Comparison Alice Balance Lamb and Rice 17 kg vs 1st Choice Puppy Skin and Coat All Breeds

The age for which the food is intended.

Dogs of different ages have different nutritional needs. So, puppies need easily digestible food with a lot of "building material" for growth. It is for puppies that the largest number of nutritional gradations by age has been introduced (from 1 month, 8 months, 12 months, etc.). Young animals require a lot of energy, and in old age it is not uncommon for dental problems to develop. All this is taken into account when creating feed.

Age categories are most often distinguished as follows:

- Puppies - from 2 weeks to 2 - 3 months.
- Young(juniors) - from 2 - 3 months to 10 - 12 months.
- Adults - from a year to 6 - 8 years, depending on the breed and characteristics of the body.
- Elderly - from 6 - 8 years.

Note that this classification is rather arbitrary, and in some brands of food, the age limits may be different - for example, food for puppies may have the designation "up to 5 - 6 months." These details should be specified separately, especially if the dog is in a “transitional” age, between categories.

In this case, not a specific breed is meant, but the size and weight of the dog. The division into "weight categories" is primarily due to the difference in metabolism between animals of different sizes. So, small dogs have a faster metabolism than large ones, they have a higher need for calories per kilogram of weight; and a large breed puppy needs more "building materials" for bones and muscles. In addition, dry food (see "Type") for different breeds can also differ in the size of the granules: the larger the dog, the larger the granules can be.

The approximate division of rocks by size looks like this:

— Small — weight up to 12 kg, height up to 40 cm ( dachshund, Yorkshire terrier, cocker spaniels, miniature schnauzer).
— Medium — weight 10 – 20 kg, height 40 – 56 cm ( Dalmatian, Staffordshire Terrier, Chow Chow).
— Large — weight 20 – 30 kg, height 56 – 65 cm (collie, boxer, doberman, german shepherd).
— Giant — weight from 50 kg, height from 60 cm (St. Bernard, Great Dane, Newfoundland).

The class determines the overall quality and price category of the feed.

- Economy. The general characteristic is “only as a last resort.” The simplest and most inexpensive feeds, made from low-quality ingredients - offal, food waste, fillers such as soy or corn. In addition, flavorings and flavor enhancers can be added to the composition to make the product more attractive to the dog. Such brands are the most affordable, but this is perhaps their only advantage. But at best, there will be no benefit for your pet from economy food. At worst (especially with long-term feeding), such a diet can lead to health problems: in addition to low quality in general, food of this class also does not contain meat and vitamins necessary for a dog. In addition, the mentioned fillers can cause addiction and problems with switching to another, higher quality food. In light of this, experts recommend avoiding economy-class feeds whenever possible and using them only when there are no other options - and the less time, the better.

- Premium. The general description is “tolerable.” The next class in terms of overall quality (and cost) after “economy”. Premium food, in addition to by-products, contains a certain amount of meat (up to 30%), and more suitable fillers are used, most often rice. But manufacturers often do not refuse flavorings and flavor enhancers. In general, such food will not bring any pa...rticular benefit to your pet, but most likely it will also cause harm. The only thing is that it is advisable to feed “premium” to adult dogs - it is better to give puppies products of a higher class. Due to its good price-quality ratio, this option is very popular among amateur dog breeders.

- Super premium. General characteristics - “excellent”. The food of this class is well balanced, containing at least 25% meat, by-products of higher quality than in “premium” and even more so “economy”, and often also vitamin supplements. Such products can be safely used as the main food, both for adult dogs and puppies; and if health problems arise, it is unlikely that the diet will be the cause. True, you will have to pay accordingly for such quality.

- Holistic. General description: “ideal”. This is the most advanced and high-quality class of food, which even professional dog breeders and owners of purebred champion dogs do not shy away from. “Holistics” are most often made on the basis of pure meat, without by-products, and are also supplemented with rich vitamin complexes and, as a result, contain all the substances necessary for a dog’s complete nutrition. However, such food is very expensive.

The series determines the general specialization of the feed. Within the same specialization, feeds with different purposes can be produced (see the corresponding paragraph), but it is worth choosing first by series, and only then by purpose.

- Everyday. General purpose feeds that do not have a specific specialization and are intended for constant use in the diet of healthy dogs with an average level of activity.

- For active dogs. Food designed for healthy dogs with a lot of energy. Such food is useful, in particular, for hunting and service animals, which are constantly moving during the day. In addition, in the cold season, such food is recommended for all dogs living outside the home - in booths, aviaries, etc.

- Dietary. Special food for dogs suffering from digestive problems and animals with a tendency to gain excess weight. Anti-obesity diet food is used for prevention, so that the pet does not get extra calories and at the same time does not suffer from hunger, while specialized lightweight food with reduced nutritional value will serve as an appropriate diet for sedentary dogs.

