You are probably like many people who ask many questions about dog food. We are going to try and answer some questions about that in this article.
How much should I feed them
This is sometimes based on your dogs breed, health and energy level. For example, one option is to “free feed”. That means to always have food out in a bowl for them whenever they are hungry. Some of the benefits of this method is, they usually won’t over eat. If it is readily available they don’t feel the need to devour everything at once. They know it will still be there when they leave. Another benefit to free feeding is that they don’t become possessive. Some dogs will become aggressive with their food naturally to protect their meal because it may be their last. One last benefit is for you. You don’t have to keep a feeding schedule in your head. You don’t have to worry about meal time.
So the other option is scheduled feeding. This certainly benefits breeds like Beagels. Some dogs will eat non-stop and eventually make themselves sick or even kill themselves. So no the behavior of your breed. Anther benefit of scheduled feeding can be for dogs who are over weight. Perhaps they don’t eat themselves to death but they do eat to much. A scheduled portion of food should help here. Another benefit could be for a dog that has acid reflux of other health issues. A scheduled feeding many times will help keep issues at bay.
So its up to you to know your dog and do what’s best for them. If you need assistance I would recommend talking to your vet for suggestions.
Healthy food
I will try not to slam any specific dog food brands here. However, some are worth mentioning like Purina. Sure we used to feed this to our dogs in the 70’s but we also used to play with lawn darts. Not a good idea. There are other brands that claim to be healthy like Blue Buffalo, but keep in mind that too much of a good thing is not good. Remember, if you have a puppy growing into an adult dog you will want to give them the proper nutrients at the PROPER AMOUNT. Hips and joints need specific nutrients. As breeders ourselves we chose to use Lifes Abundance. Here is a quick breakdown compared to Blue Buffalo.
| Life’s Abundance All Life Stage Dog Food | Blue Life Protection Formula | |
| Daily cost to feed a 30lb dog | $0.79 | $0.84 |
| Diverse Proteins | yes | no |
| Animal Fat | yes | yes |
| Vitamins A, C & E | yes | no |
| Omega-3 Fatty Acids | yes | yes |
| Prebiotics | yes | no |
| Probiotics | yes | no |
| Vegetables | yes | yes |
| No Corn/Wheat/Glutens | yes | yes |
Here is what some of those ingredients mean.
IGH-QUALITY PROTEINS – Proteins are the building blocks of all living organisms. Protein is essential for all bodily functions including those of the brain, heart, skin, skeleton and many others. Life’s Abundance contains at least 26% of high-quality protein. Look for identifiable animal proteins such as “chicken meal” rather generic terms like “poultry meal,” which can consist of any fowl (turkey, chicken, geese, etc.).
CHICKEN MEAL VS. CHICKEN? Some foods contain chicken meat or chicken parts, which naturally hold a fair amount of water. We prefer to use chicken meal because most of the water has been removed, which makes it a concentrated source of protein. This means that there is a greater “protein content” in one pound of chicken meal versus one pound of chicken meat. That’s why high-quality chicken meal is a key ingredient in Life’s Abundance foods.
WHOLE GRAINS – Whole grains are an excellent source of protein, fiber, B vitamins, iron, zinc and other essential minerals. They also provide the kind of carbohydrates that deliver sustained energy to your dog. We include the natural goodness of Ground Brown Rice and Oat Groats in Life’s Abundance Dog Food.
VITAMINS AND MINERALS – The proprietary blend of vitamins and minerals in Life’s Abundance foods was carefully selected to work in concert with all of the other ingredients to enhance the overall nutritional value of the food.
ANTIOXIDANT SYSTEM – Among other nutrients, our antioxidant system includes vitamins A, C and E and vegetables. The colorful skin and flesh of different vegetables and fruits contain phytonutrients, essential vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and fiber. Each vegetable was carefully selected for its unique nutritional properties.
CHICKEN FAT – We believe the primary fat source in dog food should be animal-based because these fats contain a profile of fatty acids that are easily metabolized and generally more available to the body. Animal fats can vary in quality, so look for a species-specific fat like “chicken fat” (versus “animal fat”) to be certain of the kind of fat your dog is eating.
OMEGA-3 FATTY ACIDS – Omega-3 fatty acids are some of the most extensively researched natural nutritional ingredients in the world. Among its many health benefits, the omega-3’s in Life’s Abundance help support healthy skin and a shiny coat. We also included flaxseed meal for its outstanding nutritional profile and its contribution to healthy skin and coat.
DIETARY FIBER – Fiber is required in every diet to maintain healthy intestinal tract and good nutrient absorption.
Probiotics – These ingredients are similar to those found in supermarket yogurts. Probiotics help support healthy immune and digestive systems.
If you wish to do a comparison with any other dog food follow the link below.
This is a pretty important decision. Your dog is probably like a child to you. Make an educated decision.