What’s the best food for my dog? Doggy diet questions answered

Serving up a nutritious meal for your dog has benefits that go way beyond tasting good. 

Giving your dog a balanced diet will keep them happy, healthy and in good shape, but finding the right food can be a real headache. Dave Tweedle from My Family Vets answers common questions about getting the right diet for your dog. 

Is it worth paying more for better quality food? 

Because there are so many products on the market, it can be really tricky to pick which one to go with. Prices of dog food vary wildly, and it can be easy to get caught out by attractive branding or bargain-basement prices. 

When it comes to picking healthy, nutritious food for your pooch, you get what you pay for. The products at the more expensive end of the scale have generally been well researched and contain nutritionally balanced vitamins and minerals. 

Cheaper dog food is often made from less nutritious, harder to digest ingredients. This means that your dog will have to eat a lot more food to get nutritional value out of it, which will result in lots more poos. 

How much food should I give my dog? 

This will vary depending on breed, age, health and lifestyle, as well as the calorific content of the food. You can normally find quantity guidelines on the packaging, but you can ask your vet about how much food to give to your dog if you’re not sure. 

It’s always best to weight out your dog’s food before you give it to them, to ensure they are getting the right amount of food for every meal. 

Wet food vs dry food

Dry food is slightly superior to wet in that it's better for teeth and your dog will do smaller, firmer poos.

Introduce your dog to a range of different flavours and textures, and take note of the one they respond best to. As long as the food is nutritious, there are no right or wrong answers; the best flavours and textures are the ones your dog likes! 

It's always sensible to monitor their dog's weight and adjust the amount of food given accordingly.

Is my dog getting the right nutrients?

If your dog is full of energy, has a shiny coat and is a healthy weight, they are more than likely getting the right nutrients in their diet. 

To make sure that your dog is eating healthy nutritious food, always read the ingredients. Pet food manufacturers are required to list their ingredients by weight, so by choosing food that has fish, meat or egg at the top of the list, you can be sure that your dog is getting a protein-rich diet. 

Look out for additives, preservatives and ingredients that don’t sound like natural ingredients. It’s worth bearing in mind that Vitamin E and C are good natural preservatives.

My dog has a medical problem, will changing his diet help? 

If your suspect your dog is suffering from any medical problems, you should always speak to your vet. 

If your dog is diagnosed with certain conditions, such as sensitive skin or stomach problems, your vet may advise that you change their diet in order to help alleviate some of the symptoms. 

If your dog has special dietary requirements, My Family Vets online shop has a comprehensive range of quality, vet-approved food. 

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