When a puppy arrives at our home we want to give him the best, that’s why we look for a complete food for puppies that keeps him active and very healthy.
But when it comes to buying, the offers are so wide that we can get dizzy and in the end choose out of exhaustion, even if it is not the most appropriate one.
What do we have to look for to choose the most suitable puppy food?
There are several factors that we must take into account when choosing.
In this article we tell you what they are:
Know your puppy’s nutritional needs and requirements
Depending on your age, you need nutrients that allow you to develop muscle and bone tissues quickly.
To do this, its size must be considered, whether it is a small, medium or large breed. Their health is also a priority when choosing the most suitable puppy food.
Even knowing if you are allergic or intolerant to any type of food is an important factor to consider.
Nutrients that puppy food should contain Once we are clear about what we are looking for, we must read the labels on the balanced food containers.
Those that should not be missing are the following: Proteins, there is a wide variety of sources of this food group.
These include beef, lamb, chicken or turkey. Carbohydrates like cereals.
Fats of animal and vegetable origin. Minerals and vitamins. The amounts of these nutrients are essential for the growth of the puppy; they must have the appropriate percentage to meet the needs of the age and size of the puppy.
In addition to checking that these food groups are included in the formula of the balanced food that we are choosing, we must also ensure that the origin is of quality.
As in humans the quality of nutrients is essential, balanced feeds are identified with the Premium or Super Premium label.
Substances that a balanced puppy food should not contain
At the same time, for our puppy to grow up healthy we must check that it does not contain substances that could harm its long-term health. These include certain chemicals such as propylene glycol and artificial dyes.
Some foods derived from corn, wheat and soy should also be avoided because they can cause allergies or simply make digestion difficult.
Is wet and balanced food better than dry food?
Both types of consistency have advantages for our puppy’s nutrition.
Since dry and balanced food is very practical to use and helps keep teeth healthy. While wet and balanced foods are easy for puppies to chew because they are softer and have a lot of flavor.
The ideal is to achieve a balance between both types of consistency. Follow the puppy’s growth.
Like humans, dogs have their own metabolism and, depending on their activity level, their required caloric intake, for example, may vary.
Thus, an overfed dog can convert extra energy into fat, which is not advisable because it can cause cardiovascular, respiratory and skeletal diseases.
The puppy stage lasts approximately one year. During this year there is a big change in your body that requires adequate nutrients for the growth of muscles, bones and the development of the immune and cognitive systems.
During this stage, your diet should contain a high level of protein, calcium, phosphorus, vitamin D, omega fatty acids and other essential nutrients.
Food portion sizes Portions must also be indicated and maintained over time so that your weight does not vary suddenly. To know if you are within the ideal weight range, you just need to feel the ribs easily, that is, they are only covered by a light layer of fat.
Physical performance is a parameter to consider in the type of balanced food to choose, because those that are dedicated to hunting, for example, need a higher percentage of proteins and fats than other dogs that have a calmer or inactive life.
Puppies who, due to their breed, are very calm, prefer to sleep or move as little as possible, should have a reduced food ration and avoid treats or treats. The breed of the puppies is a strong indicator of their preferences or nutritional needs.
Small breeds, for example, have a faster metabolism than large breeds. Therefore, they burn much more energy in less time, needing a higher percentage of calories per day.
On the other hand, large breed puppies have a slower metabolism, but need a higher percentage of protein to maintain their organic structure.
What types of balanced dog food are there?
At Omnipets you will find the ideal formula for small breed puppies under one year old and another for medium breed puppies.