Most of the dogs love eating dry dog food or “kibble”. The dry dog food can go in your kitchen for months without getting expired and its quite convenient as compared to the wet food which can only stay for few days. This is one of the main reasons that most of the pup owners prefer dry food. This food is crunchy and wholesome and plays an important role in dog’s teeth health.

Before selecting best dog food brand, you have to keep in mind your dog’s nutritional needs and requirements. Dry dog foods are protein rich and filled with the goodness of different varieties of meats, vegetables and fruits etc. Dry dog food is thus one of the best options to feed your hound with instant energy. You can also get a customized dry dog food on special demand according to your dog’s specialized needs. So, here is a complete and detailed buying guide.

Important things to know before buying Dry Dog Food

There are many things that should be kept in mind before buying dry dog foods from any supermarket or store. They include:

Your dog’s age or its life stage.
Your pet’s way of living.
Your pets dietary needs.
Your pet’s weight.
Your curb’s allergies, health issues and/or any sensitivities.
Pet food ratings, reviews or repute.
Quality of ingredients in pet food through research.
Its price(affordability) and expense per day.

SUMMARY

What is the best dry dog food brand?
What are the ingredients in dry dog food?
How many calories does dry dog food have?
What sizes does dry dog food come in?
What nutrients are in dry dog food?
What is the tastiest dry dog food?
Is it OK for dogs to eat just dry dog food?
What dry dog foods do vets recommend?
Dry dog foods to avoid
Dry dog foods for sensitive stomach
Dry dog foods for picky eaters
Dry dog foods without chicken
Dry dog foods made in USA
Dry dog foods UK
Conclusion

What is the best dry dog food brand?

Following are the best top rated brands of dry dog food:

Wellness complete health dry dog food.
Instinct original grain free dry dog food.
Diamond natural dry dog food.
Blue buffalo life protection large breed dry dog food.
Nutro natural choice small breed adult dry dog food.
Blue buffalo puppy formula.
Nutro ultra weight management dry dog food.
Natural balance limited ingredients formula.
Wellness core.
Tastes of wild dry dog food.

What are the ingredients in dry dog food?

Most of them are made up of dry powdered form raw material and ingredients, which are finely grounded.

Ingredients:

Dried and grounded meat
Vegetables
Fruits
Legumes
Grains

In a process called Extrusion, these ingredients are put into pellets and then cooked. There should be one ingredient in the mixture that should bind all the products called Binder and in dried pup food recipes such product is grain.

Major sources of carbohydrates like cereals bran, rice are also used, fish is also dried and used as a source of protein, blueberry extract, chicken oil, mixed herbs like parsley, thyme, basil fennel and fenugreek may also be used in dry dog food along with that oats may be used for high fiber content, peas, potatoes, pork fat, pork, chondroitin sulphate may also be used. It is good for healthy bones and joints. For bones, glucosamine is also used. Green tea extracts may also be a part of dry dog food along with duck meal. It may also contain whole linseed that is a good source of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. Sunflower oil, turkey fat and meal, salmon oil, seaweed are sometimes also a part of dry dog food.

How many calories does dry dog food have?

The calories in one cup of dry dog food may be from 325 to 600. An average dog needs almost 886 calories per day on average.

It has generally more calorie content and has more fats and carbohydrates. A single cup of this food has more calories than wet curb food. This is because the dry food lacks water and its calorie content increases. It has 97 calories in one ounce and in each gram, there are roughly 8.5 calories.

What sizes does dry dog food come in?

Nowadays it comes in a huge variety of sizes. You can grab for your pooch in different sizes by visiting any supermarket. The packets come in various sizes:

Small
Extra small
Medium
Large
Extra large

The reason behind these sizes is because a small curb may need small sized bag while a larger one needs large one. The dry food size may vary according to the size and dog’s breed, not only the packaging changes from Small to Large, but the dry dog food inside the package also changes. Poodles(a dog breed) for example are not able to chew larger food chunks so, for poodles small dry dog food is available which is easily chewable so that they are not at the risk of choking. The other dogs with digestive issues and weaker teeth only can eat small sized dry food as it is easily digestible and convenient to grind in teeth.

What nutrients are in dry dog food?

