Today, we are all aware that nutrition plays a vital role in our health and that of our four-legged companions. However, choosing the right dog food from the various options available isn't always easy. Homemade diets, raw food (BARF), kibble, wet food—which is the best food for your furry friend? We'll explain everything!
Homemade dog food
Homemade dog food is also called a "home-prepared diet." It absolutely does not mean giving your dog table scraps, as this would be unsuitable.
If you choose to feed your dog a homemade diet, it means you'll be preparing their food yourself. This will require taking the time to cook a little, and above all, ensuring that the food you prepare contains all the nutrients your dog needs (protein, carbohydrates, vitamins, etc.). Therefore, you should do some research to learn about canine nutrition.
The main advantage of homemade food is that you know exactly what your dog is eating. However, it's difficult to create the perfect meal that precisely meets a dog's nutritional needs. Furthermore, it's essential to be familiar with the list of foods that are toxic to pets.
Finally, there's a greater risk of nutritional deficiencies with homemade food than with commercial dog food, for example. Furthermore, preparing meals takes time. Adding supplements will almost certainly be necessary to balance nutritional intake.
This option is reserved for highly involved teachers who have the time to do thorough research.
BARF dog food
The BARF diet for dogs is a variation of a homemade diet. It has been popular for several years. BARF stands for "Biologically Appropriate Raw Food," which could be translated as "Biologically Appropriate Raw Food." This feeding method aims to be as close as possible to the diet a dog would have if it were not domesticated, that is, a carnivore's diet. Thus, the BARF diet consists mainly of raw meat and meaty bones, supplemented with some fruits or berries.
This feeding method is not easy to implement and has several drawbacks. Like a homemade diet, it requires the owner to be educated about nutrition in order to create the most balanced ration possible. It also necessitates the ability to store a large quantity of meat, preferably in a freezer. Since the meat is given raw, it is essential to maintain the cold chain to prevent bacterial growth.
There are risks of deficiencies, particularly in calcium, trace elements, and vitamins (A and D), which can have consequences for your dog's health. Furthermore, the BARF diet represents a significant expense and is therefore not suitable for most people. It is also not appropriate for all dogs. The BARF diet will be unsuitable for an older dog or one with kidney failure due to its high protein content. It is also not suitable for a growing puppy or a nursing female. This diet is also not suitable for a sporting dog.
Dry food: kibble
This is the preferred feeding method for dog owners today. Feeding your dog kibble is easy and convenient. It's well-balanced and complete, easy to measure, and easy to store. Furthermore, there are now many varieties available, allowing you to find the kibble that best suits your dog. The important thing is to choose premium quality kibble. Avoid the cheapest options, where quality is often lacking.
Furthermore, kibble helps to promote a dog's oral health. It encourages the dog to chew, which helps fight plaque.
Extruded kibble or cold-pressed kibble?
Most kibble is prepared using the extrusion process. This involves cooking the mixture of ingredients at a high temperature (between 120 and 150°).
Pressed kibble, on the other hand, is made using a traditional cold-pressing process. The cooking is slower and carried out at a lower temperature, which better preserves the nutritional qualities of the ingredients. It is also easier to digest. Pressed kibble is therefore particularly recommended for dogs with digestive issues, such as bulldogs.
Wet food: pâté
Wet food refers to canned food. Often preferred for small dog breeds, canned food is also a good way to add variety to your furry friend's diet. It's generally more palatable for dogs and has the advantage of being high in water content. Therefore, it's recommended for picky eaters or dogs that drink very little.
If you find dry food monotonous, you can add a little wet food to make it more palatable. However, wet food has a slight drawback: it tends to promote plaque buildup. Therefore, if you feed your pet only wet food, be sure to take care of their oral hygiene , either with specially formulated treats or by brushing their teeth!
Should you change your dog's food often?
We sometimes tend to think that it's boring and sad for a dog to eat the same kibble every day. In reality, this isn't the case at all. Dogs like routine, which is why it's recommended to feed them at fixed times. Furthermore, it's not recommended to frequently change a dog's food. In fact, it's rather a bad thing, as it disrupts their digestion. Finally, if you're still not convinced, keep in mind that taste is the least developed sense in your four-legged friend.
If you need to change your dog's food, it's still possible, but you absolutely must make a gradual transition. This means introducing the new food progressively, in increasingly larger quantities in your dog's bowl. This change in diet should therefore take place over several days so that their digestive system can adjust smoothly.
We hope our article answers your questions about your dog's diet. If you have any questions or would like to share your thoughts, please feel free to leave a comment!
