When purchasing dog food, some people are confused over which product they should buy. In many cases, they make a decision based on the packaging or price. However, it is always wise to compare and contrast the different products to establish which one suits your pet best. Below is a guide with several tips on how to buy dog food. 

Type of Dog Food

Dry foods do not need refrigeration; therefore, they are convenient for most people since they last long and are easy to serve. These foods are your best bet if you regularly travel with your dog. Dry foods also reduce dog tartar since they are crunchy. Canned foods are wet; hence, they are easy to digest. Their downside is that once you open the can, you have to seal it tight to prevent pests and bacteria. These foods could also be a bit pricier than dry foods. Semi-moist dog food comes in different packaging. For instance, it could resemble meats or a burger. Their downside is that they have nutritional value compared to dry and moist foods. 

Nutrient Content 

Read the dog food's packaging to determine the product's nutritional content. Depending on your needs, you might opt for foods with a high protein, carbohydrate or mineral content. Conduct thorough research to establish the nutritional needs of your dog. For instance, security dogs need foods with a high energy content since they spend most of their day on the move. If your dog suffers from a nutritional disease, pay attention to their diet. For example, you could consider low-fat content dog food if your dog suffers from obesity. On the other hand, a high fibre diet will help address diarrhoea issues. Some companies package foods to suit your dog's developmental stage. For example, some dog foods suit puppies while others are for adult dogs.   

Manufacturing 

Examining the dog food's manufacturing process is pretty challenging. However, there are several ways to establish the quality of dog food. For instance, you could rely on customer reviews to determine whether the dog food is high quality. Internet research will help you determine whether the product has misleading packaging. For example, some companies fail to indicate that dog food contains allergens such as wheat gluten and toxic substances such as aflatoxins. As a rule, the product should be certified by local and international food agencies. These certifications guarantee that the dog food undergoes rigorous tests to ensure it contains the prescribed nutritional content and does not contain dangerous substances.