Premium dog food

Premium dog foods are becoming increasingly popular among pet owners. Pet ownership is becoming increasingly popular. This means owners are increasingly paying attention to their pets' health, and therefore, the quality of their nutrition. A balanced dog diet is no less important than human nutrition. With so many brands and trademarks available in pet stores and online, it's important to choose the most nutritious and natural food.

Introduction to Premium Dog Foods

In their quest to attract more caring pet owners, manufacturers are constantly refining production technologies, refining food recipes, and improving their quality. After all, every pet owner strives to provide their four-legged friend with only the best, to the best of their ability.

The choice, of course, depends on the preferences and needs of each pet. The price range for premium dog foods depends on the quality of their ingredients. Economy-class dog food is the cheapest, premium dog food is slightly more expensive, and the most expensive is the premium-class dog food. super premium And holisticGiven these pricing trends, premium dry dog ​​food allows even those with average incomes to provide their pet with decent quality nutrition.

A complete diet

Every dog, like humans, requires specific amounts of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats, which serve as the body's energy fuel and building blocks for muscle development. Water and a small amount of mineral salts, macro- and microelements, and vitamins essential for health are also important. The best premium dry dog ​​foods are complete products in which all ingredients are selected and balanced to meet the needs of different dogs.

Based on the amount of water contained in the feed, they are divided into 2 main types: dry (about 10% content) and wet (about 75% water).

Features of premium pet food

The formulas for foods in this segment require meat. This often includes poultry (chicken, duck, or turkey), beef, or lamb. High-quality grains, such as rice, barley, or wheat, are also included. Vegetables such as beets or carrots provide an additional source of fiber and plant-based proteins in premium dog food.

Manufacturers often add probiotics to support digestive tract function and intestinal microflora. Eggs, various seafood, and herbal extracts are also common ingredients in these foods. Below is a list of premium dog foods, brands that consistently hold top positions in the domestic pet market.

List of premium dog food brands

The list of premium dog food brands is quite extensive, but it's important to remember that some brands specialize in different classes of food, as well as different types of food, such as dry and wet. So, premium dog food brands:

• Purina Dog Chow
• Bosch
• Araton
• 1st Choice
• Arden Grande
• Bozita
• Baskerville
• Happy Dog
• Belcando
• Oscar
• Dr. Alder

In response to a possible question why Royal Canin is not on the list of premium foods, Hills or Proplan—we classify these and many other brands as super-premium dog foods.

Dry food

• Purina Dog Chow;
• Bosch;
• Araton;
• 1st Choice;

Another important feature of this group of foods is that most manufacturers take into account the different physiological needs of dogs and divide their products into several subtypes based on their composition. Even your pet's protein requirements vary greatly depending on their developmental stage and activity level. For example, during periods of active growth, large-breed puppies require double the protein intake. Premium dry dog ​​foods, listed above, take into account all the specific age-related changes in a dog's body, as well as its size, and therefore are divided into categories based on several criteria:

• Dog size: for small breeds (mini), medium (medium), large (maxi) and very large (giant).
• Age: for puppies (puppy, junior), for adult dogs (adult) and old (senior).
• Activity level (energy expenditure): for domestic and active (active, energy) dogs (hunting, guard or training).

Compound

Let's look at the ingredients in premium dog food from Dog Chow and Bosch as an example. Both foods are recommended for feeding a typical adult urban dog of any breed and average activity level.

Dog Chow Adult

• Dog Chow Adult is a complete dry food with chicken for adult dogs. No supplementary feeding is required.
• This food contains: 20% whole grains, 14% pure meat and 4% by-products, vegetable proteins, as well as fats and oils, processed vegetables (dehydrated beetroot 1.1%), additional vegetables (1.1% dried chicory root), minerals.
• Guaranteed ingredients: protein: 24.0%, fat: 12.0%, crude ash: 8.0%, crude fiber: 3.0%.

The manufacturer's recommended daily portion of food for a dog weighing 25 to 45 kg is 370-580 grams.

Bosh Adult Poultry with Spelled

• Ingredients: 15% poultry meal, dehydrated seafood and fresh meat meal, animal fats, dried meat, maize, cereals (wheat flour and bran), spelt (min. 5%), beetroot, pea flour, yeast (dehydrated), natural product - green-lipped mussel extract (important for maintaining cartilage, tissue and joints in working order), potassium chloride, salt, and chicory powder.
• Guaranteed content: proteins - not less than 21.5%; fats of various origins - 10.5%; vegetable fiber - 2.5%; micro- and macroelements - 6%, including: Calcium not less than 1.05%; phosphorus and its compounds - 0.85%; potassium - 0.5%; magnesium not less than 0.12%; sodium - 0.3%; water not more than 10.00%; nutritional value - 15.25 MJ/kg.
• Recommended servings: for a dog weighing 25-45 kg, the daily food intake is 305-470 grams.

