Dogs are just like family members, and just as each member needs individual attention and care, they require the same, if not more. It is excellent to treat them just like other family members. Still, these furry friends also have specific dietary needs, so feeding them homemade food just like a family member is wrong. Dogs do not get their essential nutrients from your home-cooked food. Every dog's nutritional needs are almost the same, more or less, but it has some minute variations based on breed. Deciding the best brand for your dog requires you to consider his specific nutritional needs and some knowledge about pet food label reading. But we have already done the toil for you and compared all the brands available that are best in terms of quality and nutritional profile.
Is it okay to give your dog home-cooked meals?
When we go grocery shopping, we keep in mind things like calories, Nutritional value, expiry date, ingredients, etc., so the same should be applied to the food we give to our dogs. Moreover, some human foods are not meant to be consumed by dogs because they may prove toxic for them, causing various health issues and even death in some cases.
We recommend feeding your dog the food explicitly made for them to prevent something like this from happening. Commercial dog foods are made while taking into account various breed-specific nutritional needs of your dogs.
Things to take into account when buying food for your dog.
Check Ingredients
Picking dog food may be tricky at first, but once you get the hang of it, it'll be a cakewalk. It is said that the most important thing about buying dog food is the first five ingredients, so keep that in mind the next time you are buying food for your dog.
Grain or No Grain?
Generally speaking, it is not advisable to feed your dog grains as most dogs may be allergic. But if your dog happens not to be allergic, you can feed them grain-based foods. But do keep in mind that anything in excess is never a good thing, and so grains might help your dogs with healthy bowel movements, but grains like corn, if fed more than necessary, may cause severe ailments down the road.
Your Dog's Breed
Every dog is unique in a way; the nutritional requirements of a pug will differ from that of a German Shepherd. Keep reading below for our curated list of the best dog food brands available in India right now:
1) ACANA
Acana is a subsidiary operating under Champion pet foods, founded by Reinhard Muhlenfeld in 1979 in Alberta, Canada. They are dedicated to making quality pet food currently sold in over seventy countries worldwide.
Acana dog food comprises quality ingredients that meet your dog's nutritional requirements—combining Fresh raw ingredients with fruits and vegetables for a balanced meal!
Type: Dry Food
Main Ingredients: Fruits, Vegetables, Rice, Chicken, and Eggs.
Some Other Benefits:
- Adapted to dogs' specific needs
- Excellent nutritional value
- Protein-rich
- Available for dogs of all ages
Disadvantages:
2) ROYAL CANIN
Royal Canin was founded in 1968 in Gard, France, and has been dedicated to making premium quality dog and cat food ever since. Operating under its parent organization, Mars incorporated, Royal Canin conducts thorough research to create and test food supplements required for specific breeds and traits.
Main Ingredients: Dehydrated Poultry Protein, Maize, Dehydrated Pork Protein, and Animal Fat.
Some Other Benefits:
- Nutritional value
- Easily digestible
- Boosts natural immunity
Disadvantages:
- Contains by-products
- Fillers like corn and rice have no nutritional value for dogs
3) ORIJEN
Orijen is a subsidiary operating under Champion pet foods, founded by Reinhard Muhlenfeld in 1985 in Alberta, Canada. They are dedicated to making quality pet food currently sold in over seventy countries worldwide.
Orijen dog food comprises quality ingredients that meet your dog's nutritional requirements. The first three ingredients are chicken, turkey, and flounder fish, and the remaining ingredients are Whole eggs, organ meats like liver, and various legumes.
Type: Dry Food
Main Ingredients: Chicken, Turkey, Flounder, Eggs, Mackerel, and Herring.
Some Other Benefits:
- Rich in protein
- Fresh meat instead of frozen
- Improves digestion
- Keeps coat shiny
Disadvantages:
- Might not be suitable for all dogs since it has high protein content. Dogs that are not very active physically may not be able to thrive on this diet
- Expensive
4) Farmina N&D
Farmina N&D is a family-run business started by Mr. Francesco Russo in 1965. They have been making premium dog food for over fifty years. The company was passed down through the generations in the Russo family, maintaining their family-oriented values and passion for animal nutrition.
Main Ingredients: Fruits and Vegetables
Some Other Benefits:
- Highly nutritious
- No fillers
- Appealing to dogs
- Each ingredient is scientifically tested
Disadvantages:
- Inconvenient packaging that reduces the shelf life of the food inside
5) ARDEN GRANGE
Arden Grange was founded in 1996 by Wendy and Graham Stephens Outside of Brighton in Sussex. The couple had been breeding and showcasing high-quality Ardenburg German Shepherds for years before getting into the dog food business. To this day, it is family-owned and runs the business.
A balanced meal of chicken and rice is suitable for moderately active dogs. Whether your dog likes to run around or relax on the couch with you, they can be given this diet.
Type: Dry Dog Food
Main Ingredients: Chicken, Rice, Maize, Yeast, and Eggs.
Some Other Benefits:
- Reduces chances of cancer and heart diseases
- Strengthens bones and cartilage
- Made appealing for dogs
- Easily digestible
Disadvantages:
- Contradicting opinions about the quality
6) Taste Of The Wild
Taste of the wild, owned by the parent company Diamond pet foods, is a pet food brand that is relatively new; having been in the market since 2007, it is quality dog food made with excellent fresh ingredients. Their recipes are made in four US regions: Northern California, Central California, Missouri, and South Carolina.
Main Ingredients: Salmon, Chicory root, Vegetables, Fruits, and Legumes.
Some Other Benefits:
- Suitable for all dogs
- Easily digestible
- No grain formula
- Does not contain eggs, therefore suitable for dogs with sensitive stomachs
Disadvantages:
- Slightly expensive
- It Does not contain too much moisture and needs to be mixed with wet foods to make up for that
- Has a history of recalling a product that is in circulation
7) Drools
Drools is an Indian dog food brand that intends to make quality food for dogs keeping in mind their specific nutritional requirements.
Main Ingredients: Chicken, Whole Dried Eggs, Long Grain Rice, Oats, and Fish Oil.
Some Other Benefits:
- Contains omega 3 fatty acids
- Pocket friendly
Disadvantages:
- May cause obesity
- Average nutritional value
8) Purina
Nestle Purina Petcare is a subsidiary of Nestle, operating in St. Louis, Missouri. With more than 120 years of expertise and experience, the food manufactured by them contains premium quality ingredients that meet your dog's specific nutritional requirements.
Main Ingredients: Cereals, Chicken, Vitamins, Minerals, and Fish Protein.
Some Other Benefits:
- Keeps coat shiny
- Tastes good
Disadvantages:
- Contains fillers
- Source of animal protein is not disclosed
- Was involved in a lawsuit that resulted in the circulated product being recalled
- Better products for the same price are available in the market
Conclusion
We hope this article helps you pick the best dog food. Dry food only contains 10% moisture and does not give them all they need. We want to add that dry dog food; you should provide your pet with clean water 24 hours a day.
A clean water supply and premium-quality dog food are all they need for an optimum lifestyle.
We provided you with as many resources as possible to help you make your own decision. Do let us know what your favorite dog food is and why.
Don't forget to check the recipes online if that's where you do all your pet shopping. All the best!