Dry Food for Dogs

Do you buy kibble for your dog? To keep your pet healthy, the dog food should contain a healthy balance of animal protein, fat, carbohydrates, and other necessary nutrients. A balanced diet is the key factor for a healthy and active life. Read on to find out what makes dry food different from other types and what parameters are important.

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What pros (or cons) does kibble have compared to other types?

Kibble is a type of dry dog food. Let's take a look at why you should (or maybe shouldn't) feed it to your dog.

Kibble for dogs - pros

Can serve as both a food supplement and complete nutritious feed.
Contains far less water than wet foods. This makes it more affordable.
Kibble has a long shelf life and is relatively easy to store.
Doesn't dry out in the air unlike canned food. This means less waste.
Hard pellets help keep the dog's teeth and jaws healthy.

Kibble for dogs - cons

Not as fragrant and juicy as wet foods.
The food quickly loses its strong scent if you leave the bag open.

Dog kibble comes in many different flavours. Even the most picky dogs will find something to like.

How to choose the best kibble in 3 steps

Dog kibble is available in many different types. Each dog needs something else—an active, adult dog, for example, has different nutritional requirements than a puppy.

Step 1: Consider the age—kibble for senior dogs is very different from food made for puppies and young dogs

When choosing the right kibble, the most important factor is your dog’s age. The food for old dogs can differ from not only in composition, but also in the pellet size or hardness.

Puppy foods provide the optimal nutrition that puppies need during the first months of their life.
Adult dog foods have a balanced mix of proteins, fats, carbohydrates, and vitamins.
Due to their reduced activity, foods made for senior dogs have lower calorie content.

The age of your dog also influences how often he or she needs to be fed. A puppy usually has a shorter digestive system, so it digests and excretes food faster. This means you have to feed it several times a day in smaller doses.

Step 2: Consider your dog's breed and size

The size of your dog is another factor that kibble makers take into account. As a rule, the feed types are sorted depending on the final weight of the adult dog.

Dog food for small breeds typically has small pellets, easy to chew for dogs with small, weak jaws.
Dog food for medium-sized dog breeds, which are the most common, tends to have an average energy value adapted to the speed of digestion.
Dog food for large breeds is made up of large, chunky pellets. It has an optimally balanced energy value so that the dog doesn’t gain weight, which would strain the joints.

You will also find a range of foods tailored to your dog's specific breed.

Step 3: The amount of exercise your dog gets determines its recommended energy intake

Dog food for active dogs that get lots of exercise is notable for its increased energy content. These foods have a high protein and fat content to give the dog plenty of calories, plus other nutrients needed for proper regeneration of the body during physical exercise. Choose this if your pooch is highly active or participates in dog sports.

Breed Size	Adult Weight	Full Adulthood
Small Breeds	under 10kg	10–12 months
Medium Breeds	under 25kg	12 months
Large Breeds	under 45kg	15–18 months
Giant Dog Breeds	45+kg	24 months

Cold pressed dog food vs. industrially manufactured—what is the difference?

Kibble is usually made in three ways - extruded, baked, and cold pressed. If you are wondering whether production technology has any impact on food quality, read on.

Extruded dog food (industrially manufactured) is processed at a temperature of more than 100°C, which completely eliminates any parasites. This type is the most affordable, but the pellets may bloat and expand in the stomach.
Cold pressed dog food is produced at low temperatures and therefore retains important vitamins, minerals. and fiber. This type doesn’t cause bloat, but it’s more costly than extruded food.
Baked dog pellets are produced at a temperature under 95°C, which ensures at least partial retention of nutrients. Baked pellets don’t expand either, but this type tends to have a lower shelf life and is not suitable for long-term storage.

Ingredients: Make sure to choose high-quality dog kibble with a high meat content

Don’t forget about the meat content and its origin. High-quality dog food with a high meat content can contain several types of muscle, which dogs tend to like. If you want to have a good control of your pet’s diet, avoid food that contains unspecified products of animal origin.

When choosing dog food, use the parametric filter in the left menu, which lets you set the minimum fresh meat content in the dry matter. The filter also allows you to specify other requirements, such as a weight-loss diet or extra antioxidants or yucca.

Does your dog have a sensitive digestive system? Try the hypoallergenic food range

Hypoallergenic dry food is made for pets suffering from any allergies or food intolerances. It typically contains rapidly digestible ingredients and a number of probiotics to keep the gut healthy. These foods are also divided by age, size, and activity level.

Grain-free dog food represents a viable alternative for sensitive pets

Grain-free dog food typically contains meat, vegetables, fruits, and herbs. The downside is that this type lacks fiber, vitamins, and many minerals that are contained in grain, but on the other hand it doesn’t irritate sensitive digestive systems or cause allergies.

Animals suffer from diseases just like we do—what food to choose for a diabetic dog?

Diabetes is a disease that can strike even our four-legged friends. If you have a diabetic dog, choose a diet with a low glycaemic index, which generally means grain-free dog food, low in fat and fiber. Grain-free foods can therefore provide a solution for owners of diabetic dogs as well.

Large or small? 15kg dog food bags will save you time and money

Let’s say you have found the food brand and type your dog actually likes. If you can, buy a large bag of food right away and don’t bother with small packs. A 15kg bag of kibble will last you a long time and save you both time and money, since your dog will be well-supplied and you won’t have to go off searching for more food in a week or two. Choose small sample packs only if you are trying the particular brand/type for the first time.

A lidded food container will come in handy if you decide to buy a large bag. The pellets quickly lose their aroma after opening the bag and your dog may not like them as much.