raw When it comes to the feed types that suit your dog best, not only are certain breeds more accustomed and react better to certain types of feed, the owners lifestyle also plays as bigger a role as the animal's preferences.  What have you been feeding your dog so far? Dry or wet, or do you prefer raw feed? Offers are everywhere, the selection of brands and types of feed is so diverse and the science around what is best is constantly evolving that now it is extremely difficult to keep on top of things let alone know what's best for your dog. There is no exact rule on whether raw or better than dry or wet is better than raw, however one thing that is vital to look out for is to make sure whatever you buy says complete feed, as this will contain all the important nutrients your four legged friend needs.  While there is no one type that is better than the next, you should consider the individual needs or your own pet. Offering dry food to a dog that doesn't drink that much is definitely a bad idea. In the interests of your dog, if this is the case with yours, your best course of action would be to switch to wet food or perhaps a mix of both. A good choice of wet food that we would recommend for a dog that is lacking water and nutrients would be anything from the Barking Heads range. Barking Heads provides a delicious wet food recipe with added vitamins & minerals that also contains 85% free range chicken, and what’s better yet…it’s grain-free too!  Similarly if your dog is being fed wet food and is suffering with dental problems, then your best bet is to change the feed to dry as dry food can help fight against tartare in dogs. This is because the abrasion of the teeth from chewing reduces such deposits.  If you are thinking of doing one a range of dry dog foods we would suggest for you would be Carnilove. With a grain free, complete feed, Carnilove offers a balanced nutrition with 80% meat composition. Furthermore, the type of feed must also match the lifestyle and convictions of the person. Feeding your dog can be rather complex and you would have to acquire a lot of knowledge in advance, but if you do gain the relevant knowledge, you are able to one hundred per cent determine the protein source and the quality of the feed yourself.   Breakdown  Dry Food  Little effort Increased water requirement  High tooth abrasion Chewing apparatus is strengthened The amount of food is lower due to high nutrient density Wet Food  Little effort  Hardly any increased water requirement  Little tooth abrasion  Stress on chewing apparatus  Amount of food must be higher due to the low nutrient density  Raw Food  High effort  No increased water requirement  High tooth wear (if bones are fed)  Chewing apparatus is strengthened (if bones and cartilage are fed)  The amount of feed depends on the individual components  

Your Dog’s Nutritional Needs  Dogs need several different types of nutrients and minerals to survive. Dog food should always contain amino acids (found in protein), fatty acids, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals and water. Every dog's needs will be slightly different depending on size, breed and age. Dogs cannot survive without protein making it the key element of their diet. Protein provides the building blocks for any dog and is essential for healthy skin, nails, muscles and bones. As dogs' bodies don't produce protein on their own, it is vital that protein is obtained through their diet daily. Many dogs are, however, allergic to chicken so make sure they are getting their protein in other ways. One product that is sure to offer your pooch their dietary requirement of protein without overloading with chicken is our Fish 4 Dogs range that is packed with Omega 3 and those vital vitamins and minerals! Check it out in-store or online here! It might sound obvious but make sure your dog always has a constant supply of water. Water makes up for 70 to 80 per cent of a mature dog’s lean body mass. It’s essential in dissolving and transporting nutrients, regulating body temperature and flushing waste out of the body, so keep them hydrated! Dogs are omnivores so they use carbohydrates as a source of energy, many carbohydrates have a lot of important fibres which will help keep your four-legged friend’s digestive system regular, aiding your dog to fight obesity. Many larger dogs are prone to obesity so don't overfeed your pooch. If you are worried about your dog's weight, then check out Barking Heads and their product Fat Dog Slim, made with only natural ingredients, this reduced fat recipe is solely aimed at dogs that need to lose a few pounds. You can have a look here or purchase in-store.  Dogs require different vitamins to humans to maintain a healthy life. Vitamin E supports a dog’s immune system, and Vitamin A helps to support a healthy coat and skin. They are found in a lot of vegetables so if your dog food doesn’t have them present, make sure you’re adding them in. Minerals like calcium and magnesium will improve your dog’s bodily function and prevent disorders and deficiencies.  Whilst fat is often seen as a demon, it is key to any diet. Dietary fat often derived from animals’ fats and seed oils are present in the majority of dog food. These essential fats help maintain a healthy coat and promote good joint health! If you are looking for a dog food that is packed full with fatty acids like DHA and EPA that promote brain and eye development then check out Go! Solutions in-store or online now! Find all of our ranges of dry and wet dog food to help your dog live a happy, healthy life now!