Aiding handicapped individuals, hunting, herding, pulling loads, protection, assisting police military and companionship, these are just some of the big help of dogs in human’s life. As quoted by Roger Caras, “dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole”. Dogs are not only man’s best friend but they are also very efficient companions; this is why their health is very important. Maintaining your dog’s good health is very important to ensure good performance and also longer life, and to do so, owners must keep in mind that the food they feed their pets plays a very crucial part in the health of their pet. Different companies offer various kinds of dog food that caters all the needs of your pets.

About 15,000 years ago, dogs which are form of gray wolves were domesticated. Over the years, other breeds were developed and now there are more or less a hundred of different dog breeds. The estimated population of dogs in the world in 2001 is a whopping 400 million that includes all types of breeds, most especially the toy breeds or toy dogs. Toy dogs have become popular over the years because of their small size even when they are mature. These dogs have the exact characteristics for people who want a dog pet but have small yards or lives in cities or apartments. There are also sporting, non-sporting, working, terrier, hound and herding dog breeds. Different breeds of dogs have different needs and this is why owners must take in consideration in selecting the right kind of food for his/her dog.

Also, an important consideration in choosing the best dog food one should feed his pet is the dog’s age. Keep in mind that a puppy’s food may not provide the nutrients necessary for an adult dog much that an adult dog food does not have the elements necessary during the puppies’ growth period. You must also remember to include your dogs’ preferences in the choice of food you feed them.

One must remember that a healthy, well balanced and nutritious dog food promotes healthy skin and coat, strong well developed bones, bright clear eyes, firmer stools, well defined muscle tone, quality of life and longevity, healthy teeth and gums, fewer trips to your Vet, no bad odor, fewer digestive problems, energy, vitality, fewer behavior problems and over all health. On the other hand, a dog fed with an inappropriate dog food is often prone to cancers, weakened immune system, liver failure, sluggish behavior, putrid gas, diarrhea, dull coat and heavy shedding, epilepsy, vomiting, ear infections, compromised heart and kidneys, stunted growth and weakened bones, bad breath, bowel disease, diabetes, cystitis, cataracts, hypertension, build up in the eyes, arthritis, countless allergies, etc.

Raw food, commercial food, or even homemade food is some of the types of dog food we may feed our dogs. The commercial dog food or store-bought dog foods also come in two forms, namely the dry form and the wet canned form. Pet owners must remember that in selecting the food for their pet, make sure to look on the labels of the product and make sure that it has all the nutrients needed to support your dog’s nourishment. One must not be lured with all the marketing tactics of other brands in buying your desired product.

Another type of dog food is the raw dog food. Raw dog food is feeding your pet raw meat and imitating the diet of animals in the wild; however, others do not agree with this, and believes that feeding your dog with raw meat is putting your pet on danger of getting food-borne diseases. If pet owners are confused on selecting the right commercial dog food and is not very confident with the raw dog food, this third type might just be your best option, which is homemade dog food. With homemade dog food, you make the food your dog yourself. You are in full control of the food that your pet eats and you can assure that your dog gets the right amount of food and nutrients needed.

Despite these various feeding options, one must always remember that what is at stake in choosing the dog food to feed your pets is your dogs’ health. So whether your Hundefutter -as they call dog food in German -is a commercial dog food like the Select Gold Hundefutter, raw food or homemade, so long as it meets your dog’s nutritional requirements, then it is the best food for your pet.

The author operates a veterinary clinic in Dresden, Germany. To ensure that his dog patients get the ideal care they need, he only feeds them with the best Hundefutter (dog food) proper for their age and breed. He strongly recommends Select Gold Hundefutter.

Finding the best type of food for their pet dogs is the most common problem dog owners raise to their veterinarians. However, as the market for dog foods provides a vast number of choices, dog owners often find it difficult to select the best one for their four-legged friends. As such, this article hopes to provide assistance in searching the best food for your pet dogs.

Firstly, the best source of information regarding the type of food you must feed your dogs would be family and friends who have pets as well-you may enquire from them their experiences in such field. Moreover, the breeder of the pup you have can also provide you information on the best types of food you may feed your pet. Also, a veterinarian may also provide you important facts on the nutritional needs that may be required among the ingredients of your pet’s food.

Aside from such, your dog’s age should also be looked into in the selection of its food. The type of food that dogs eat must meet the nutritional requirements for their age. Dog food specially formulated for adult dogs may not have the dietary necessities of a puppy as much as dog foods catered for pups may include ingredients not appropriate for adult dogs. Aside from such, dogs also differ in body condition. Some may be overweight while others, underweight. Hence, depending on the body condition, the nutritional necessities needed by one may be more than what the other may need. Keep in mind that when it comes to nutrition, one size does not fit all.

In choosing the appropriate dog food, always consider the medical condition of your dog. Different dog foods cater to different dog conditions such as diabetes, allergies, cancer, or digestive difficulties, etc.

The most important factor, though, that would help you in choosing the most appropriate dog food for your pet is its breed. Various types of dog food are specially formulated for specific dog breeds. Labradors, German Shepherds, Irish Wolfhounds, Great Danes, and other larger breeds of dogs, for example, are the market for foods rich in glucosamine and calcium. Also, your dog’s preference also comes into play in the selection of dog food. It does not necessarily mean that two dogs with the same breed would always have the same preference for food.

Then, when selecting which brand of dog food you will have, you must first check on the label. Check on the ingredients listed and avoid those that include mostly “food fillers” like wheat and grain. Make sure that you check that first before looking into the products design which will be projected in a way that adds commercial appeal.

Generally, as the abovementioned criteria suggests, the nutritional facts of the type of dog food that you are to select for your pet is the most important factor to consider. For the brands of dog food that may include all those aforementioned factors, you may try Hundefutter products manufactured by from Germany. An example of such product is the Royal Canin Hundefutter especially designed to meet the nutritional needs of you dog.

Finally, always remember that you are the boss. You want to give your dog the best time on earth, don’t you? When your dog is healthy and happy he will be your trusted companion for a much longer time.

Alexandra Sherbrooke is a pet lover who has a PitBull. She sees to it that she provides the healthiest dog food or Hundefutter for her pet. Royal Canin Hundefutter is a constant part of her “to buy list” as she treats this brand as the best in the market.