Choosing what and how to feed your dog can feel like an overwhelming decision.
With lots of methods available and pros and cons for each, it can be tricky to know which is the best option for your pup.
We’re aiming to make the decision easier for you.
So, we’ve gathered heaps of details about the different ways of feeding a dog together in this article. Keep reading to discover all the info that will help you decide which method is right for you.
Which Way Of Feeding A Dog Is The Best?
What Are The Different Ways Of Feeding A Dog?
Dog Biscuits Or Kibble
Probably the most common method of feeding a dog is dog biscuits or kibble. This method is popular for a reason. High quality dog biscuits are specially formulated for a pup’s specific dietary needs. That means they contain all the ingredients, vitamins and minerals your doggo needs to stay happy and healthy.
But, it is important to remember that not all dog kibbles are created equally. Often, cheaper or mass produced brands will contain additives, fillers and preservatives to bulk them out and keep them fresh on the shelves. These are the things that your pup does NOT need in their diet.
So, when selecting a dog biscuit, make sure you choose one with natural, premium ingredients, and one that is locally produced for freshness. Real Dog Food ticks all those boxes and is a great complete choice for feeding your pup.
Raw Feeding
Raw feeding is another readily used feeding option. It involves feeding your dog raw meat and bones, and even fruits and vegetables. In recent years, this has become an increasingly popular form of feeding. However, there are some concerns involved with a raw food diet.
Ancestrally, dogs have always hunted and consumed a lot of meat. This has contributed to the belief that raw meat is the ideal diet for dogs. Modern raw feeding often consists of nicely portioned out meals of meat and offal. But, those portions are missing key ingredients, contributing to deficiencies in your dog’s diet. Calcium is usually the main ingredient lacking, which can lead to bone weakness and deformities in your pup.
Many commercial raw meat pet foods can also contain harmful bacteria. So, it is important to be aware of these things before choosing raw food as your feeding path. You may need to include supplements in your dog’s diet if you choose this feeding option.
Home Made Dog Food
Fancy yourself as a bit of a dab hand in the kitchen? Then, you may be interested in creating your own dog food. Homemade meals do have the advantage of offering you control over the ingredients that are included and your dog will always have fresh meals.
However, you need to ensure that the meals you are providing will meet your dog’s individual dietary needs. There are a lot of nutrients that keep a pup healthy, so you’ll have to include them in the meals you prepare.
It’s also essential to be aware of ingredients that can be toxic to dogs. That way, you can avoid accidentally including them in your dog’s meals.
Combination Feeding
Not sold on a complete diet or biscuits or a completely raw food plan? Then, combination feeding could be a solution. This involves feeding your dog a combination of biscuits, meat or homemade concoctions.
This kind of feeding can make portion control a challenge and you will still need to ensure all of their nutritional bases are being covered. But this does add an element of variety for pups who get bored of one food easily.
Scheduled Feeding
Going beyond the types of foods you feed your pup, you also need to consider what structure you will give your puppo when it comes to eating. Scheduled feeding involves feeding your dog at specific times of the day.
Feeding at a set time helps to regulate your dog’s eating habits, aids in their portion control and can be a beneficial training aid.
Free Feeding
At the other end of the spectrum to scheduled feeding is free feeding. This involves leaving food out for your dog to graze on throughout the day. The validity of this feeding method will depend on the diet you are choosing, as obviously, it is not ideal to leave raw meat out on a summer’s day!
Free feeding will mean that your dog can take a nibble whenever they feel hungry, however, some dogs may end up overeating. If you choose this method, you will need to keep an eye on your dog’s weight and overall health to ensure they are only eating what they need.
What Is The Best Diet For My Dog?
The best diet for your dog is one that meets all of its nutritional needs. That’s why so many people choose to feed a high quality, complete dog kibble as it is the simplest solution to keep your dog happy and healthy with the right blend of goodness.
And if you are looking for the ultimate dog food, you can’t go past Real Dog Food. Formulated by pet nutritionists and veterinary specialists, it is a food made from human-grade premium ingredients like grass fed beef, chicken, fish, brown rice and corn.
With everything your dog needs to stay full and healthy, Real Dog Food is a favourite choice of many New Zealand dog owners. With options for all dogs, including grain-free and allergy-friendly blends, we are sure you’ll find something your pup loves, or we’ll give you your money back!
Browse our range of dog food now.
