Introduction
Dry dog food has become an increasingly popular choice for pet owners over the past several decades. The first dry dog food was created in the late 1950s and consisted of extruded pellets made from a mixture of grains, meat byproducts, and preservatives. This allowed dog food to be mass-produced, easily stored and transported, and have a longer shelf life compared to canned wet foods.
The popularity of dry dog food rose steadily starting in the 1970s and 80s as major pet food companies began marketing kibble using celebrity endorsements, attractive packaging and branding, and promises of complete nutrition and convenience. Today, dry dog food makes up about 90% of total dog food sales. It offers pet owners the convenience of easy storage, less mess, economical cost per serving, and the ability to easily free-feed dogs.
Many pet owners choose dry food for their canine companions due to its lower cost, ease of portion control and feeding, dental health benefits, and because it is often accepted more readily by picky eaters. With a wide variety of formulas, brands, and specialties available, dry food allows owners to find a nutritional match for their dog based on life stage, body type, activity level, and personal preference.
Pros of Dry Dog Food
Dry dog food offers several advantages that make it a convenient and budget-friendly choice for many pet owners:
Convenience and Ease of Use
Dry kibble can be left out in a bowl for your dog to snack on throughout the day. You don’t need to refrigerate it like canned wet food. The hard texture also makes it easy for dogs to chew and swallow. Dry food is lightweight and has a long shelf life, making it simple to store and transport during travel.
Typically Less Expensive Than Wet Food
Pound for pound, dry dog food costs less than canned or fresh wet foods. The inexpensive price point makes dry food an accessible option for pet owners on a budget.
Helps with Dental Health
The crunchy texture and hard surface of dry kibble helps scrape away plaque and tartar as your dog chews. This provides better dental cleaning than soft, wet foods. Eating dry food may help reduce plaque buildup and risk of periodontal disease in dogs.
Easy to Measure Portions
Dry kibble’s uniform shape makes it simple to accurately measure out servings based on your dog’s needs. You can use a measuring cup to portion the exact recommended amount for your dog each meal.
Cons of Dry Dog Food
While dry dog food certainly has its benefits, there are also some potential downsides to consider:
Potential for dehydration – Since dry food contains only around 10% moisture, versus 75% or more in canned/wet foods, it provides less water content. This means your dog will need to drink more water separately to avoid dehydration.
May have less appealing taste/smell – The kibble shape and lower moisture content of dry foods can make them less palatable or appetizing for some dogs, compared to canned or raw foods.
Potential for dental issues – Though dry food is promoted as helping clean teeth, the starch content can actually contribute to tartar buildup. The kibble shape does not provide enough abrasion to effectively clean teeth.
Less biologically appropriate – The extruded kibble shape and low moisture content of dry foods are not typical of what dogs would naturally eat in the wild. This may be less digestible or species-appropriate for a dog’s biology.
Nutritional Value
The nutritional value of dry dog food can vary greatly depending on the ingredients used and the manufacturing process. High-quality dry foods made with whole meats, vegetables, and healthy grains can provide complete and balanced nutrition for dogs. However, lower quality brands that use plant protein, meat by-products, and fillers may lack essential nutrients.
When comparing brands, look for dry foods with quality protein sources like chicken, lamb, or fish as the first ingredients. Whole carbohydrate sources like brown rice, barley, and oatmeal are better than corn, wheat, or soy. The food should also contain omega fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals. Avoid artificial preservatives, colors, and flavors.
With the right ingredients, dry food can provide just as much nutritional value as wet food. However, some dogs may need additional supplements if the kibble does not provide enough of certain nutrients. For example, senior dogs may benefit from joint supplements added to their food. Checking with your veterinarian can help determine if any dietary supplements are recommended.
Ingredients to Look For
When searching for a high-quality dry dog food, keep an eye out for these beneficial ingredients:
Whole Meats, Fish, and Eggs as First Ingredients
Look for whole, named sources of protein like chicken, beef, salmon, or eggs listed as the first few ingredients. Whole meats contain more nutrients than meat by-products or meals.
Whole Grains
Whole grains like brown rice, barley, and oatmeal are healthy sources of fiber and carbohydrates. They are more nutritious than refined grains.
Fruits and Vegetables
Fruits and veggies add key vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Some good options are sweet potatoes, blueberries, carrots, and spinach.
