There are fewer things that are considered more British than owning a dog. In the UK one in four households owns a dog and owning a dog is an extremely strong feature of our culture.

There is a huge range of dog food available to choose from, mainly because people in the UK love their dogs and are willing to give them the best possible diet.

The Ingredients

You should carefully consider the ingredients contained in the dog food you are thinking of buying. A good dog food will usually contain the following:

Healthy Oils

These are essential for great skin and a lovely shiny coat. Make sure that your dog food contains healthy oil such as fish oil

Egg

Many dog foods contain egg because eggs are an excellent source of protein and good cholesterol

Calcium

Your dog needs strong bones to be healthy. Calcium will keep your dog very strong. If you have a growing puppy, calcium is particularly important.

Protein

Your dog needs a diet high in protein for strong muscles, joints and bones.

So How Do I Choose the Best Dog Food in the UK?

Your dog relies completely on you and it is a big responsibility to own a dog. There are a number of steps that you should follow in order to get the best food for your dog.

1. Firstly, you will need to identify the age and stage that your dog is currently at. What kind of lifestyle is your dog leading? Puppies, pregnant mothers and working dogs have higher energy requirements because of their ‘age’ or ‘stage’.
2. Consider the size of your dog and choose a food accordingly. A larger sized dog needs more nutrients, whereas a smaller dog needs food formulated to avoid weight gain.
3. If you dog has any specific health issues or medical conditions, you should consult with your vet before deciding which food to feed your pet.
4. Will you feed your dog canned food or dry food? Most dogs live very well on dry food alone, however, many dogs love the wet, meaty texture of canned food. A good compromise can be to feed your dog a mix of dried and canned food.
5. Comparing Labels is essential. Choose a product that is high in meat, because this will ensure that your dog stays in tip top shape.
6. Choose a dog food that has been scientifically formulated to ensure that your pet receives the perfect blend of carbohydrates, fats, proteins and vitamins.
7. Comparing Prices is an important step. Owning a dog can be very expensive and there are many affordably priced options available on the market so it pays to shop around for the best deal.

How Will I Know That My Dog Is Thriving?

If your dog food is good quality your dog will have a shiny glossy coat, bright eyes, pink gums, white teeth and be full of energy and happiness. It is easy to tell really if a dog food is working for your pet