Dog food categories
Modern dog owners are increasingly feeding their pets commercially prepared foods. But choosing the most suitable option isn't easy. It's important to consider not only the type of food and your pet's needs, but also a number of other nuances, such as the dog food category, which is a key factor in determining nutritional quality.
Content
Types of feed
Depending on the form of release, dog food is divided into:
- dry – presented in the form of dry granules of various shapes and can be stored for a long time without losing their beneficial properties;
- Wet food - sold in soft, sealed packaging or metal cans, but for long-term storage, preservatives are added that are not beneficial to the dog's health.
Most manufacturers offer both types of food in their product range. They are made from the same animal or plant-based ingredients, but dry kibble has minimal water and fat content.
Dry kibble is considered the most suitable for forming a dog's daily diet, while canned food and other types of food are recommended for use from time to time as an additional supplement or a tasty treat.
Important! When feeding dry food, ensure your dog has 24-hour access to drinking water and ensure adequate water intake.
Classes
Dog foods are divided into specific categories—classes. These classes are based on the quality and balance of the ingredients used to produce them, and, accordingly, the price range.
Economy class
Packages of this type of food are available in any supermarket, and their advertisements are often seen on television. The category name itself suggests that the products are characterized by their minimal price and maximum availability to consumers. However, they are made from low-quality ingredients, primarily of plant origin. The meat components used are by-products, sinews, bone meal, or other meat processing waste, accounting for 4-5% of the total weight. Cereals, as well as flavor enhancers and other bulking agents, make up a large portion of the ingredients. economy class It does not take into account the physiological characteristics of animals and does not contain many of the elements necessary for the normal functioning of the dog's body, so this type of food is least suitable for daily feeding.
Energy value: 250-300 kcal/100 g.
Manufacturers: Pedigree, Chappi, Darling, Nasha Marka, Oscar, etc.
Premium class
This type of food contains higher-quality ingredients, of which approximately 15-25% is meat. They are reasonably priced and provide animals with a balanced diet. However, these products still contain small amounts of flavor enhancers and other non-digestible ingredients. One of the advantages premium class – the ability to take into account individual pet characteristics (age, size, physical condition). Moreover, products manufactured in the EU and the US are of higher quality than Russian-made foods.
Energy value: 350-400 kcal/100 g.
Manufacturers: Dog Chow, Bozita, Happy Dog, Royal Canin, Hill's, Pro Plan, Nature Protection, Probalance, RosPes.
Super premium class
In this category This category includes food with the best balance, digestibility, nutritional value, and energy content, resulting in a very low daily requirement. It is produced using exclusively natural meat, fish, healthy vegetables and grains, minerals, and vitamins, with no flavor enhancers, soy, or GMOs. This category of dog food not only offers options tailored to the age, size, physical activity, and specific needs of your pet, but also includes a separate veterinary (dietary) line for pets with certain health conditions (diabetes, allergies, and weakened immune systems).
Please note: Super-premium dog food is only available in specialty stores or veterinary pharmacies.
Energy value: 350-450 kcal/100 g.
Manufacturers: 1st Choice, Trainer, Eukanuba, Pronature Original, Josera, Arden Grange, Dukes Farm, Bosch, Optima Nova, DailyDog
Holistic
Feed category latest generation These products have a perfectly balanced composition and detailed ingredient listings. They contain only high-quality ingredients, suitable even for human consumption. The meat content in this category reaches 80%. The main difference is that the composition is as close as possible to the diet of wild animals, and the ingredients undergo minimal processing. They are often enriched with probiotics, which promote improved digestion and overall well-being, while colorings, gluten, and flavorings are completely prohibited. Holistic products are significantly more expensive than all other categories, and therefore are not widely popular.
Energy value: from 350 kcal/100 g.
Manufacturers: Acana, Go Natural Holistic Fit, Grandorf, Now Fresh, Pronature Holistic, Orijen, Canidae, Savarra, Wolfsblut, Applaws.
The range of dog food is so diverse that every owner can find the right product for their pet within their budget. However, it's important to understand that economy-class food will never be better than premium food. It's best to determine which category is best for your pet through trial and error. For dogs, the class isn't particularly important, as long as the dog eats with gusto and doesn't experience any side effects (such as stomach upset). That's why it's always best to purchase a small sample to try first.
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