Choosing the right dog food is crucial to your dog's health and well-being. Before getting into specifics, let's take a look at what nutrients should be included in the ideal food for your pet.

Proteins and their importance

Proteins are the basic building blocks of a dog's tissues and muscles. They provide the essential amino acids that are crucial for growth, regeneration and the overall functioning of the body. Both wet and dry dog foods can be rich sources of these amino acids. When choosing a food, it is worth paying attention to its protein source - ideally it should come from meat, fish or eggs. Dry dog food, as well as wet dog food, should contain these valuable ingredients. Avoid foods where the protein comes mainly from plants, as these do not provide all the amino acids your dog needs.

Węglowodany i tłuszcze

Węglowodany dostarczają energii, która jest niezbędna dla aktywnego trybu życia psa. Warto jednak pamiętać, że nie wszystkie węglowodany są sobie równe – unikajmy tych o wysokim indeksie glikemicznym, które mogą prowadzić do otyłości, zwłaszcza przy stosowaniu suchej karmy dla psa. Tłuszcze z kolei są niezbędne dla zdrowej skóry i sierści oraz wspierają funkcjonowanie mózgu. W karmie dla psa warto zwrócić uwagę na obecność kwasów tłuszczowych omega-3 i omega-6, które mają działanie przeciwzapalne i wspomagają układ odpornościowy.

Vitamins and minerals

Dogs, just like humans, need vitamins and minerals to function properly. Many manufacturers, such as Kares Karma, take care to balance their products. Vitamins A, D, E and K are essential for eye, bone, skin and blood health. Minerals such as calcium, phosphorus and magnesium support bone and dental health, so it is a good idea to choose a food rich in these ingredients, such as dry dog food. Make sure the food contains all of these ingredients in the right proportions to ensure a healthy and balanced diet for your dog, whether it is wet or dry dog food.

Types of dog food

Now that we know the basic nutrients that should be in a dog's food, let's move on to discuss the different types of food available on the market, such as dry and wet dog food.

Dry food

Dry food is the most popular type of dog food. It has a long shelf life and is easy to store and feed, making dry dog food a convenient choice. However, it is worth paying attention to its composition - a food with a high meat content and low carbohydrate content will be best. Dry food also helps maintain dental health as the crunch acts as a natural cleaner.

Wet food

Wet food is more flavourful and palatable, which can be particularly important for fussy dogs. It contains more water than dry food, which can help maintain hydration levels, especially in dogs that drink little water. Wet dog food is an excellent option here. It is advisable to choose wet food without artificial preservatives and with a low salt content, such as ROXI from Kares Karma.

Speciality feed

Specialised foods are also available on the market for dogs with specific health needs, such as food allergies, digestive, skin or joint problems. These foods are often developed in collaboration with veterinarians and may contain ingredients with therapeutic effects. If our dog has specific health needs, it is a good idea to consult your vet about the choice of food.

Choice of dog food according to age and health status

Choosing the right food should also take into account the age and health status of the dog. Nutritional needs change with age, so it is important to adapt the diet to our pet's life stage.

Puppies

Puppies need food rich in protein, fats and calcium to support their vigorous growth and development. Puppy food should also be easily digestible and palatable to encourage the young dog to eat. It is important to feed a food that is specifically designed for puppies to provide them with all the nutrients they need.

Adult dogs

Adult dogs need a balanced diet that provides all the necessary nutrients in the right proportions. It is worth paying attention to your dog's physical activity - active dogs need more energy, while less active dogs may tend to be overweight, so their diet should be adjusted accordingly.

Older dogs

Older dogs have different nutritional needs than younger dogs. They require foods that are lower in calories but rich in protein to support muscle health. Also important are ingredients to support joint health, such as glucosamine and chondroitin, as well as antioxidants that can support immune function.

Dogs with health problems

Dogs with health problems such as allergies, diabetes, kidney or liver disease require a specialised diet. Specialised foods may contain anti-inflammatory ingredients, hypoallergenic proteins, low fat or other substances to help manage the condition. A vet should always be consulted for dogs with health problems.

Storage and feeding

The correct storage and feeding of food has a huge impact on its quality and the health of our dog, whether it is wet or dry dog food.

Storage of feed

Food should be stored in a dry and cool place, preferably in a sealed container to prevent air and moisture from entering. Avoid keeping the food in areas exposed to direct sunlight, which can affect its quality.

Serving of meals

Your dog's meals should be given regularly at fixed times. It is a good idea to avoid leaving food in the bowl throughout the day to avoid encouraging your dog to snack. This is particularly important if you are feeding your dog wet food. It is also important to adjust portions according to your dog's size, age and activity to prevent overweight or malnutrition.

Summary and FAQ

Choosing the right dog food for your dog may seem complicated, but by following a few basic principles, we can ensure our pet has a healthy and balanced diet. Remember to consider your dog's age, breed, health status and taste preferences, as well as regular consultations with your vet.

Frequently asked questions:

1. Can I feed my dog food intended for humans?

No, feeding your dog food intended for humans is not recommended. Many foods that are safe for humans can be harmful to dogs. For example, chocolate, grapes, onions or garlic can be toxic to your dog. It is better to stick to specialised foods that are formulated with the nutritional needs of dogs in mind.

2. how often should I change my dog's food?

A change of food should be considered when there is a change in the dog's life stage (e.g. switching from puppy food to adult dog food) or when there are health problems that require a specialised diet. It is important that any change is made gradually, over a period of a few days to a week, to avoid stomach problems.