- Sterilized. Food specially designed for sterilized dogs - more precisely, neutered males (it is for them that special power supply is most relevant). After sterilization,...the hormonal balance in the dog's body changes and, as a result, the metabolism - this, among other things, increases the tendency to be overweight and the likelihood of urolithiasis. These points are taken into account when developing feeds from these series.

- Pregnant. Pregnant dog foods are high in vitamins, minerals and easily digestible nutrients. They are designed to ensure both the normal development of puppies in the womb and the health of the mother's body.

- Nursing. Specialized power supply for bitches nursing puppies. As a rule, such feeds have a very high nutritional value, as well as an increased concentration of vitamins and trace elements - so that all this is enough for both milk production and the maintenance of the mother's body. In addition, their composition is selected in such a way that substances dangerous for newborn puppies do not get into the milk.

- Medical. Feed used for certain diseases as a main or auxiliary drug. It is possible to give such food only as directed by a veterinarian and only as part of the prescribed course; This type of feed is not intended for continuous feeding of healthy animals.

The purpose determines the specific features of the feed. This is a more highly specialized parameter than a series (see the relevant paragraph): within the same series, feeds for different purposes can be produced. It is also worth saying that one food can have several purposes at once: for example, a composition for picky people can be hypoallergenic at the same time.

- Easily digestible. Feed formulated in such a way that the nutrients from them are absorbed by the body as quickly and efficiently as possible. This food is intended mainly for active and/or young growing dogs, but can be used for other categories of pets: in particular, easily digestible food is recommended for certain digestive disorders.

— For skin and wool. Foods that improve the condition of the skin and coat. They contain an increased amount of "building materials" from which skin cells and hairs are formed. Note that such power supply can be useful for any breed of dog, not only long-haired.

- Taking care of your teeth. Foods that improve teeth and prevent problems with them. Such power supply can have different specifics of use: for example, some foods play the role of a “toothbrush”, cleaning the teeth and oral cavity, others supply the body with nutrients im...portant for dental health (primarily calcium). Specific specialization may also vary: hard formulations are suitable only for healthy teeth, softer ones may be intended for weakened and problematic ones.

- From obesity. Feed intended for the prevention and treatment of obesity. As a rule, they have a reduced calorie content; in addition, the composition may contain ingredients that speed up the metabolism and reduce the likelihood that the calories eaten are “deposited” in fat.

- Hypoallergenic. Compositions selected in such a way as to minimize the likelihood of an allergy in a pet. This category also includes specialized grain-free feeds that do not contain cereals and are distinguished by a high content of meat.

- For the immune system. Feed designed to strengthen the immune system. They are characterized by a high content of vitamins and microelements, and may also contain specific immunomodulatory ingredients (for example, extracts of medicinal plants). Note that with a tendency to allergies, such feeds should be used with extreme caution.

- For dogs with diabetes. Food for dogs with diabetes. They are characterized by a low sugar content or its complete absence in the composition.

- For the fastidious. Food for naughty dogs who have certain preferences and often refuse food because it is "tasteless". Developed with special emphasis on the taste component. It should be noted that it is precisely such food that can be useful when transferring an animal from cheap formulations saturated with flavor enhancers to better power supply.

- For the kidneys. Foods that improve kidney function. Designed mainly for the prevention and treatment of urolithiasis.

- For heart. Feed to strengthen and improve the functioning of the cardiovascular system. They provide strengthening of the heart muscle and the walls of blood vessels, and can also reduce high blood pressure.

- For the liver. Foods that improve the functioning of the liver. Among other things, this category includes therapeutic formulations for use in chronic liver failure: they reduce the load on the liver, help restore its functions and stimulate the production of bile.

- For joints. Feed used for joint problems. In particular, they contribute to the restoration of cartilage tissue and its maintenance in a normal state.

- For the bones. Foods that strengthen bones. Contain an increased amount of substances used to build bone tissue - in particular, calcium. Especially useful at a young age, while the musculoskeletal system is just being formed, as well as for older animals in which bones weaken with age.

In addition to those described above, other options for appointments may be declared by manufacturers.

The main ingredients that make up the feed and determine its nutritional and taste value. In addition to them, various auxiliary components may be included in the composition, however, manufacturers do not always indicate the full composition in the main data.

The energy value of the food is the amount of energy (in kilocalories) that the dog's body will receive when eating 100 g of food. Knowing the calorie content, as well as the daily energy requirement of the pet, you can estimate the amount of food he needs per day. A dog of medium size and build needs about 370 – 480 kcal per day, but this figure is very approximate — a lot depends on the breed, constitution, mobility and other factors. A specific energy requirement can be determined using special sources — tables, calculators, etc. It is highly advisable not to deviate from these recommendations: a lack of calories leads to lethargy and weight loss, an excess leads to excess weight.