Dogs instinctively gravitate toward foods made with fresh meats, vegetables and other healthy ingredients that provide essential nutrition.
The Farmer’s Dog uses real ingredients to craft recipes that taste just like home-cooked meals, including single or limited ingredient recipes that may appeal to finicky eaters. Their selection includes various formulas and freeze-dried options which may make cooking easier!
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1. Look for Natural Flavors
Dogs tend to love meaty flavors, but there are other ingredients they love too. Consider providing your pup with food that contains an assortment of proteins as well as fruits and vegetables for maximum nutritional benefit. Many dogs like eating this kind of food on its own or adding it as a topping onto their kibble or puzzle feeders.
Choose food without artificial flavors, colors and preservatives as this will support healthy skin and coat conditions in your pet. Furthermore, search for one containing natural flavors derived from whole ingredients cooked gently while made in America.
Find food that doesn’t contain gluten and has been created by nutrition experts; that way, you’re assured your pet is receiving all the nutrition she requires. Also look for organic grains grown in Western countries and subject to stringent safety standards as these will give an added layer of assurance to ensure optimal results.
2. Look for High-Quality Ingredients
An ideal diet for every dog is crucial, yet even picky eaters can be won over with foods with natural flavors and high-grade ingredients such as naturally derived meat broths and flavorings, along with fresh fruit, vegetables and tubers like sweet potatoes and carrots.
Looking for foods containing high levels of proteins from meat sources such as chicken, turkey, beef or exotic proteins such as alligator or kangaroo to feed to your pet is key for optimal skin and coat health; many of these also contain enough fat for healthy skin and coat condition as well as nutrients like glucosamine for joint support.
Some brands provide freeze-dried raw foods, which can be rehydrated by soaking in water. They may appeal more strongly to dogs because of their unique texture and mimic the flavor of fresh raw food without needing preservatives. Although more costly, freeze-dried raw foods could appeal to picky eaters while providing more natural nutrition close to what their pet would find in nature.
3. Look for Meat as the First Ingredient
Your dog food’s most crucial ingredient should be meat. Be sure to look for “meat” or specific animal proteins (e.g. chicken, salmon, turkey) among its first few ingredients before reviewing other components on its label – multi-meat proteins and by-products may include less desirable parts such as head feet or intestinal linings that come from animals like chicken.
Also avoid foods labeled as “animal derivatives,” as this could refer to any part of an unspecified animal rather than high-quality meat from one source. Also watch out for any “meal” or “fish meal” products, which could contain dehydrated proteins that don’t provide as high a quality experience than whole, raw meat products.
For high nutrient density food options, look for kibble that includes whole gentle or slow-cooked ingredients for easier digestibility. Or consider The Farmer’s Dog which delivers fresh-food subscription services curated with only natural ingredients and free from common allergens.
4. Look for a Variety of Ingredients
Pet parents seeking organic, raw or minimally processed dog foods tend to favor those that offer better flavor, texture, variety and cost than conventional kibble options – these may offer better taste and texture. They may also help picky eaters.
If your pup is an unsatisfactory eater, try offering various proteins besides what he usually enjoys; for instance if they favor chicken over beef or turkey. Also introduce new flavors by trying food that contains uncommon proteins such as duck or kangaroo meat to show them new experiences and flavors.
Your dog may enjoy having wet food mixed in with their dry food to add variety to their mealtimes and ensure they receive all necessary nutrition. Grocery stores or online retailers carry wet foods tailored specifically for their age and size that you can find here.