There are basically six major nutrients that are found in dry dog foods. They include:

Water
Proteins
Carbohydrates
Fats
Vitamins
Minerals
Fiber

Proteins:

A good and authentic dog food is one which contains high protein content. Proteins contain 10 special types of dietary amino acids which dog’s body cannot produce by itself, they are also called essential amino acids. These amino acids are the basic units of formation of many compounds and building blocks of body.

Carbohydrates:

Carbohydrates are very important for body. They are mostly found in the food like vegetables and rice. They are eaten with good amount of proteins to maintain a good diet and they also give immediate energy to the dog’s body. Pumpkin and kale berries are very good carbohydrate sources for dog food.

Fiber:

It is the most important ingredient to keep the digestive tract healthy. It makes sure that the dog’s digestion is proper and it also prevents the diseases of the gland and helps in maintaining curb’s healthy weight. It also helps the dogs to fight obesity.

Fats:

By fats we mean healthy fats not harmful ones! There are some fats that are dangerous that cause obesity but some fats are required in a healthy amount to provide instant energy to the body of pooches. These fats help in cell functioning along with helping dogs to have a shiny and healthier coat. Flaxseed oil, coconut oil, sunflower oil and olive oil are the sources of healthy purified fat.

Minerals:

Minerals are often needed in the dog body in very small quantity, that is why they are often refered as Trace minerals. Although minerals are needed in small amount but they are very important for the bone health of the dogs. The lack of essential minerals can lead to bone problems, decreased immunity and loss in Haemoglobin levels in dogs that can result in Anemia. The major trace minerals are Zinc Gluconate, Ferrous Sulphate and Manganese Sulfate.

Vitamins:

The dog food must contain essential vitamins like vitamin A, B, C, K, D and E. Although dogs can get their essential vitamins directly from organic food sources but the dry dog food contains extra dose of these vitamins.

Electrolytes:

Electrolytes are very important for the body and organ functioning of the dogs. The electrolytes include Potassium, Sodium, Magnesium and Chloride. The lack of essential electrolytes in body can cause kidney and other organ failures.

Fatty acids:

Fatty acids are high source of Omega-3 and Omega-6. Although dog’s body can itself produce certain fatty acids but some come directly from the food sources like Flax seed oil and Fish oil etc.

What is the tastiest dry dog food?

Dry dog foods with beef chicken and turkey flavor are the tastiest for the canine friends. Sometimes these flavors are mixed with certain fruits and vegetables which enhance its taste and curbs love eating them. Below are the tastiest foods for your hounds:

Puppet chicken topper is the pups favorite recipe. They like it the most and it is the tastiest of them all.
The honest kitchen whole food clusters grain free beef is also considered as the tastiest one. It is made completely with human grade ingredients. It is passed through very little processing and is made of beef that is raised in the ranch.

Is it OK for dogs to eat just dry dog food?

Yes, it is completely fine for dogs to just eat dry food. It is only that the water content in the dry dog food is lesser as compared to the wet food. Less water is added to keep it going and can be preserved for a long time in stores. However your canine friend can safely eat dry dog food if he drinks enough water.

Along with that, dry dog food is extremely good for doggies oral health as it scraps against its teeth which in return removes plaque and tartar from the teeth and increases its chewing ability and strengthens its teeth.

What dry dog foods do vets recommend?

Most of the veterinarians recommend that dry dog food that is approved by AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials). They think that while buying dog food always look for dry dog food that has AAFCO official statement on the bag. Vets say that it is important for a dog food company to have its formula approved to be naturally a balanced meal plan by a veterinarian and animal nutritionist.

According to vets, the best dry dog food brands include:

Purina pro plan adult.
Hill science diet.
Royal canin.

Dry dog foods to avoid:

Dog foods that contain harmful products and ingredients should be avoided. There are certain products that should not be present in dry dog food and therefore such products should be avoided. These ingredients include:

Corn and wheat gluten
Rendered fat
Ethoxyquin
Butylated hydroxytoluene
Blue 2, Red 40, Yellow 5 and 6, and MIE color food dyes
Propylene glycol
Butylated hydroxyanisole
Meat and grain by products

Dry dog foods for sensitive stomach:

The best dry foods for sensitive stomach include:

1). Diamond care sensitive stomach formula for adult dogs:

It contains 5 recipes. It is grain free, contains egg, potatoes, protein, tomato pomace and chicken fat. It is considered as the best for adult dogs with sensitive stomach. It contains a large amount of protein from egg. It is a very good recipe safe for eating for long term.

