Kibble dog food is a fast-growing choice recommended by most dog breeders and owners as a good option for dogs. This is not surprising, though, because most kibble is very rich in ingredients and helps boost your dog’s diet, making it balanced, but it also contains some essential immune-boosting ingredients for your dog.
However due to how on-demand this type of dog food is, there has been a large growth in industries producing this food. This makes it very difficult to know which type of kibble is best for your dog and which is not. In this post, though, we plan to simplify this task for you. How? By sharing with you ten ingredients, that every good kibble dog food should have. So, what are ten ingredients high-quality kibbles should have?
High-quality kibble will contain many good and rich ingredients, including the following.
- Real Meat
- Whole Grains
- Fruits and Vegetables
- Healthy Fats
- Probiotics and Prebiotics
- Glucosamine and Chondroitin
- Natural Preservatives
- High-Quality Protein Meal
- Essential Vitamins and Minerals
- No Artificial Additives
Now, consider why these ten ingredients help separate high-quality kibble or dry food from regular kibble. We will also share five ingredients almost every basic good kibble has. This will help you separate the okay kibble brands from those spot on. We hope this helps you make a better-informed decision the next time you visit the store. Finally, we will consider five dog food ingredients to avoid and why.
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Why Are These Ten Ingredients a Most Have In High-quality Kibble Dog Food?
This is because meat, whole grains, fruits and vegetables, and so on contain essential nourishments that will help improve your dog’s overall look and health, ensuring they live long and fulfilling lives. Let’s cover this in much detail as we consider the features of each of these dog food ingredients. This will help you. Understand why your dog food brand must have these ten ingredients.
Real Meat Important in Kibble
Real meat is essential for good high-quality kibble because it provides essential protein and amino acids for a dog’s overall health. Dogs are primarily predatory animals, and their diet should be rich in animal-based protein to support muscle development, immune function, and various bodily functions. The percentage of meat in an ideal high-quality kibble can vary depending on the specific brand and formula.
Generally, it’s recommended to choose a dog food with a substantial amount of meat as the first ingredient, preferably within the top three ingredients listed on the packaging. A high-quality kibble should ideally contain around 25-30% or more real meat to provide adequate protein for your dog’s needs. However, this can vary based on your dog’s age, breed, and activity level, so consulting with a veterinarian is always a good idea to ensure you’re meeting your pet’s dietary requirements.
Whole Grain
Whole grains can improve the quality of kibble by providing essential carbohydrates, fiber, and nutrients that support your dog’s overall health. These grains can help provide a steady energy source, aid digestion, and contribute to your dog’s overall well-being.
The percentage of whole grain needed to be considered a high-quality dog food can vary depending on the specific formulation and your dog’s needs. Generally, high-quality kibble should contain a reasonable amount of whole grains, preferably as one of the main ingredients. It’s recommended to look for dog food that contains around 40% or more of whole grains in the formula. However, the percentage may vary based on your dog’s age, breed, activity level, and dietary sensitivities. Consulting with a veterinarian can help determine the appropriate amount of whole grain for your pet’s needs.
Fruits and Vegetables
Fruits and vegetables are essential in high-quality kibble dog food because they provide important vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that support your dog’s immune system, promote overall health, and help maintain a shiny coat and healthy skin. Additionally, these ingredients offer dietary fiber, which aids in digestion and supports gastrointestinal health.
The amount of fruits and vegetables needed for high-quality kibble will often depend on your breed of dog and its size. Good kibble should contain a substantial amount of fruits and vegetables, preferably within the top five ingredients listed on the packaging. It’s recommended to look for dog food that contains around 20% or more fruits and vegetables in the formula. However, as with other ingredients, the percentage may vary based on your dog’s age, breed, activity level, and dietary considerations. We recommend consulting your veterinarian to get the right kibble for your dog’s needs.
Healthy Fat
There are many reasons why healthy fats are essential in a high-quality kibble dog food brand, but we will consider a few.
1. Energy Source: Healthy fats in kibble provide concentrated and easily digestible energy to support your dog’s active lifestyle and metabolism.
2. Skin and Coat Health: Fats, particularly omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, promote healthy skin, reduce inflammation, and contribute to a shiny, lustrous coat in dogs.
And just like the other ingredients above, every high-quality kibble must have a percentage of healthy fats. This should usually be around 10-15% or more healthy fats to help meet your dog’s energy and nutritional needs. However, the percentage can vary based on your dog’s age, breed, activity level, and overall health. Always consult a veterinarian to determine the appropriate amount of fat in your dog’s diet.
Probiotics and Prebiotics
A high-quality kibble must also contain probiotics and prebiotics. This is because of two major reasons…
1. Digestive Health: Probiotics are beneficial bacteria that support a healthy gut by promoting a balanced digestive system. They aid in proper digestion and nutrient absorption, reducing digestive issues like gas and diarrhea.
2. Immune Support: Probiotics can enhance your dog’s immune system, helping them fight harmful pathogens and infections more effectively.
Prebiotics, conversely, serve as food for probiotics, nourishing and encouraging the growth of these beneficial bacteria in the gut. Though a good Kibble dog food should contain pro and prebiotics, you might still find it handy to get some additional probiotic supplements that we trust. It’s effective and currently sells for 24 dollars on Amazon.
Glucosamine and Chondroitin
Glucosamine and Chondroitin are natural compounds crucial in dogs’ joint health and mobility. As dogs age or engage in strenuous activities, their joint cartilage can wear down, leading to discomfort and reduced mobility.
