HEALTHIEST DOG FOOD--- BEST DOG FOODS

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How to Decide on the Best Dog Food Brands for Your Pup

© Getty Images Picking a great kibble for your puppy or dog can look daunting, but luckily experts have a few tips for when you're scanning the brand labels. Here's what grain-free, human-grade, and complete and balanced really mean.

Just take a walk down the dog food aisle and you'll realize that pet nutrition contains just as many buzzwords as the human kind: Grain-Free! Human-Grade! Healthy-Weight! Sorting through the noise and picking great kibble for your pup can feel daunting, but here, experts are sharing solid tips to make it all easier.

If you're just looking for a few quick recommendations, brands like Purina Pro Plan, Hill's Science, and Royal Canine might be good picks for your pup. But if you really want to learn the ins and outs of healthy foods, https://amzn.to/3ixPxsd,  for your dog, stick with us.

4 Things to Know Before You Shop for Dog Food

Loop in your vet. He or she can provide personal recommendations based on your pup's unique needs.

Look for the words "complete and balanced." They signal that the dog food should provide all the nutrients your pet needs in sufficient amounts. "Holistic" does not mean the same thing!

Or the "AAFCO nutritional adequacy statement," which you may also find in small print on the back or side of the packaging. AAFCO stands for the Association of American Feed Control Officials, and it provides nutritional recommendations. Anything marked as "intermittent or supplemental" won't do the trick.

Get ready to measure. Obesity poses a big problem in the pet world. Using the right portion size for your dog's age, size, and activity level can help, so keep a dedicated measuring cup with the food instead of leaving out a full bowl. Make it fun and pour kibble into a puzzle or "slow feed" container, which doubles as a cool enrichment activity.

The World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) also provides a few additional tips for curious shoppers. Click here for more detailed advice on buying dog food.

When to Shop Premium vs. Affordable

"There are so many good dog foods out there," says Renee M. Streeter, DVM, DACVN, Veterinary Clinical Nutritionist at the Liverpool Village Animal Hospital in Liverpool, New York. "The most important thing to me is the company's quality control practices."

Those include employing a board-certified nutritionist to formulate the diet, testing the nutrient content and adequacy, and assessing for contaminants. Lots of major brands do this, but dog food still comes in all different price levels with various claims as to why some cost more than others.

Expensive varieties often boast about their ingredient lists. All dog foods, https://amzn.to/3ixPxsd,  must name everything that's in them in descending order by weight, but ingredient lists do not tell you anything about quality.

Manufacturers can also influence the order by splitting up similar components (e.g., flaked corn and ground corn) or adjusting the moisture. For example, dry "meat meal" actually contains more meat than water-filled "whole meats," according to the American Kennel Club.

"Many people are concerned about foods containing by-products instead of whole meat," Streeter adds. "However, some parts of the animal that are considered by-products, such as liver, can be very nutritious."

The two biggest (and most expensive) buzzwords in pet food right now are grain-free and human-grade, but don't feel like you have to spend more.

"There is no reliable evidence that suggests that it is harmful to feed grains as a group to dogs," the Clinical Nutrition Team at Tufts University Cummings Veterinary Medical Center wrote on its blog. "Whole grains, rather than being 'fillers,' can contribute valuable nutrients."

As for human-grade, this marketing term should signify that the food and all of its ingredients meets federal regulations for human consumption. However, AAFCO states, "Human-grade does not automatically equal nutritional safety for pets."

Ultimately, choosing a formula comes down to what you and your vet think is right for your pet, but both premium and budget-friendly versions can contain healthy carbs, proteins, and fats.

How Does My Dog's Size Factor Into His Food? https://amzn.to/3ixPxsd 

Dog owners should also consider the right food for the size of their pets. Puppies do need specific puppy food, as they're growing very quickly.

Large-breed puppies in particular need more nutrients that support musculoskeletal growth, according to the AKC. Royal Canin makes one for puppies expected to reach 50 to 100 pounds in adulthood.

© Getty Images Samoyed Puppies Eating Dog Food

As for adult dogs, you can buy food labeled "for all life stages," but feeding sedentary pets a calorie-rich mix also fit for young pups may contribute to weight gain. Smaller breeds can do better with smaller kibbles, but the super-specific distinctions become less important with dogs when they're older.

Is Wet or Dry Dog Food Better?

"Wet food is not necessarily better, but it's typically more palatable and the excess water it provides may help keep dogs hydrated," Streeter says. "Including at least some in the diet is reasonable."

Here's a quick tip for when you're scanning the cans: A named ingredient like "Beef Dog Food" , https://amzn.to/3ixPxsd, means the product must contain at least 70% beef. However, names like "Beef Entree" or "Beef Dinner" only have to contain 25%. "With Beef" or "Beef-Flavored" doesn't have to contain much at all.

