Every dog owner should take the pet’s health into consideration. These loving animals quickly become part of the family, and there’s a good chance that the term “man’s best friend” applies. For this reason, a dog’s health needs to be added to the list of priorities, especially since these furry creatures don’t have much control over their health.
They rely entirely on their pet owners, and have no control over what goes into their bodies – like whether it is premium dog food or low-quality kibble. Unfortunately, many pet owners don’t understand the importance of diet when it comes to a dog’s health; they assume that the $5.99 bag of kibble serves the same purpose as the $29.99 option.
This is not the case, not at all. If increasing a dog’s longevity of life and overall well being is on your agenda as a pet owner, it is time to start splurging on premium dog food. In the long run, it might even save you money since the chances of canine health problems are less likely to arise. This means fewer vet bills down the road.
The Proof is in the Labels
When comparing the labels of cheap kibble to premium dog food, premium dog food comes out on top 100% of the time. Low-quality dog foods are riddled with fillers and “proteins” that don’t actually bring any value. Many of them are wheat-based, since wheat is a cheap binding tool that dog food manufacturers seem to love.
Do your best to avoid wheat-based dog foods. Many canines have gluten sensitivity, but unfortunately they can’t just tap their owners on the shoulder to let them know about it. Feeding a canine with gluten sensitivity wheat-based food can lead to a whole bevy of gut problems, ones that can cause irreversible damage. So go premium to prevent this from happening.
Some Dog Food Providers Use Artificial Colors
Just about every dog food is colored in some way or another, or else all kibble would be greyish in color. Premium dog food providers will use coloring tactics that pose no threat to a dog’s health, whereas a low-level one choose artificial coloring agents. These can cause a lot of issues with a dog’s intestinal tract, so do your best to avoid brightly colored foods. Kibbles that come in pretty colors like reds, yellows, and greens should definitely be avoided.
Not only do low-level kibbles contain artificial colors, but artificial everything. Preservatives are a must-have ingredient in dog food, but artificial preservatives like BHA, BHT, potassium sorbate, sodium nitrate, and ethoxyquin are extremely harmful. These are the ones that are often found in cheap kibble, whereas a premium brand will use natural preservatives instead.
Cheap Dog Foods Offer No Nutritional Value
Even if a brand claims to contain “protein” or “complete nutrition”, this cannot always be trusted. Generally speaking, the low-cost kibble does not actually contain any ingredients of value. Sure, they’ll make your pet feel full, but they won’t be doing your dog any favors in terms of health. Protein comes in many forms, and some of these forms offer no value whatsoever.