Today, there are many dog kibbles, canned dog food, dog food, and dog treats available. In addition, there are a variety of animal diets in which the contents of the kibble or canned food are specially tailored to specific dog ailments. The grains are further divided by target age and breed, grain-free, holistic, high meat content, hypoallergenic, light, etc. Prices vary widely, as does quality.
- Extruded granules – Unfortunately, these granules are produced under high pressure and high temperature, which destroys some of the nutrients, vitamins, and enzymes. These granules expand in the stomach and flavoring is added. Some manufacturers have switched to a new technology where the entire process is done at lower temperatures, which should slightly improve the quality of the pellets.
- Cold-pressed pellets – Produced by pressing at low temperatures so nutrients, vitamins, and amino acids are not destroyed. They contain natural fats and are free of chemicals. They do not expand in the stomach. However, all of this applies to feeds that are pressed only for meat, with no meat meal added. The disadvantage is the high carbohydrate content.
- Baked pellets – Baked like cookies at a lower temperature than pressed pellets. They do not expand in the stomach and are healthier.
A variety of vitamins and minerals are added to the pellets, and some have lactic acid bacteria added. Fat and protein content is monitored and selected according to the dog\’s diet, activity and age. Recently, so-called “barfing,” in which dogs are nourished with a raw diet of meat, vegetables, fruits, and herbs, has been gaining ground among pet breeders.
Treats are an essential part of dog life . There are the standard dog cookies, mini-biscuits for small dogs, dental treats whose shape and ingredients benefit the pet\’s dental hygiene, treats made of the healthiest dried meat, and treats made of buffalo hide. The variety is truly vast. We believe it is important that treats contain as few additives as possible and, if necessary, give the dog something other than a taste. Especially for dogs that tend to be obese, treats should also be avoided because they contain calories, and for dogs with allergies, the ingredients should be carefully examined.