Age
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.
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Young(juniors) - from 2 - 3 months to 10 - 12 months.
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Adults - from a year to 6 - 8 years, depending on the breed and characteristics of the body.
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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.
Food class
The class determines the overall quality and price category of the feed.
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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.
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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.General purpose
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.Ingredients
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.
Calories
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.
