Dog Food 101

It’s easy to assume that your four-legged family member will benefit from the same food you eat. If it’s good for you, it’s good for your dog, right? Well, there’s actually a lot more to dog food than you might think.

Dog food isn’t just human food in a different form. Dogs benefit from different foods than humans do, and need to eat a well-balanced diet filled with vitamins and minerals. Let’s take a look at how you can feed your dog a healthy, balanced diet.

Can You Feed Your Dog Table Scraps?

First, let’s talk about table scraps. We’ve all probably slipped our dog a bit of our food from the dinner table from time to time – how could you resist that longing stare? While it’s understandably tempting, when it comes to your dog’s health it’s best to limit giving away any table scraps.

In one study, researchers found that 59% of the participating dogs received table scraps, which accounted for a whopping 21% of their daily caloric intake. Unfortunately, these scraps didn’t meet the National Research Council’s micronutrient recommendations, meaning they weren’t really doing much for the dogs' health. (Potential Commentary - Micronutrients) Another study has also shown that feeding your dog human food is linked to obesity.

On top of those risks, it should also be noted that a lot of human food can be toxic to dogs. According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, grapes, macadamia nuts, onions, garlic, and chocolate are just a few of the common foods that are toxic to dogs.

Potential Commentary - other risks

The real way to a well-balanced diet is through nutritious, high-quality dog food that is formulated with your dog’s health in mind. Great dog food is made with the special nutrients that dogs need to maintain their health. By sticking to expertly crafted dog food and avoiding human food, you’ll have better control over your dog’s overall wellness.

Tips for Healthy Feeding

So, what exactly should you be looking for when searching for the best food for your dog? There are a few things to look for – and things to avoid.

One of the best types of food for dogs is human-grade dog food. To clarify, human-grade dog food shouldn’t be confused with human food. According to the Association of American Feed Control Officials, human-grade dog food is simply made with higher quality ingredients that are considered fit for human consumption. A recent study has shown that human-grade dog food is more easily digestible, meaning our dogs will better absorb beneficial nutrients.

At Top Shelf Dog, the development of our all-natural, human-grade dog food was not a task we took lightly. We spent years researching and working with a leading veterinary nutritionist, and crafted entrées fortified with the vitamins and nutrients that are necessary for your dog’s optimal well-being.

Potential Commentary - specifics about vitamins and minerals/more about what makes Top Shelf great

It’s also important to look for food that is free of preservatives. Many dog food brands will add artificial preservatives and fillers that extend the shelf life and bulk up the food. Unfortunately, these fillers and preservatives don’t actually serve the health of your dog.

When it comes down to it, you want to feed your dog high-quality food that is nutritious – just like the food you feed yourself, only specially created for dogs! Food from a top-tier brand that was created with your dog’s needs in mind is exactly what you need for a healthy, happy dog.