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Step 1
The first thing you need to do is ask your dog's vet what kind of dog food he recommends and if there is anything in particular you should avoid. Recent studies show that beet pulp can progress the degeneration of a dog's eyes. If your vet will be specific enough, get a suggestion for the best protein to fat ratio.
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Step 2
You'll want to start at your local pet store like Petsmart or Petco. Grocery store brands may be cheaper but they also use ingredients with little to no nutritional value. Look at the different brands and start with a food that suits your dog's age requirements. Then flip the bag over and look at the nutritional facts. What is the percentage of crude fat? Check out a few bags to get an idea of the different ranges. I've personally seen anywhere from 6% to 14%. If your pet is at a healthy weight then start somewhere in the middle of that range to avoid weight gain or loss. If your dog is very active, then lean a little higher. For a dog that doesn't get much exercise, go with a lower crude fat percentage.
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Step 3
Once you decide on the appropriate fat content, you want to look at the amount of protein. Dogs' intestines are meant to digest mainly proteins. That's why they love meat. Carbs are hard on their digestive systems and can cause quite an upset tummy. The higher the protein the better. But be careful. Look at the fat content first because often higher amounts of protein will mean higher percentages of crude fat. High protein and low fat is the best to look for. The best one I have found is a holistic brand of dog food called The Blue Buffalo Company. It contains 20% protein and 6% crude fat. My somewhat sedentary chihuahua is trying to lose a couple of pounds so this should be just about right.
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Step 4
The next step is completely your preference. I strongly encourage that you consider a food that has no fillers. Fillers are ingredients used in some dog foods that have no nutritional value at all. They are simply put in for bulk to save the manufacturer money. They make your dog full without actually being good for him. One example of a filler is fish digest. Not too appetizing, eh? Other fillers include corn (corn meal, corn gluten meal) and meat by-products (meat that is considered not fit for human consumption). Meat by-products include beaks, feet, spleens, lungs, kidneys, brains and stomachs (usually not cleaned out first). Why in the world would anyone think that's okay to feed to their pet? Many people simply don't know better.
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Step 5
There are many disgusting things included in some dog food. Please take the time to choose a proper food. One helpful tip: if the main protein source is listed as a non-specific "meat" then stay away from it. This usually includes roadkill (I'm serious!), rotting meat from the grocery store shelf, styrofoam and all, animals that died from diseases like cancer and worm infestations. Even if it's a decent source of meat used (but don't count on it), it may be an animal that at some point was treated with antibiotics or growth hormones. That's just not okay. I hope this article has been helpful. I would encourage you to do more research on dog food brands and get suggestions from trusted sources. Good luck!
