Your Guide For All Things Food For Your Very Important Puppy!

Ever get stressed out with the endless food options for your dog? We at Very Important Puppies put together a breakdown of the five main types of dog food! No matter which type you choose, the most important factor in your decision should be finding a food that meets all of your dog's nutritional needs!

#1: Kibble/Dry

Dry food is the most common and affordable type of dog food, which is partly why it’s so popular! In addition, there are many benefits to using kibble as the staple of your dog's diet, like lasting a long time, and not needing to be refrigerated –– and most importantly for you, less time cleaning up after a mess!

Kibble also boasts many health benefits! For example, dry food is great for your dog’s dental health, since chewing crunchy dry food helps to reduce tartar buildup and keep clean breath. When it comes to choosing a specific dry food, read the ingredients carefully, and choose a brand that uses wholesome food as its primary ingredient.

#2: Canned/Wet

We know it doesn’t look delicious to us, but believe it or not, many dogs love canned, or wet food! It has a long shelf life and is super easy to find at any supermarket, but it can be expensive. Keep in mind though, most canned food is about 75 percent water, meaning there can be less nutritional content.

A good rule of thumb is: ”the higher the water content, the less nutrient content, so the more food your dog must consume in order to get the nutritional value his body needs.” If you decide to feed your dog canned food, it's best to go with a kind that's labeled "100% nutritionally complete."

When it comes to healthiness, canned food can cause dental problems such as bad breath, and tooth decay. Compared to dry food, you definitely don’t want to keep wet canned food out for too long, as it can lose its nutritional value far quicker.

#3: Semi-Moist

Commercial dog foods shaped like pork chops, burgers, or other meaty foods are called semi-moist foods. These kinds of foods are the least nutritional of all dog foods and contain many artificial flavors and colorings. They can be given to your dog as an occasional treat, but they should not be considered a diet in themselves, as they do not provide the nutrition that your pup requires.

#4: Home Cooked

If you find yourself worried about what’s in your dog’s food, taking complete control with home-cooked diets can be a great option for your furry friend! To start, consult with your vet to find the exact nutritional needs your dog requires, and you can begin customizing healthy options from there!

A home-cooked diet is by far the most time consuming and expensive option, however, it’s a great opportunity to bond with your cutie and have peace of mind that your doggo is the healthiest canine around town! Check out our previous articles that share information on finding recipes!

#5: Raw

A raw diet consists of raw meat, preferably with some bones (never cooked bones, only raw) and organs mixed in, as bones are a natural source of phosphorus and calcium! This type of diet works well for many dogs since dogs have short intestinal tracts and strong stomach acids, both of which make it easy for them to consume and digest raw food. Before transitioning your dog to a raw diet, talk to your veterinarian about the benefits and risks since every dog is different!

#6: Big Producers Vs. Small Producers

The most important thing above all is no matter what kind of food you’re purchasing, to know where it comes from. It’s great to support local pet food producers, however, it’s crucial that you ensure they keep high-quality control on their products.

Although larger companies may sometimes appear secretive, they are more likely to employ real food scientists, animal nutritionists and veterinary professionals to design their products. They also have more funding to ensure safety and quality control procedures, as well as operate testing laboratories.

Does this mean that larger companies make better food? Not necessarily. But it means that you should always be doing your research to know what happens behind the nutrition label, big or small. Never be embarrassed to ask questions; anything to protect our loving dogs!