Including Glucosamine and Chondroitin in high-quality kibble helps support joint health by promoting cartilage regeneration, reducing inflammation, and improving joint flexibility.
These supplements can be particularly beneficial for aging or active dogs prone to joint issues, as they can help alleviate discomfort and improve overall mobility, leading to a more active and comfortable lifestyle. Some natural sources of Glucosamine and Chondroitin include shrimps, lobsters, and shellfish. This type of fish is very healthy and could also be included as part of a natural diet for your dog.
Natural Preservatives
High-quality kibble uses natural preservatives such as tocopherols (Vitamin E) and rosemary extract to maintain freshness and extend shelf life.
These natural preservatives serve the same purpose as synthetic additives, preventing the food from becoming rancid or losing its nutritional value over time.
Natural preservatives are high-quality kibble to ensure that no potentially harmful artificial chemicals or additives are present in your dog’s diet, providing a safer and healthier option for your furry companion.
At this junction, we feel it will be nice to introduce to you the Trooper dog food brand. This kibble dog food contains all the valuable and essential ingredients discussed in this post.
vets also recommend it for dogs that are picky with their food. We recommend you check this dog food brand out and see if it is just what you have been searching desperately for.
High-Quality Protein Meals
High-quality kibble includes protein meals from reliable chicken, fish, or lamb sources. These protein meals are created by rendering and drying fresh meat to produce a concentrated protein source with minimal moisture content. Including high-quality protein, meals ensure that the kibble contains a significant amount of essential amino acids, which are the building blocks of proteins necessary for your dog’s growth, muscle development, and tissue repair. Protein is crucial for supporting your dog’s overall health, immune function, and skin and coat health.
Essential Vitamins and Minerals
A high-quality kibble is carefully formulated to include a balanced blend of essential vitamins and minerals to meet your dog’s nutritional needs. Vitamins such as A, B-complex, D, and E play various roles in supporting your dog’s immune system, maintaining healthy vision, promoting cellular health, and aiding metabolism.
Minerals like calcium, phosphorus, zinc, and others are essential for bone health, muscle function, and overall well-being. By providing these vital nutrients in the right proportions, high-quality kibble helps ensure that your dog receives the necessary building blocks for optimal health and growth.
Though a healthy kibble should contain a percentage of essential vitamins, it is recommended you give your dog an external more intentional multivitamin to help tackle those hips and joints.
We recommend the Pet Honesty brand of multivitamins for obvious reasons. It is easy to administer and is made using natural ingredients. it is also a constant feature in vet clinics as a method of treating hips and joint problems in adult dogs and puppies.
High-Quality Kibble Must Contain Non-Artificial Additives
High-quality kibble is free from artificial additives like artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives. Artificial additives are unnecessary in dog food and can sometimes cause allergies or adverse reactions in dogs. By avoiding artificial additives, high-quality kibble minimizes the risk of potential health issues and offers a wholesome and nutritious diet for your dog. It contains only natural and essential ingredients, providing a well-balanced and safe diet option for your furry friend. Now that we have considered ten ingredients every good kibble should contain, it’s time to consider five ingredients it shouldn’t.
5 Ingredients a High-Quality Kibble Should Never Have
Certainly! Here’s a list of five ingredients that should never be in dog food, along with explanations of why they should be avoided:
1. Artificial Preservatives
This ingredient should be avoided completely when picking out kibble for your dog. This is because Synthetic preservatives like BHA, BHT, and ethoxyquin have been linked to potential health issues in dogs, including allergies and liver problems in dogs. It’s best to choose dog foods preserved with natural alternatives like tocopherols (Vitamin E) or rosemary extract.
2. Artificial Colors and Flavors
Artificial colors and flavors are not nutritional and may cause allergies or hyperactivity in some dogs. High-quality dog foods rely on natural ingredients for color and flavor, providing a safer and healthier option. We strongly advise you to avoid dog food kibble containing artificial colors and flavors because there is no telling what harm it could cause your dogs.
3. Meat By-Products
Meat by-products are low-quality animal parts like organs, feet, and beaks, which may lack the necessary nutrients in whole meats. Opt for dog foods that use high-quality, named meat sources as the primary protein ingredients. Dog owners and breeders aim to produce healthy and attractive dogs. Meat by-products can not help us achieve that. So this is why we strongly suggest you avoid kibbles that contain ingredients like chicken liver, kidneys, or intestines as the major source of protein.
4. Corn Syrup or Sugars
Added sugars, like corn syrup or sucrose, are unnecessary in dog food and can lead to obesity and dental problems. Quality dog foods do not contain added sugars to maintain a healthier diet for your dog. It is also important to note the harm regular salt consumption does to humans who can eat various foods with later side effects. On the other hand, dogs are not designed with the special ability to eat whatever they want without consequences. Sugar and syrups are a no-no ingredient.
5. Propylene Glycol
Propylene glycol is a moistening agent in semi-moist dog foods but has been linked to kidney damage in dogs. Avoiding this ingredient ensures your dog is not exposed to potential health risks associated with its consumption.
Conclusion
When choosing dog food, always read the ingredient list and look for high-quality products that prioritize whole, natural, and nutritious ingredients while avoiding these potentially harmful additives. It’s essential to consult with a veterinarian to find the best food for your dog based on their specific needs and health considerations. Our next post will look at five quality kibble brands with customer ratings. But if you want to learn more about dog food ingredients, click the link. And if you have any questions or need more concentrated advice, register and start a topic featuring your concerns on our community page. We can’t wait to hear from you!
