01. Dogs’ unique diet and nutritional needs

Whole Dog Journal’s approved lists are based on an evaluation and analysis of the ingredients on dry dog ​​food labels to help owners identify beneficial and ineffective ingredients and develop the habit of checking labels before purchasing.

Looking at the ingredient list of dry dog ​​food can tell you the manufacturer’s intentions and philosophy. If a dog food manufacturer admits to using artificial preservatives, grain "chips," or animal by-products, it's probably not the ideal high-end product.

If the ingredient list starts with a list of high-quality proteins and adds healthy foods, then this is a high-quality staple food.

Of the 77.8 million dogs in the United States, no one staple food can meet the needs of all dogs because they all have unique metabolic systems.

Dogs prone to urinary tract infections are best served foods with a lower pH (and therefore less acidity).

If your dog is thin and active, a staple food containing high fat and protein is more suitable.

​Caloric considerations. If you choose a high-energy food for your dog and your dog is not that keen on exercise, drastically cutting back on his food intake is necessary to prevent him from gaining weight. Some dogs may not adapt to this diet and may protest by acting like spoilers, turning over houses, and digging through garbage.

If your dog exhibits any of the above behaviors, you must look for high-fiber, low-calorie foods that may not necessarily contain the highest quality protein or fat sources on the market to increase satiety while controlling weight.

If the dog shows a need for high-energy food, you need to judge the dog’s caloric needs through the following items.

​Activity level. The more a dog exercises, the more energy it needs to expend.

​Growth period. Growing puppies have higher energy needs than adult dogs. Foods that are high in protein but moderate in fat are ideal. Obese puppies are more likely to develop degenerative joint disease than normal-sized or slim puppies, especially in large and giant breeds.

​Age. A dog ages differently depending on the breed. Older dogs generally require lower calories to maintain weight and good condition.

Environmental conditions. Dogs in cold areas require 10%, or even 90% more energy than dogs in temperate climates. The thickness and quality of the dog's clothing, the amount of body fat in the dog's body, and the ability of the kennel to keep out the cold directly affect the dog's ability toquantity demand.

Disease. Sick dogs have higher energy needs. Because it requires energy to stimulate the immune system and repair tissue. If the dog is less active as a result, this also reduces its energy needs.

Pregnant. The energy needs of a pregnant female dog do not increase significantly until the last third of pregnancy, when they triple.

​Lactation period. The energy needs of a lactating female dog may be eight times higher than those of a dog of the same breed and age.

Neuter. It is generally believed that neutering will reduce energy requirements. In fact, there is no research showing that lowering hormone levels will reduce calorie needs. Weight gain in neutered dogs is commonly due to increased appetite or decreased exercise.

​Other individual factors. Mood, skin, body fat, and coat quality may all affect a dog's energy needs.

02. The role of dog food in treating and preventing diseases

If your dog suffers from any disease or genetic disorder, talk to your veterinarian about nutritional therapy to help treat or prevent the disease.

Don’t settle for less than the recommendations of commercial “prescription” diets, most of which are formulated with low-quality ingredients. Instead, ask about the effective ingredients in the formula to treat or prevent disease. Then, find an alternative product that has the same benefits but is of better quality.

For example, providing an appropriate diet for a dog with kidney failure. Provide these patient dogs with appropriate amounts of high-quality protein and a diet low in phosphorus. Home-made dog food can achieve these goals better than commercial dog food on the market.

Owners should also do some research on their own to determine what changes in diet may help your dog achieve good health. Homemade Diets for Cats and Dogs by Donald R. Strombeck: Healthy Alternatives Are a Great Starting Point. Dr. Strombeck details changes in a dog's diet to treat and prevent gastrointestinal, skin, bone and joint, renal, urinary, endocrine, cardiac, pancreatic and liver disease.

Diseases that can be improved by dietary adjustments include:

​Allergies and Intolerances. There are many breeds that are particularly susceptible to food allergies, including Cocker Spaniels, Dalmatians, English Springer Spaniels, Labrador Retrievers, Miniature Schnauzers, and more. Again, it is important to document that youThe food you feed your dog, the ingredients it contains, and your dog’s reaction after eating it.

Inherited metabolic abnormalities. Some breeds are susceptible to disease caused by diet. For example, West Highland White Terriers and Cocker Spaniels are genetically predisposed to accumulation of copper in the liver. These dogs should eat a diet low in copper. Huskies and Siberian Huskies are genetically affected and have zinc metabolism disorders, so they need a high-zinc diet or additional zinc supplements.

Ask your veterinarian (and a reliable breeder) about your dog's breed and its corresponding nutritional needs. If necessary, contact your dog food manufacturer for an expanded version of the food's nutrient level list. Pet food manufacturers are not required to print the amount of each nutrient on the label, but should provide this information to you upon request.

Therefore, please consider your dog's age, condition and health history. Also consider the level of product availability, most brands on the WDJ approved list are available in independent stores and some products are only sold in specific areas.

Price also plays a role. The right dog food doesn't necessarily come cheap, but the principle that you get what you pay for also applies here.

03. How to choose the best dry dog ​​food

Nutrition experts don't agree on everything, but they do agree that a balanced, varied, species-appropriate diet will maintain animal health.

Nutrition experts generally agree that highly processed foods are less healthy than lightly processed foods. Some nutritional value is always lost through oxidation, heat, pressure and chemical reactions. Foods made from highly processed (and sometimes even aged) ingredients lose a lot of their nutritional value compared to foods made from fresh ingredients.

The healthiest dog foods contain high-quality protein and whole, unprocessed grains and vegetables. Always make sure the dry dog ​​food you buy contains high-quality protein, such as whole, fresh meat or single-source meat meal ("chicken meal" or "beef meal.") Avoid vaguely worded ingredient lists such as "poultry meal" Meat powder" or "meat powder". Any label that simply says "meat" should be considered a low-quality protein source.

Finally, remember that it’s a good idea to change your dog’s food regularly. Choose a few brands that contain the right ingredients and provide your dog with some variety over time. This will help correct nutritional imbalances caused by using the same dog food day after day.

　04. WDJ 2020 recommendation list

WDJ full name whole dOG Journey is a paid dog magazine in the United States. It has been evaluating various dog products for many years, and its annual dry food evaluation is still an important reference.

Picture from: Dog Food Expert

Great brands come from excellent quality

It can be seen that the ingredients of dry dog ​​food are getting more and more attention, which means that Chinese pet consumers will have more personalized choices, and it also means that market competition will gradually become fiercer.

Domestic pet food brands should be prepared to face challenges, transform from extensive growth to more scientific and refined operations, and build a longer-term brand centered on "consumers" battle.