Dog food after 1 year old

Once your pup reaches about a year you should start to switch from the puppy chow into the adult food.

There are three types of dog food, dry, semi-moist or canned.

Dry dog food

Dry foods are usually the more popular choice and they go through a lengthy process to make. Most companies start out with raw materials such as grain, meat and fat. Then they grind them down to help increase the availability of the nutrients and mix the ingredients. Next is a process that is called extrusion which uses an extruder. An extruder is a machine that looks like screw inside a barrel. The food cooks as it goes through the barrel and changes the screw’s turning speed. This is how the dog food is cooked and the end results are spongy dough. It is then send through what is known as a die where it is cut with a knife. The new kibbles now go into a dryer where the moisture is removed. The last step is called enrobing and it is the addition of either liquids or powders to the outer of the kibble. This is where the fat and flavor enhancements are added.

semi moist dog food

Semi-moist foods are made almost just like dry foods but when they are going through the extruder the temperature is lower and dryer and then it would be for dry dog food. Semi moist foods are obviously higher in moisture and have an increased risk of spoilage from mold and bacteria. To help prevent this manufactures formulated the semi-moist foods with mold and bacterial inhibitors and place them in special moisture proof bags.

Canned dog food

Canned foods have been around since the 1800s. Canned food (or soft dog food) is food sealed in a can and then heat sterilized. Raw ingredients are used as they are in Dry food and semi-moist food. These are then added into a mixer and are cooked. After it is cooked but still hot, it moves into the filler/seamer. This is when it is placed in the cans and vacuumed sealed and then sterilized.

Now that who know how each food is made, how do you decide which one is best for your dog if you are feeding them store bought food.

You might want to stay away from semi-moist dog food. Semi-moist dog food are quiet high is salt and sugar. Sugar can contribute to gingivitis which can lead to tooth loss. Salt of course can lead to dehydration in some dogs. If you really want semi moist food for your dog, you can do ahead and add some water to his kibble already. Be careful though you do not add to much. Kibble tends to swell when it is wet and it could cause bloating in your dog. Try to stick with dry or canned. To come to an even better conclusion, you should look at your dog to decide if you should go with the dry or canned. Is your dog a large breed dog? Large breed dogs tend to eat more than the smaller breeds and you might benefit more from dry food which is sold in bulk.

Canned foods are better for the smaller breads of dog, but be careful with this because sometimes with canned food you can see a faster build up of tarter and plague on your dog. As you will find out, in the end it is going to be your dog that makes the final decision for what type of food you feed it.