Dog Food

Dog food can be divided into complete food and supplementary food. Complete food includes food that does not need any additional ingredients, and supplementary food includes snacks and mixable food. On the other hand, you can differentiate between dry food, semi-moist food and wet food.
The type of food your dog needs depends on its size, breed and age. There is also a lot of special food that is suitable for puppies, for old dogs or for dogs with allergies or diets. There is also raw feeding, called BARF, where your dog only gets raw ingredients.

Generally speaking, it is impossible to say whether dry or wet dog food is better. That depends on your dog and his taste. It is best to simply try out different foods or certain food combinations. The main difference between dry and wet food is the water content.
Dry food has the advantage that it is particularly convenient and easy to feed. It usually comes in large bags and is inexpensive. Also, high-energy dry food is good for your dog's teeth. Wet food, on the other hand, is a bit more expensive, but is especially suitable for dogs that don't drink much because of the high water content. Wet food is also tastier for most dogs.

Dogs have different nutritional and energy needs. Thus, the daily amount of dog food also differs between individual dogs. This is mainly dependent on three factors:

• the age of your dog,
• the size of your dog,
• the physical activity of your dog.

You should also take into account the particular phases of a dog that affect its eating behavior. For example, if your dog is sick, in heat, pregnant, or weighs too much or too little, you should adjust the amount of food.

Dog food contains varying amounts of protein. Protein can usually be divided into animal and vegetable protein. Dogs need enough protein to build up their body's own protein, which is the building material of the body's cells.
Dogs that are still growing usually have a higher energy requirement than adult dogs. Unfortunately, there is no exact value for the optimal protein content, because this also depends on the age, size and activity of a dog.

More and more dog food is being offered as grain-free dog food. Grain is completely omitted, as it is sometimes not well digested by sensitive dog stomachs. Grain-free dog food is therefore particularly suitable for nutritionally sensitive dogs with allergies or digestive disorders.

Crude ash or also called “incinerated residue” or “inorganic matter” is the end product that remains after a special burning of the dog food. Mostly, these are certain minerals and trace elements that are produced by protein-containing substances and bones. Ideally, the proportion in the food should be between one and three percent. If the proportion of crude ash is too high, kidneys could be restricted in their function and the formation of urinary calculus could be promoted. If the crude ash content is too low, your dog may lack important trace elements.

For puppies, there is special puppy food that is easily digestible and directly geared to the needs of the young dog. Depending on the breed and growth of a dog, there are different puppy foods. Make sure that the food does not contain sugar, preservatives or flavor enhancers. Instead, it should:

• contain omega-6 and -3 fatty acids for a healthy coat,
• have a high meat content and enough protein for growth,
• have enough fats to be easily digestible and to absorb vitamins well,
• contain plenty of carbohydrates to provide sufficient energy.

This will keep your puppy healthy and - together with the right dog toys - avoid dental problems.

Because dogs grow up at different rates depending on their breed and size, the timing of a food change varies. Generally speaking, you should feed your dog puppy food for about ten to twelve months before you start using adult dog food.
It is particularly important that you do this slowly and gradually. Ideally, you should mix a little more of the new dog food with the puppy food each day so that your dog can get used to it. After the tenth day at the latest, your dog should be completely used to the new food.

Dogs can also suffer from food intolerances or allergies, which usually manifest themselves in the form of skin irritations and itching. The allergies have various causes, but are often due to certain proteins, namely animal proteins.
As a special food for allergy sufferers, there are hypoallergenic foods that contain certain single-protein meats or even insect protein. If your dog is affected by an allergy, you should not only use hypoallergenic dog food, but also treats that are compatible with allergy sufferers. You can check our category “Pet medicine” for the right product.

Depending on the type and ingredients of a dog food, it has a different shelf life. Food with natural ingredients is therefore more perishable than food with artificial preservatives. In general, you should always follow the best before date of the food. Note that this only applies to an unopened package.
Dry food usually has a much longer shelf life than wet food, provided it is stored correctly. Fresh meat spoils very quickly and should only be stored in the refrigerator. Canned food that has been opened should also be stored in the refrigerator, preferably in an airtight container, and should be consumed within three days.

You can serve the food for your dog in a plastic tin or bowl that is dishwasher safe. Have a look at our category “Dog supplies” and make your choice. Here you will also find ceramic food bowls and bowls made of stainless steel. No matter which material you choose, it's important to buy one that is easily washable so that no bacteria and other germs settle in it.

Keep opened wet food in the fridge. Pay attention to the box you use to store the food in the fridge. We recommend to pack it in aroma- and air-tight fresh-keeping tins.
Resealable bags should close tightly so the food inside stays safe, cool and dry.
Make sure the boxes or packages stay out of reach of your dog.