It's worth noting that premium Dog Chow dry dog ​​food is less digestible because its daily serving size is larger, despite its higher protein and fat content. This factor depends on the bioavailability of the proteins, and therefore on the quality of the raw materials used. Bosch also lists its ingredients in more detail, which may indicate the quality of the product.

It turns out that to choose a good premium dog food, it's helpful to pay attention to its ingredients, and even better, compare several different types of food. After all, even at the same price, one type of food may last a dog longer than another.

Some premium dog food brands produce special nutrition designed for pregnant and lactating female dogs. For example, Bosch Reproduction food has increased protein and amino acid levels to support the healthy development of puppies and stimulate lactation in nursing mothers. This food is more digestible and more nutritious, with an energy value of 16.0 MJ/kg.

Wet food

The manufacturing process for canned dog food is virtually the same as that for dry food. The differences lie in the temperature processing and residual moisture content. However, wet food is much more palatable, and dogs eat it with greater gusto. For this reason, premium wet food for small dogs who are picky eaters is in high demand.

Due to the high water content, the shelf life of an opened can is very short. Therefore, if your pet doesn't eat the entire amount of wet food in one sitting, it should be refrigerated. Premium wet dog food is a complete, balanced diet containing meat, grains, vegetable oils, vitamins, and special supplements for puppies, obese dogs, and seniors. It comes in pâté or chunk form.

Brands of wet food

• Arden Grande
• Bozita
• Baskerville
• Happy Dog
• Bosch

A distinctive feature of canned food is that it can be fed alongside dry food without risking harm to the pet's health. Canine nutrition experts recommend combining or alternating these foods within the same brand. For example, Bosch premium dry food for large dogs should be fed in the morning and wet food in the evening.

Wet foods can be divided into two types: everyday foods and gourmet foods. Gourmet foods contain more by-products and less grains. This makes them more expensive and tastier. However, gourmet foods are not considered balanced and are therefore not recommended as a staple diet.

Compound

Here's an example of the ingredients of two premium dog foods from the list that the manufacturer recommends for feeding adult dogs.

BOZITA Lamb & Rice is a wet food with lamb and rice.

• Ingredients: pork, chicken, beef, rice (7%), carrots, processed lamb (4%), calcium carbonate and potassium chloride.
• Nutritional value per 1 kilogram of feed: vitamins A-4000 IU, D3-400 IU, E-12 mg. Microelements: copper-2 mg (copper-(II) pentahydrate and sulfate), manganese - about 2 mg (as oxides), zinc and its compounds -12 mg (sulfate monohydrate), iodine - at least 0.6 mg (calcium iodate).
• Additional elements: cinnamon resin - 3675 mg.
• Nutritional values: protein – at least 8.5%, fats (animal and vegetable) – 6.4%, vegetable fiber – 0.5%, crude ash – 2.1% (calcium – at least 0.35%, phosphorus – 0.3%). Feed moisture content – ​​approximately 80%.

This food is GMO-free. Energy value: 275 kJ per 100 grams. The daily requirement for an animal weighing 10 to 15 kg is approximately 680-900 grams.

Happy Dog Nature Line Lamb with rice.

• Feed composition: coarsely processed rice, processed lamb meat, vitamins and minerals, vegetable oil.
• Nutritional value: proteins - 11%, fats - 4.5%, fiber - at least 0.5%, water - 80%.
• This food is also soy-free and dye-free. It is non-GMO. Recommended dosage: 30-40 grams per 1 kg of animal weight.
• If the dog weighs 10-15 kg, the daily feeding amount is 300-600 g. Supplements are not listed.

It's worth emphasizing that wet food is indispensable during post-operative rehabilitation for dogs or during recovery from illness—premium therapeutic dog foods are created specifically for this purpose. Canned food is the best option for puppies transitioning from milk to solid food. Canned food is also recommended for older dogs, as dry food can become difficult for them to chew.

Specialized feeds

The food is intended for a wide variety of dog groups.

For dogs with allergies

Every dog ​​is unique, with a different temperament and personality, requiring a customized approach to training and care. In an effort to meet the needs of each pet, food manufacturers create lines of specialized foods. Brands such as 1st Choice, Dog Chow, and Araton offer premium hypoallergenic dog food that is ideal for dogs with digestive issues and those prone to food allergies. By carefully selecting protein and carbohydrate sources, manufacturers reduce the risk of food intolerance.

