Understanding the Different Types of Dog Food

It may be challenging as a pet parent to choose the best food for your dog when there are so many options on the market. But before you choose the finest kind of dog food for your pet, it’s important to understand the different varieties. This will help you make an informed decision on the best type of food for your dog. 

Keep in mind that, whichever variety you choose, the food you feed your pooch has to meet its nutritional needs. Before deciding on a brand, it’s important to know the benefits of every kind of dog food that is accessible to you. We’ve gone into great detail on the various types of dog food to help you make the best choice.

What are the various types of dog food

Here are the four types of dog food:

1. Kibble or dry dog food:

Kibble, or dry dog food, is the first commercially available dog food. Extrusion is the method used to make dry dog food. Ingredients are combined, heated, and then pressed through an extruder machine.

The extruder then shapes the obtained mixture into tiny, dry pellets. The pellets are dried further to eliminate any moisture. Next, these pellets are packed and sold as dry dog food.

It is believed that the term “kibble” originated from the Old English word “cybble,” which denotes a little portion of anything. 

Advantages of kibble:

• Kibble is cost-effective, long-lasting, and an easy alternative to wet or fresh dog food. 
• Kibble is also a convenient and nutritious option for a lot of pet owners. 
• Chewing kibble is also good for your canine companion’s health.

Disadvantages of kibble:

• Kibble contains highly processed ingredients, flavor enhancers, and high-starch carbohydrates.

• Dry dog food isn’t high in nutritional value as it is exposed to high temperatures when compared to homemade dog treats.

• Overfeeding this type of dog food can lead to pet obesity.

2. Wet dog food or canned food:

Canine companions are more fond of wet dog food as it is easy to chew due to its high moisture content.

Cans containing wet food are filled, vacuum sealed, and sterilized in a heat and steam chamber before being labeled. Wet dog food has a 70% to 80% moisture content compared to dry dog food, which contains only 10 to 12%.

Advantages of Wet Dog Food:

• Compared to kibble, this kind of dog food has fewer carbohydrates and more animal protein.
• There are no artificial preservatives as they are stored in airtight containers.
• It is useful for dogs that don’t drink enough water and helps keep them hydrated.
• Highly recommended for dogs with dental problems, poor scent perception, or a decreased desire to eat.

Disadvantages of Wet Dog Food:

• Dog food that is wet tends to spoil quickly.
• Costlier than Kibble
• It is problematic if it is stored in cans with BPA linings, which may pose health hazards.
• Nutrients are frequently destroyed during processing.
• Doesn’t offer a wide range of nutrients.

3. Raw dog food:

Raw dog chow is an uncooked meal consisting of bones, organs, and raw meat, along with any related fat and connective tissue.

It is a good calcium and phosphorus supplier. Many dogs take this kind of food well since they have short intestines and powerful stomach acids.

Advantages of raw dog food:

• Raw dog food omits the need for dental care
• Reduced allergies due to the absence of ingredients that can trigger allergic reactions
• It is easy to chew and digest as raw food comes from unprocessed resources.
• This kind of dog food helps improve skin and coat health of your pooch.

Disadvantages of raw dog food:

• It takes a lot of time to prepare and is not cost-effective.
• This kind of dog food can introduce choking hazards and intestinal blockages due to broken teeth.
• Raw dog food is not travel-friendly.  

4. Dehydrated dog food:

Dehydrated dog food is an emerging type of dog food. It is made by removing moisture through a slow cooking process from raw dog food. They’re quite handy and provide raw dog food in a more convenient form. The process of removing moisture from food ingredients with a low-heat drying method is known as dehydration.

Dehydrated dog foods are entirely uncooked or lightly cooked before the moisture is extracted at low heat. This may be a more recent style for many pet owners, but it does have some truly remarkable advantages.

Advantages of dehydrated dog food:

• It is more nutritious than kibble or wet dog food because of the slow, low-heat processing.
• You can customize this kind of dog food to your pup’s preference, be it a soup-like consistency or a heartier stew.
• It is easy to prepare and is a suitable food option for all breeds of dogs.
• Most dehydrated foods are made with all-natural, human-grade ingredients and zero preservatives.

Disadvantages of dehydrated dog food:

• It is costlier than kibble and canned food due to its nutritional value.
• It requires the extra step of rehydration before feeding it to your fur baby.

5. Freeze dried dog food:

Dog foods with ingredients dried out at very cold temperatures are known as freeze-dried foods. This improves the food’s quality and elongates its shelf life.

Both dehydration and freeze-drying lengthen the shelf life of items. But freeze-drying requires a much lower temperature during the dehydration process.

Advantages of freeze-dried dog food:

• More nutritious compared to dehydrated dog food and kibble
• Longer shelf life due to the process of freeze-drying

Disadvantages of freeze-dried dog food:

• It is more expensive than other kinds of dog food.
• Requires the extra step of rehydration before feeding your canine companion.
• There’s a risk of bacteria contamination in freeze-dried dog foods if they are not handled properly.

Make the best choice for your furry friend:

Now we have discussed various types of dog foods that are available for your pooch. Each type of dog food comes with its own pros and cons. Also, keep in mind your own preferences, budget, and convenience, and choose the right kind of dog food that suits the nutritional requirements of your pet. It is better to consult the veterinarian before introducing a new dog food.