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Different Types of Dog Food Formulas

Proper nutrition is essential to maintaining optimal health. The responsibility of providing a balanced, nutritional diet for your dog belongs to you, as a pet owner. Fortunately, the manufacturers of dog food have streamlined the process for pet owners by providing a healthy array of specially formulated dog food products to meet the needs of our pets.

Dog foods are available in a wide variety of brands and sizes. They are sold at most pet stores, supermarkets, discount stores, and even in the veterinarian’s office. Four basic categories exist for dog food products including dry, moist, semi-moist, and special diet.

Dry dog foods today probably look better and smell better than they ever have before. In fact, they have been designed to include all of the essential nutrients that dogs require in order to stay healthy. Today’s offering of dry dog foods provides a complete, balanced meal for your pet.

The ease of preparation and storage helps to make dry dog food one of the most popular ways to feed puppies and dogs. Typically, dry dog food is simply poured into the dog’s dish. Each package usually identifies the suggested amount to use based upon a dog’s size and age.

Dry dog foods today are more palatable than ever.

Providing a balanced diet is easy with dry dog food, especially since manufacturers have created varieties designed for various types of dogs. Specifically, pet owners can choose from among the following basic categories: puppy, adult, senior, and dogs with special needs. Some types of dry fog food suggest that water be added to create gravy.

Dry feeds that target puppies typically include higher calorie content in order to accommodate the puppy’s growth and higher level of energy. Dry feeds that target adult dogs typically include a slightly lower calorie content in order to accommodate the dog’s slightly less active lifestyle as well as the slowing down of his growth activity. Dry feeds that target senior dogs typically include a much lower calorie content in order to accommodate the dog’s lack of growth and lower level of energy.

Dry feeds that target dogs with special needs typically include a feed that not only varies in caloric content but also varies in additives and ingredients. Such dog food is designed to meet the special needs of the dogs that fall into this category. For example, a dry feed that is meant for dogs with kidney problems will be lower in protein content. Unfortunately, this type of dry dog food is often available in the veterinarian’s office only.

Semi-moist dog food is often sealed in a packet in order to maintain freshness as well as a semblance of moisture. Although semi-moist dog food was not originally intended as a completely balanced meal for dogs, improvements have been made in the nutritional value.

Moist dog foods are usually canned and corner a large part of the dog food market. This type of dog food also offers ease of preparation as well as a balanced meal.

Balanced nutrition is essential for dogs. Overweight dogs require a special diet and this type of dog food is available as well. Incorporating any changes in your dog’s diet should be accomplished gradually in order to avoid digestive or elimination problems for him.