How to Deal With Weight Loss and Sensitivities

Uh oh: Your dog's weigh-in at the vet didn't go so well. Now what? While the doc may prescribe a special therapeutic diet, many brands sell food intended for chubbier pups as well.

"Weight-loss foods should be formulated with a lower-calorie density and may contain higher concentrations of other nutrients such as protein," Streeter says. "Often, they are also higher in fiber, which should help them feel more full."

For example, Purina ONE SmartBlend Healthy Weight Dog Food , https://amzn.to/3ixPxsd, contains 15% fewer calories than its regular ONE SmartBlend formula.

© Getty Images Fat Pug

If you believe your dog suffers from a skin or stomach issue, https://amzn.to/3ixPxsd,  the first thing you should do is consult your vet. The problem might stem from something other than diet.

Food marketed toward dogs with digestive sensitivities may limit certain ingredients or alter nutrient levels, but it depends on the company. Streeter advises seeking out formulas that contain omega-3 fatty acids in the form of fish oils to help soothe irritable skin, and switching to a food with new ingredients for tummy upset. Hill's Science Diet Adult Sensitive Stomach & Skin Dog Food has hundreds of fans on Amazon.

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Best dry dog food, according to experts and veterinarians

Finding the best dog food for your furry friend takes effort, of course, but the convenience, price and assortment of dry dog food may make it a good option to consider for your pup. In commercials, the dry dog food kibbles hit the bowl and a good pup comes running — every pet owner might want that kind of love story for their dog, and dry dog food also sports some unique benefits for dogs (and their owners). “There are many benefits of dry food,” says Shelly Ferris, DVM, the regional director of Petco Veterinary Services. “It comes in several varieties. It doesn’t spoil easily. It keeps dogs’ teeth clean in between vet visits and you can easily transition your pet to new foods if needed.”

IN THIS ARTICLE Dry dog food shopping tips | Best dry dog food,,,   https://amzn.to/3ixPxsd

“For humans, it’s much easier to clean out a bowl and dry food can be left out for a longer time,” says Kristin Neuhauser, DVM, of Noah’s Ark Animal Clinic. “For dogs, the main benefit to being on a commercially-prepared dry dog food is that they are eating a complete and balanced diet.” Dry dog food, in essence, marries convenience and nutrition as much as possible. But which dry dog food should you get? We consulted experts about the differences between the leading dry dog foods and how to pick the best dry dog food for your canine companion.

Related How to shop for dry dog food

As with anything else regarding your pet, a good place to start is talking to your veterinarian — in this instance, about your dog’s dietary requirements. Then look at the ingredient list on a bag of dry dog food. https://amzn.to/3ixPxsd “You can easily tailor a dry food diet to your pup's unique needs because it is convenient and available in a variety of flavors, formulas — from life-stage and breed-specific to weight management,” says Ferris.

While your dog can’t speak, their body can tell you a lot about whether or not you’ve picked the right brand of dry food, too. “Dogs should have stools that are of normal consistency, formed and relatively easy to pick up,” says Neuhauser, who also points out that a healthy coat and skin, and maintaining weight — not gaining or losing too much — are signs of good health.

When shopping for dog food, the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO), a nonprofit that helps set standards for animal feed and pet foods, recommends that you read the label, select a food based on your pet’s breed, age and health, and follow the manufacturer’s feeding guidelines. When it comes to ingredients like preservatives, Ferris suggests dog owners look for natural options over synthetic ones. “Natural preservatives such as vitamin C, vitamin E and oils of rosemary, clove or other spices are better alternatives to chemical preservatives such as BHA, BHT and ethoxyquin, which are often added in dog foods,” says Ferris.

Related Best dry dog food to shop

To help give you a glance at some of the leading dog foods that are widely available and highly-rated, we compiled them below.

1. Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Adult Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog, https://amzn.to/3ixPxsd,  Food

This dry food from Blue Buffalo is a little bit of the farmers’ market with peas, sweet potatoes, blueberries and cranberries mixed in with the first three ingredients: deboned chicken, chicken meal and brown rice.

2. Castor & Pollux Organix Organic Chicken & Oatmeal Recipe

Organic free-range chicken, the first ingredient, is blended in this dog food with a mix of organic superfoods: flaxseeds, blueberries and coconut oil.

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3. Eukanuba Small Breed Senior Dry Dog Food, https://amzn.to/3ixPxsd

The small kibbles in this dry food from Eukanuba help prevent tartar build-up on your dog’s teeth. Chicken by-product meal is the first ingredient in the food designed for senior (over 7 years old), small breed dogs.

