A good dog is a terrible thing to waste. Feeding your pooch on the cheap can often end up with certain gaps in their dietary requirements (i.e., vitamin or mineral deficiency). Also, lower-grade dog foods are often rife with useless carbohydrates, additives, and artificial components. For a happier, healthier dog, the first step is starting them on a diet of premium dog foods. Remember, you are what you eat.
Super Premium Dog Foods
Merrick Grain-Free Real Chicken
Containing only stuff you could find in the aisles of your local grocery, this premium dog food has all the stuff your dog could need, and then some. Made with real deboned chicken as its major protein source, this blend is as close as your dog is going to get to raiding the coop. Also full of good stuff like sweet potatoes, peas, apples, and blueberries, this kibble will give your pup the vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants they need to keep them shining.
Taste Of The Wild High Prairie with Roasted Bison and Venison
This here dog food will transport your pup back to the days when the soil was rich and the game was aplenty. This quality crafted kibble is made with nothing but the best -- from bison, venison, sweet potatoes, chicory root, tomatoes, and blueberries. This grain-free, highly nutritious, and preservative-free formula is sure to make your pooch howl at the moon.
Dogswell Nutrisca Dry Dog Food
This grain and potato-free dog food have all the protein and vitamins your dog could need, without any of the filler. Made with cage-free, no hormone chicken as its primary protein source, this food is high in protein, low in fat and cholesterol, and is a great source of amino acids. This uber healthy blend of chicken, chickpeas, fruits, and veggies is guaranteed to please.
Spot’s Stew Original Wholesome Beef
For those of you who have dogs that refuse to touch anything that doesn’t come out of a can, here is the answer to all of your premium food queries. Made with only the highest quality proteins, meats, grains, and veggies, this meal is not only nutrient-rich, but good for dogs of all ages and sizes, and has a taste no pooch can turn down.
Evanger’s Dry Dog Food
Made without any corn, wheat, or soy fillers, this high-protein kibble was specifically designed to meet the nutrition profile set by the Association of American Feed Control Office (AAFCO). This food guarantees that your dog will receive all the necessary nutrients, and then some. For high-quality food that isn’t lacking in anything, Evanger’s is the food for you.
When Is Premium Pet Food Worth It?
Naturally, you want only the best for your furry companion. Since the diet is a major component of their health, you would like to offer your pet the best food possible. However, often the perceived “best” of any product correlates to “most expensive,” which can be tricky when you’re working on a budget.
Is premium pet food any different from normal pet food? If so, how should a pet parent sort through the hype?
What a Better Diet Can Do
Commercial pet food has to meet certain basic health standards to ensure no deficiencies are created when a pet eats it as their primary food. The importance of a higher-quality diet for most dogs and cats is debatable. A lot of dogs and cats live long, healthy lives eating nothing but budget kibble. However, some individual animals have allergies, food sensitivities, or other problems that require special diets.
There are also many vets and animal experts who believe that all animals would have a higher quality of life on a better diet. The thinking is that a diet with balanced nutrients and higher quality ingredients means the animal’s body doesn’t have to work as hard to get the most from the food, so overall health may be better and the dog or cat might have fewer chronic health problems. Anecdotally, some people report miraculous recoveries from crippling diseases for pets on high-quality diets.
Sifting Through Advertising
However important an excellent diet is, premium pet foods do not always deliver that diet. Words like “holistic” and “premium” are not tightly regulated, or regulated at all, meaning a pet food company is free to use them simply for advertising purposes.
And no matter what ingredients go into food, the means by which they are processed, or even the nutrient value in the same ingredient classification, can be different. For example, the word “byproduct” on a label could mean more internal organs (good stuff for pets!) or more whole necks (lots of bone and ash — not as good).
The sad fact is that without doing research or preparing the food yourself, there is no way to be sure exactly how good the pet food is. So in reality, trial and error tend to be the best way to find out which foods work well for your furry friend.
So, Is Premium Pet Food Worth It?
A premium label does not, all by itself, mean the food is any better than standard, and standard food at a premium price is clearly not worth it. A high-quality diet, on the other hand, is worth it, especially if your pet has specific medical needs.
What Do I look for?
To ensure that you are actually getting high-quality food, you have a few options — you can cook for your pet yourself, you can ask a trusted vet for their recommendation, or you can use a commercially prepared food as a base and build it up with supplements (also asking your vet about which supplements to include).
