Dear Vets: I am getting a new puppy soon. There are lots of choices of foods in the stores, what is the best brand to feed her?
Good question - diet is an extremely important aspect of a pet's care, especially in the growing stage of life. There are two important criteria that should be met in selecting food for your puppy. We recommend a premium name-brand food made by a well-established pet nutrition company like Hill's or Iams and a form made for puppies. There are indeed numerous brands on the market, some with lower quality ingredients and more filler. Generally, "you get what you pay for" so consider not only price but the nutrient content and company reputation.
Check the label for a veterinary medical national association stamp of approval. The endorsement will certify that the food meets the minimum requirements for pet food. Some commercial foods will have this stamp, most generics do not.
Premium brands are typically sold at veterinary practices and specialty pet stores.
Puppy food should be fed until your pup is about 12-18 months of age, depending on the breed and it's size. Feeding a dry, canned or semi-moist form of dog food is acceptable. Each has it's advantages and disadvantages. Dry food is usually the most inexpensive. It can be left in the dog's bowl without drying.
The good brands of dry food are just as nutritious as the other types.
Canned foods are often more appealing to a dog's taste but if you feed an extremely tasty food you are at risk of creating a dog with a finicky appetite. The semi-moist foods are very high in sugar and may contribute to obesity. As a rule, most veterinarians will recommend dry food for your puppy.
We enjoy a variety of foods to eat in our diet. However, most dogs actually prefer not to change from one food to another, unless they are trained to do so by the way you feed them. Do not feel guilty if your dog is happy to eat just one food day after day, week after week.
Commercials for pet foods can be very misleading. If you watch them carefully, you will notice that they promote on one basis TASTE.
Nutrition is rarely mentioned. Most of the "gourmet" foods are marketed to appeal to owners who want what is best for their dogs; however, they do not offer any nutritional advantages over a premium quality dry food, and are far more expensive. If your dog eats a gourmet food or table scraps, it will probably not be happy with other foods. If it needs a special diet due to a health problem later in life, it is very unlikely to accept it. This is one of the reasons most veterinarians prefer Hill's Science diet. The company is the leader in pet nutrition and many types of diets for all life stages and prescription lines for medical conditions.
If you would like to ask Dr Lana or Dr Tiffany from the Cayman Islands Hospital a question about your pets, please e-mail askthevets@caymannetnews.com.