Ingredients to Avoid
When selecting a dry dog food, there are certain ingredients that are best to avoid. Here are some of the top ingredients to watch out for:
By-Products and Rendered Fats
By-products consist of parts of an animal left over after processing for human consumption, such as organs, bones, and lungs. While they can provide some nutritional value, by-products are inconsistent in quality and less bioavailable than muscle meat. Rendered fats, such as tallow, lard, and grease, are made from cooking down animal tissues and should also be avoided.
Artificial Preservatives
Preservatives like BHA, BHT, and ethoxyquin are added to dry dog foods to extend shelf life. However, they have been linked to health issues in dogs including allergies, organ damage, and cancer. It’s best to avoid artificial preservatives whenever possible.
Fillers
Fillers like corn, wheat, soy, and rice are cheap sources of carbohydrates but provide minimal nutritional value for dogs. They can also trigger allergic reactions in some dogs. Look for a dog food with a limited amount of plant-based fillers.
Brand Comparisons
When choosing a dry dog food brand, it’s important to compare ingredients, quality control, and pricing. Here’s an overview of some top brands on the market:
Purina ONE – Purina is a well-known dog food brand that produces quality kibble at an affordable price point. Their ONE line features real meat as the first ingredient and natural sources for nutrients. They follow strict quality control standards.
Blue Buffalo – This brand is known for using all-natural ingredients and containing no chicken or poultry by-product meals. Blue Buffalo has product lines for every life stage and breed size. It’s a bit more expensive than some competitor brands.
Taste of the Wild – With unique protein sources like bison and venison, this grain-free brand offers novel proteins for dogs with allergies. They use probiotics and natural ingredients. However, there have been some past quality control issues.
Wellness Core – A high protein, grain-free dry dog food made in the USA. Wellness uses premium ingredients like deboned turkey and chicken meal. No corn, wheat, soy or artificial colors/flavors. One of the pricier brands.
While ingredients and quality should take priority, your budget is also a consideration when choosing the best dry dog food for your pup!
Transitioning to Dry Food
When transitioning your dog to a new dry food diet, it’s important to do so gradually to allow their digestive system to adjust. Here are some tips for a successful transition:
Gradually mix with previous food
Don’t make an abrupt switch. Over the course of 5-7 days, slowly increase the amount of new dry food while decreasing the old food. A good schedule is:
- Days 1-2: 75% old food, 25% new food
- Days 3-4: 50% old food, 50% new food
- Days 5-7: 25% old food, 75% new food
Watch for digestive issues
Keep an eye out for symptoms like diarrhea, constipation, gas, vomiting, or loss of appetite. If you notice any, go back to the previous ratio for a few more days before trying to increase the new food again.
Keep water available
Since dry food contains less moisture than canned or raw food, make sure your dog has constant access to clean, fresh water to stay hydrated.
Serving Tips
When serving dry dog food, it’s important to use a measured scoop to ensure you are providing the proper portion size. The amount fed can be adjusted up or down based on your individual dog’s needs, age, activity level, and weight.
Adding a bit of warm water to the kibble can help enhance palatability and aroma. Let it sit for a few minutes to allow the kibble to absorb the moisture. This can make the dry food more enticing to picky eaters or dogs who are transitioning from wet food.
It’s also a good idea to establish set meal times rather than free-feeding dry food. This allows you to monitor how much your dog is eating each day.
Make sure fresh water is always available, especially when feeding dry dog food. Keep the water bowl full and clean.
Following the recommended feeding guidelines on the package is a good starting point. But you may need to adjust up or down depending on your dog’s unique needs and health.
Conclusion
In summary, there are several pros and cons to consider when deciding whether to feed your dog dry food.
The main pros include convenience, better dental health, longer shelf life, and lower cost compared to wet food. However, the main cons are that it contains less moisture, may lead to dehydration, has higher carbohydrate content, and may be less palatable for picky eaters. Dry food is also more prone to bacterial contamination if left out too long.
There are a few key things owners should consider when making the decision about dry food. Look at your dog’s oral health, activity level, age, any health conditions, and dietary sensitivities or allergies. Active dogs and puppies may do better with some wet food mixed in. Monitor your dog’s water intake and hydration status when feeding only dry. Focus on high-quality ingredients and nutrients when choosing a brand.
Overall, dry dog food can be a good choice for healthy dogs when chosen and served properly. It’s affordable, easy to handle and feed, and promotes dental health. Just be mindful of potential hydration and contamination issues. With high-quality ingredients and at the right portions, dry food is a nutritious option for many dogs.