Our recommendations in this segment include Araton Adult Lamb and Rice (a 15 kg bag can be purchased for approximately 2300 rubles), Dog Chow Sensitive (a 14 kg bag costs 2600 rubles), and Brit Premium Lamb & Rice (a 15 kg pack costs approximately 3000 rubles).

For small breeds

Small breed dogs require specialized nutrition due to their accelerated metabolism compared to their larger counterparts. Their stomachs can't accommodate large volumes of food, and a low-calorie diet can't support their high activity levels. Therefore, premium small breed dog food must be highly digestible and provide a high energy value. Among the brands in this segment, Araton and Bosch frequently receive positive reviews.

They contain small amounts of corn, barley, or soy (these grains only add bulk to the food and are of no benefit to your pet). Essential components of these foods include micro- and macronutrients: zinc, manganese, copper, cobalt, iron, potassium, sodium, and calcium. Vitamins C, A, E, D3, K3, and B12 are also included. These premium small dog food manufacturers also tailor their kibble shape, structure, and size to the small teeth of small breed dogs.

Among this group of foods, we recommend Bosch Adult Mini (a 3 kg pack costs about 900 rubles) and Araton Adult Mini-Medium (a 3 kg package costs an average of 600 rubles).

For large breeds

The developmental process of large-breed dogs is completely different from that of small or medium-sized dogs. This is due to their growth period lasting up to two years. During this period of active growth and weight gain, large dogs experience increased stress on their joints and ligaments. When developing premium dry food for large dogs, manufacturers must take this important aspect into account. Dog Chow and Brekkeis Exel are particularly noteworthy for large-breed dogs, as they contain chondroitin sulfate, collagen, and glucosamine sulfate.

These substances significantly reduce the risk of developing diseases related to the musculoskeletal system. To ensure optimal skeletal growth, premium food for large dogs from these brands maintains a balance of minerals, phosphorus, and calcium. A special chelated form of minerals ensures their better absorption by the body and prevents excessive mineralization and bone fragility. These foods also contain vitamins (A, E, D) and offer high nutritional value.

For large dog breeds, our resource recommends Dog Chow Adult Large Breed food (average price 2200 rubles for 14 kg), as well as Brekkies Exel Dog Maxi 25+ (approximate cost of a 20 kg bag is 3000 rubles).

For older dogs

Unfortunately, as dogs age, irreversible changes occur in their bodies, resulting in specific nutritional needs. Primarily, this includes decreased activity. If their diet remains unchanged, obesity will inevitably follow. Therefore, there are special premium foods for senior dogs, including Bosch Senior, Josera, and Brit. These foods contain less fat and contain L-carnitine, which prevents excess fat accumulation.

The aforementioned brands also contain increased amounts of vitamins E and C, which act as antioxidants and slow the aging process. Arthritis is common in older dogs, so the aforementioned foods also contain chondroitin, glucosamine, and MSM, which support ligament and joint function.

For older dogs, we recommend Brit Senior S, M, or L (depending on the pet's size). The price for a 15 kg bag varies around 3,000 rubles. Bosch Senior High Premium is also a good choice; a 12.5 kg bag costs around 3,500 rubles.

For castrated and sterilized dogs

After spaying or neutering your pet, it's important to consider a new diet. Your pet's hormonal levels change, and this will inevitably impact their weight. When their dog gains weight, some owners decide to put them on a diet by cutting back on their food. This approach has proven ineffective: as soon as the diet is stopped, the weight immediately returns and even increases.

Premium, special food for neutered dogs is rare; it's widely available in the super-premium segment. This type of diet is lower in calories but balanced to ensure the pet is well-nourished and not left hungry. The protein source in these foods is lean meat, such as chicken or turkey. A mandatory ingredient in such foods is L-carnitine, a natural substance that accelerates the breakdown of fats and prevents their accumulation. Generally, all foods for neutered dogs are above premium, but they also cost 20-30% more than premium food.

A dog is a predator

Grain-free dog food has recently become increasingly popular. These foods contain 70-80% meat, with the remaining ingredients consisting of fruits, vegetables, herbs, and plant-based fats. Premium grain-free dog food is extremely rare; only Acana, Orijen, Pronature, Bosch. Even these manufacturers have a separate line of grain-free foods, which are often more expensive than premium and super-premium products. Many dog ​​owners choose this type of diet for their pets because they believe that carnivores are not accustomed to eating grains.

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