Related 4. Hill’s Bioactive Recipe Fit + Radiant

Designed for large and giant breed adult dogs (we’re talking over 110 pounds), the first ingredient in Hill’s Bioactive Recipe Fit + Radiant is a lean protein: chicken. This dry food also has carrots to help promote a healthy digestive system and coconut oil for a more glossy coat.

5. Instinct Be Natural Real Beef & Barley Recipe

Beef is the first ingredient for the Instinct Be Natural Real Beef & Barley Recipe that is free of corn grain (it’s not grain-free, Barley being its third ingredient), soy and wheat. The pieces are also lightly coated in freeze-dried raw beef.

6. Nutro Ultra Large Breed Chicken Dry Dog Food, https://amzn.to/3ixPxsd, 

With a little bit of surf (salmon meal) and turf (chicken, chicken meal, lamb meal), this dry food also has a new blend of superfoods that includes coconut, chia and kale.

Related 7. Nutro Wholesome Essentials Healthy Weight Lamb & Rice Recipe

In this option from Nutro, lamb is the first ingredient, a lean protein meant to help your pup lose or maintain weight. It’s also free of corn, wheat, soy protein and artificial colors and preservatives.

8. Purina Pro Plan Focus Adult Sensitive Skin & Stomach Salmon & Rice Formula Dry Dog Food

Dogs can have sensitive stomachs, too, and this option from Purina is meant to aid pups with tummy troubles. Salmon, barley and ground rice are the first three ingredients in the dry dog food that is free of artificial colors and flavors.

9. Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Gastrointestinal Moderate Calorie

Even dogs can struggle with being regular — and this dry dog food from Royal Canin aims to help. A blend of rice, chicken fat and beet pulp make this a lower-calorie option. Chicken by-product meal provides fiber and fish oil helps with indigestion and keeping everything moving.

Related 10. WholeHearted Lamb & Brown Rice Recipe with Whole Grains Dry Dog Food

Lamb, lamb meal and whole grain brown rice, https://amzn.to/3ixPxsd,  are the top ingredients in WholeHearted’s dry food. It’s also got salmon oil to help keep your dog’s coat healthy.

11. VICTOR Hi-Pro Plus Formula Dry Dog Food

This protein-packed dry food from VICTOR is made for carnivores with beef meal, chicken fat, pork meal, chicken meal and menhaden fish meal, alongside grain sorghum — those making up the first six ingredients.

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CORRECTION (July 20, 2020, 11:55 a.m.): An earlier version of this article misspelled the last name of the regional director of Petco Veterinary Services. She is Shelly Ferris, not Farris.

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Covid-hit dog food, https://amzn.to/3ixPxsd,  group Arrow sees profits tumble 39%

Meat-processing group Arrow, https://amzn.to/3ixPxsd, which had one of its plants shut down this month due to a Covid-19 outbreak among staff, saw pretax profits slump 39 per cent to €11.6 million last year.

More than 50 cases of Covid-19 have been detected among workers at the Arrow Group-owned Irish Dog Foods plant in Naas, Co Kildare. The plant remains shut.

New consolidated accounts filed by the Arrow Group show the fall in profits came despite a 7 per cent rise in sales to €591.45 million in the year to December 29th last.

The group, which is headquartered in Co Waterford, is owned by brothers Peter, John and Michael Queally, who also own Dawn Meats.

Numbers employed by the group hit 2,021 last year, with more than 130 staff added to the operation. Staff costs rose to €82.8 million from €76.5 million the previous year.

On the group’s 2019 performance, the directors said it had been a “positive trading year”.

“The increase [in revenue] is attributable to increased activity with new and existing customers and new product lines across all key markets,” they said.

Underlying profit had been impacted by asset impairments, they said. “However, the group continues to benefit from positive customer sentiment and an increased market share.”

Addressing the business impact of Covid-19, directors said: “We are closely monitoring the potential impact of Covid-19 on our 2020 financial results and cash flows, and have prepared a detailed risk assessment and projections in light of this. Our top priority remains the health and safety of our staff and customers.”

The accounts were signed off before the Irish Dog Foods shutdown.

The group said in the report that it was taking “a number of measures to reduce any potential impact, including adjusting capacity to current demand and preserving cash”.

“Measures have been taken to ensure operations adhere to current HSE guidelines,” they said, adding that directors believed “the group is well placed to manage the impact of Covid-19 and indeed manage all business risks successfully”.

The group last year paid out a dividend of €1.85 million, after a dividend payout of €7.5 million in 2018. Pay for six directors – mostly members of the Queally family – totalled €927,675.

The directors said that in light of the impact of Covid-19 and Brexit, the group would continue to focus on the control of costs and broadening its customer base across all regions.  https://amzn.to/3ixPxsd

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