Top 10 Dog Food Brands 

Update July 2008: Canidae has changed their formula and many dogs are getting sick.
Natural Balance is a good quality food as well as Artemis. 

Whole Dog Journal is a good place to get a brochure that lists common brands of food and what is good or bad about them.

http://www.whole-dog-journal.com/

With so many dog foods available on the market, how can you pick the right one for your dog? Every dog food has ingredients listed on the back. The ingredient that is listed at the top of the list is the one that has the highest percentage in the food. This list should be the first thing you look at when buying food for your dog.

The best dog foods have lot's of real meet and and vegetables listed at the top of ingredients list. You should avoid any foods that have meat meal - such as fish meal or chicken meal or any other types of meal.

Meals are just substances coming from animals and you can never be sure where are they coming from. They could come from the fur or feathers, maybe from the talons. This alone should be enough to stay away from foods that have meat meals listed as ingredients.

One simple rule of thumb is: Better quality the dog's food is, better your dog's coat will be, fewer digestive problems and firmer stools he'll have.

The best way for you to find great dog foods is to do your own dog food research. World best pet nutrition experts say best dog food is made from human grade ingredients like meat, whole grains and vegetables. Natural and organic foods are the best types of food to use.

Ignoring your dog's diet is like calling for troubles. The only true way to know which food is the best for your dog is to try it. Go to your local pet store and look at the ingredients lists. Choose few you think are the best (or even better, consult with an expert or a vet) and try it with your dog for a week. Carefully observe your dog.

Does he like new food? What is his energy level? Any digestion problems? Is coat shiny and looks healthy? Try to spot the difference from previous food.

If your dog get's ill or has digestion problems, change the food and observe him more closely. If problems don't go away, consult with a vet. Have food details (ingredient list, age, manufacturer) handy.

OK, to recapture:

* Only choose quality dog food (might be a bit pricy)
* You can see the quality of the food by looking at the ingredient list
* Quality dog food has real meat and vegetables listed as top ingredients
* Avoid food with meat meal substances
* Test few different dog foods (7-10 days each) and observe your dog closely

Ignoring what kind of the food you're feeding dog with is like pulling the trigger. It might not show immediately, but your dog could be dying... 

Posted 04/03/2007