The health and happiness of a dog are inextricably linked with the quality of its nutrition. This is the foundation on which an active life, strong immunity and longevity of a pet are built. The modern market offers many options, but it is dry food that often becomes the optimal choice for caring owners. It is not only convenient to use, but also able to provide the animal with all the necessary nutrients. You can find a quality diet in Kyiv in the pet store “Zoodim”, with the possibility of convenient delivery throughout Ukraine.
Advantages of a dry diet: more than just convenience
Choosing ready-made dry granules – is not only a time saving for the owner, but also a whole set of advantages for the animal itself:
Quality Stability: Premium feed manufacturers strictly control every stage of production – from raw material selection to compliance with technology and storage conditions. This ensures that each serving meets the stated composition and safety standards.
Balanced Composition: The recipes are developed by veterinarians and nutritionists taking into account the physiological needs of dogs at different stages of life. Each granule contains an optimal ratio of proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals.
Caring for Teeth: The solid structure of the granules helps to mechanically clean the teeth from plaque during gnawing, which is a good prevention of tartar formation and diseases of the oral cavity.
Long-term Storage: Hermetic packaging reliably protects the feed from spoilage and loss of nutritional properties, allowing it to be stored for a long time without a refrigerator.
Wide Selection: There is a huge variety of dry food adapted to specific needs: age, size, breed, activity level, health and even taste preferences of the dog.
We decipher the classes of fodder: quality in detail
In order to consciously choose the best option, it is important to understand how the classes of dry food differ. It is not only about the price, but above all about the quality of ingredients and the philosophy of production:
Holistic: The pinnacle of quality. These feeds are as close as possible to the natural diet of predators. Based on – high-quality meat (often several types), fresh vegetables, fruits, berries and herbs. No low quality offal, cereals (corn, wheat), artificial preservatives, colouring or flavouring. Protein and fat sources are clearly indicated. Such diets have the highest digestibility and biological value.
Super Premium (Super Premium): Also high quality feed with excellent composition. The main source of protein is – meat and quality meat offal (liver, heart). Cereals, if present, are usually rice or oats, which are better digested by dogs. They contain a full range of necessary vitamins and minerals, often enriched with useful additives (chondroprotectors, probiotics). Do not contain artificial flavor enhancers and dyes. This is the gold standard for many responsible owners and breeders.
Premium (Premium): A more affordable option that provides the basic needs of the dog. The share of meat ingredients is lower (about 20-30%), a significant part consists of high-quality by-products and cereals (corn, wheat). May contain artificial preservatives and antioxidants, but usually within acceptable limits. It is important to read the composition carefully, as the quality in this segment can vary significantly between manufacturers.
It is important to note that "economy" feed is not available in the range of animal health stores due to its low nutritional value and potential harm caused by the use of cheap fillers, meat production waste and a large amount of artificial additives.
How to choose the "same" feed: an individual approach
A huge assortment can be confusing, but a filter system and an understanding of key criteria will help you make the right choice:
Age and Size:
Puppies: They need increased calorie content, more protein, calcium and phosphorus for proper growth and development. The granules are usually smaller.
Adult dogs: The diet is balanced to maintain optimal condition and activity. The size of the pellets varies depending on the rock.
Elderly dogs (Senior): Reduced calorie content for obesity prevention, often added components to support joints (chondroitin, glucosamine) and immunity.
Breed size: Feed for small breeds has a higher energy value (due to faster metabolism) and smaller granules. Large breed feed takes into account the risk of joint problems and has larger granules to stimulate chewing.
Special Needs and Health Status:
Sensitive etching: Feeds with easily digestible ingredients, often monoprotein (with one source of animal protein) or grain-free.
Allergy-prone: Hypoallergenic diets where common allergens (chicken, wheat, beef) are excluded, often based on lamb, fish, duck or turkey.
Castrated/Sterilized: Reduced calorie content and control of mineral balance for the prevention of weight gain and urolithiasis.
Active dogs: Increased calorie and protein content to provide energy.
Low activity/Persistent to completeness: Light feed with reduced fat content and increased fiber content.
Pregnant and nursing bitches: Special formulas with high nutritional value.
Veterinary diets: They are prescribed exclusively by a veterinarian for specific diseases (renal insufficiency, liver diseases, diabetes, joint problems, etc.).
Composition: Pay attention to the first 5 ingredients – they form the basis of the feed. Preference should be given to diets where meat or dehydrated meat comes first, rather than cereals or offal of unclear origin. Look for feed with natural preservatives (vitamin E, rosemary extract).
Transition to new feed and feeding
It is necessary to transfer the dog to new dry food gradually, within 7-10 days, to avoid digestive disorders. Start by adding a small amount of new feed to the old feed, increasing the proportion of new food and decreasing the proportion of old food every day. Always follow the recommended feeding standards indicated on the package, but adjust them according to your pet's individual activity, weight and condition. Provide the dog with constant access to fresh drinking water.
Your reliable assistant in the world of dog nutrition
A properly selected diet – is an investment in the health and active life of your four-legged friend. If you want buy dry food for dogs high quality, pay attention to specialized stores, which offer a wide range of proven brands of holistic and super-premium classes. Get professional advice and order the necessary food with delivery in Kyiv and throughout Ukraine – is a simple step towards the well-being of your pet. Remember that a balanced diet is the key to a happy and long life for your dog.