2). Hill’s science diet sensitive stomach and skin adult dog food:

Hills science diet is also the best recipe for sensitive skin and stomach. It includes a total of 4 recipes for sensitive coat and stomach and the results are amazing. It contains grain products like barley, brown rice which are the best source of fiber and are good enough for stomach. It contains brewers rice, chicken, meal, yellow peas, cracked pearl barley etc and according to the reviews, it has done wonders to the dogs with sensitive stomachs. It contains Prebiotic fibers that help in regulating the stools and in the growth of gut bacteria.

3). Purina pro plans for adult sensitive skin and stomach:

It contains salmon and rice formula, that is excellent for sensitive stomach. It has four stomach sensitive recipes. It contains salmon, barley, brown rice, canola meal and oat meal. It is inclusive of grain and contains barley and rice that help a lot in digestion. It is also highly recommended by the veterinarians and has excellent ratings and reviews.

Dry dog foods for picky eaters:

Some of our canine friends are extremely picky, therefore here is a list of some picky eaters food which they love to eat:

1). Ollie dry dog food for Picky eater:

Ollie makes personalized meal plans according to the pups needs. They do a quick survey of your canine partner and then recommend and make your food according to his likes and dislikes. They also offer variety of flavors and also have food in different textures. They have flavors like turkey, lamb, chicken and beef and most importantly they deliver at door steps.

2). Blue buffalo wilderness adult dry dog food:

Blue buffalo is another dog food that is best designed for picky eaters. It has a high protein range and is made with high grade protein like red meat and beef. It has many diffrent flavors to satisfy the taste buds of your canine friend. It is known as the best brand for picky eaters and has excellent reviews and ratings.

3). Hills science diet dry dog food:

It is best for picky eaters and is widely available in all the stores. It has a huge variety to choose from and is recommended by vets. It has Probiotics and Prebiotics for stomach issues and contains Vitamin E and Omega-3 and 6. It has a diversity in flavors so that your dog with sensitive stomach can enjoy his meal.

Dry dog foods without chicken:

Many dogs are food sensitive and may have allergies to meat and proteins. In such cases many companies offer dry foods without chicken. So, some major dry dog foods without chicken are:

1). Strathwood taste of the wild pacific stream:

It is considered best non-chicken dog food. It is grain and chicken free and and it also is very tasty. It is full of Antioxidants and Probiotics and is excellent for adult dogs. The ingredients include:

Salmon
Sweet potatoes
Canola oil
Lentils
Some other ingredients full of vitamins and minerals.

2). Instinct original grain free recipe:

It contains 71% of real animal extracts along with 29% of the vegetables fruits. It is best for dog’s digestive health, skin and shiny coat and lean muscles.

3). Orijen dog regional red recipe:

It is also a high protein formula without chicken. It is called Regional red. It contains ranch raised beef, pork and grass fed lamb meat. It has 85% of the natural ingredients and uses raw animal ingredients. It is grain free and extremely yummy that your hairy animal will love.

Dry dog foods made in USA:

Following are the well-known brands of dried curb food that are manufactured in USA.

1). Nom nom:

This is best US sourced and made in USA brand. It is made with all the ingredients found in USA.

2). Blue buffalo life protection:

It is also one of the best USA made dried food for pooches. This food is made and assembled in USA and all the ingredients are full of quality and according to AAFCO Standards.

3). Nutro natural choice:

It is also one of the best food that is made in USA.

Dry dog foods UK:

There are many dry dog foods made in UK. Some are as follows.

Lilys kitchen complete nutrition day dog food
Pure dehydrated dog food
Arden grange adult dry dog food

Conclusion:

Dry dog food has a huge variety of options to choose from. It is completely a safe option for pooches and imparts great benefits to the oral health of pooches. It strengthens their teeth and helps fight against tartar or plague and strengthens their chewing ability. Not only does it come in different sizes but also in different varieties. If your pup is allergic and also has some special skin condition or type, then there is a huge variety of chicken-less dried food for curbs, which at the same time is good for dog healthy skin. It also gives a huge range for picky eaters and dogs with sensitive stomachs. No matter what your pup’s age, size, breed or health condition is and no matter what part of the world you are living in, dry dog food is the instant solution to your canine friends problem.

The Best Buying guide for Dry Dog Food