Preparing food for a pet isn’t any harder than cooking for yourself. Most veterinarians can recommend a good home-prepared diet, or you can find one on your own, but beware that over half of the home-prepared diets on the internet or in books may not be considered complete and balanced by the standards set forth by the National Research Council's essential nutrients for dogs and cats. A knowledgeable veterinarian or a board-certified veterinary nutritionist can help if you have concerns.
Or, if home-cooked food isn’t an option, just make sure to do your research before buying a “premium” dog food.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Super Premium dog food good?
Yes, Super Premium dog food, as the name suggests, represents a category of dog food that is frequently considered to be of exceptionally high quality. These products are often created with premium ingredients and intended to provide dogs the best nutrition possible. Super Premium dog meals often contain high-quality sources of protein, including genuine meat or fish, as well as a balanced combination of carbs, healthy fats, vitamins, and minerals. However, the precise composition may vary based on the brand and particular product. They frequently don't include the artificial additives, fillers, and by-products that are frequently present in dog diets of poorer grades. The nutritious content of Super Premium dog chow is by far its greatest benefit. These products are designed to fulfill the unique nutritional requirements of dogs, taking into factors like age, breed, size, and level of activity. In addition to the nutritional benefits, Super Premium dog foods are often highly digestible. The ingredients used in these formulas are chosen for their digestibility and bioavailability, ensuring that dogs can efficiently absorb and utilize the nutrients. This may result in better digestion, smaller, harder stools – all signs of a healthy digestive system – and lower stool volume. Although Super Premium dog foods are typically more expensive than lesser-quality alternatives, many pet owners think the expense is worthwhile.
What is Super Premium dog food?
Super Premium dog food refers to a category of dog food that is distinguished by its exceptional quality and carefully selected ingredients. It is often regarded as being at the top of the range of commercial dog meals. By utilizing premium, natural ingredients that adhere to stringent quality requirements, Super Premium dog food manufacturers work to give dogs the best nutrition possible and place a high priority on their wellbeing. The usage of premium protein sources is one of the distinctive features of Super Premium dog food. These can be the main ingredients, such as actual meat, fish, or fowl. The majority of these protein sources are lean and have a high biological value, which means they are complete providers of all the important amino acids a dog needs to be healthy. They support general growth, muscular growth, and tissue healing.
What foods are super good for dogs?
Several foods are considered to be super beneficial for dogs due to their nutritional value and health benefits. First and foremost, dogs must have access to high-quality protein sources such as lean meats (such as chicken, turkey, and beef), fish (such as salmon and tuna), and eggs. Protein promotes the growth of muscles, tissue healing, and general development. A variety of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants are also included in foods, including blueberries, strawberries, pumpkin, sweet potatoes, and carrots, which boost immune system health, eye health, and general well-being. Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids are found in foods like fish oil, flaxseed, and coconut oil and help to maintain healthy skin, a lustrous coat, and cognitive function. Whole grains like brown rice and quinoa provide complex carbs that can give your dog long-lasting energy, as well as a dietary fiber to aid in digestion. Certain dairy products like plain yogurt or cottage cheese can be beneficial as they contain probiotics that support gut health. Furthermore, green leafy vegetables like spinach and kale offer a wealth of nutrients while being low in calories.
Which are the best dog food brands?
Determining the best dog food brands can be subjective, as individual dogs have unique dietary needs and preferences. However, there are a few reputable manufacturers who regularly provide top-notch dog food. The breed-specific formulae created by Royal Canin are renowned for taking into account the special traits and dietary requirements of various dog breeds. These formulations support breed-specific health issues, growth trends, and body types. In order to create their formulae, Royal Canin works closely with veterinarians and nutritionists and places a heavy focus on scientific research. They also provide a range of solutions tailored to different life stages, such as puppy, adult, and senior formulations, to make sure that dogs get the right nutrients throughout their whole lives. Purina Pro Plan, on the other hand, focuses on offering nutrition that is supported by research. To create its recipes, the company consults with specialists and undertakes in-depth research. For dogs with particular dietary requirements or health issues, Purina Pro Plan provides a variety of solutions, including formulations for joint health, sensitive skin and stomach, weight management, and more. Additionally, they have formulas designed for various life phases and breed sizes. Purina Pro Plan is proud to use premium ingredients, like real meat, and a well-balanced nutrient mix to support overall health and well-being. Hill's Science Diet brand is another well-known one. It is a reputable brand that emphasizes nutrition that, is founded on research, and provides a range of formulas to address various health issues.
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