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What Type of Dog Food Is Best?
There are many different types of dog food to choose from. From a nutritional standpoint, the form it takes (wet vs. dry) doesn't really make a difference. It's all about finding the food that works best for your pet.
Since every pet has different preferences and nutritional requirements, it's important to speak with your veterinarian to get their recommendation on the best nutritional plan for your pet.
How Much Should I Pay for Dog Food?
Try to provide your pet with the best food you can afford. Typically, the more expensive the food, the higher the quality — though that's not always the case. Getting reputable food through the recommendation of your veterinarian is a great place to start.
What Are the Differences Between Puppy Food and Senior Dog Food?
Dogs need different types of food depending on their age:
- Puppies need high levels of protein.
- Puppies also need a proper balance of calcium and phosphorus for bone formation.
- Older dogs may need lower-calorie food to help manage weight gain associated with a slowing metabolism.
- Older dogs also need support for issues like arthritis and deteriorating skin quality.
When it comes to choosing the right food, it's all about balancing the protein, fat and carbohydrates for the different growth stages of your pet, and providing the right food for your pet's lifestyle.
Is Raw Food Safe for My Dog?
From a veterinary standpoint, all the large organizations in the world recommend against raw diets. There's a minimum standard of food quality set forth by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO), and it's important to only feed your pet with food that meets that standard.
How Do I Know If My Dog Needs a Prescription Diet?
Prescription diets are predominantly used to treat diseases. They're essentially medications, and they should only be used under the direction of a veterinarian. Your pet may be prescribed a special diet for issues like urinary health or kidney support, for example.
What Should I Look for in a Dog Treat?
If you're feeding your dog treats, it's important to consider these components:
- Calorie content. Treats are high in calories, so they need to be factored into any weight management strategy for your dog.
- Protein and fat content. Treats should be moderate in protein and low in fat so that your dog doesn't get an upset stomach.
- Texture. Make sure the treat is soft enough to be chewed and digested. Certain treats are very hard, which can cause fractured teeth or a bowel obstruction.
Should I Give My Dog Treats?
While it can be nice to feed your pet treats, veterinarians are cautious about recommending them. That's because when you change your pet's diet, there's a risk of upsetting their bacterial flora. For example, giving dogs treats with high fat content can upset the gut and cause issues like pancreatitis. To keep your pet in optimum health, feeding them a consistent diet is best.
Do Dog Dental Chews Work?
Dog dental chews typically work in one of two ways:
- An abrasive action (the equivalent of toothbrushing)
- A chemical action (the equivalent of gargling)
The abrasive action of a dental chew is limited. If you give your dog a dental chew, it's often gone in seconds, so it doesn't have time to do what it's meant to. Dogs need to chew on the dental chew for 30 minutes to replace brushing.
Should I Give My Dog Supplements?
If you're feeding your pet a well-balanced diet that meets the AAFCO standard, they shouldn't need supplements. They should be getting everything they need from their food, including:
- Fiber. A good, well-balanced diet should meet your dog's fiber needs.
- Probiotics. Your dog's diet should support their bacterial flora to the point where they don't need probiotics.
- Omega-3s. If your dog has healthy skin and fur, they don't need to take a supplement. But if there's a problem, take your pet to the vet to find out what's going on and how to treat it.
Is There a Certain Age to Start Giving Joint Pain Supplements to My Dog?
No, that would be based on the wellness exam and your veterinarian's assessment of your pet and recommendations. It would also depend on the breed of dog, their lifestyle and their body condition.
CareCredit for Veterinarian Care
Need to make an appointment for your pet? The CareCredit credit card can be used for a variety of routine veterinary services, including:
- Checkups
- Pet food and nutrition
- Teeth cleaning
- Vaccinations
- Microchipping
- Medication
- Diagnostics
You can also use the CareCredit credit card for your pet's surgical procedures, including spaying/neutering and hip dysplasia surgery.*
Financing Options for Veterinarian Care
The CareCredit credit card offers promotional financing options that help make it easy for you to pay vet bills over time, and to track and manage what you've spent.* It's a separate line of credit for your vet care and healthcare needs.
Once approved for a CareCredit credit card, you can use it repeatedly (as long as credit is available) for veterinarian care at locations that accept the CareCredit credit card.*
CareCredit can also be used to help you pay for co-pays, coinsurance, deductibles and your health and wellness needs at providers in the CareCredit network. CareCredit is accepted at hundreds of thousands of locations nationwide to pay for care whenever you need and want it.
If you'd like to apply for a CareCredit credit card or find a provider in your area who accepts CareCredit, visit www.carecredit.com.
Meet the Experts
Dr. Andrew Moffatt
Dr. Andrew Moffatt is the founder and CEO of VetnCare, a growing group of AAHA-accredited veterinary hospitals in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Author Bio
Robyn Tellefsen is a freelance writer and editor with nearly 20 years of experience covering health and wellness, finance, and more. Her work has appeared on sites such as LoopNet, Beachside Rehab, First Horizon Bank, SoFi, A Place for Mom, American Express, Chase and more.
This is not a transcript. This is a summary of the information discussed during the interview.
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