Types of dog food: dry, wet, raw, and homemade

Our pets' diets are very diverse. There are many types of food and foods we can give our dogs depending on their needs, the characteristics of the food, and our preferences. Of course, not all food is the same, nor does it have the same quality or serve the same purpose. That's why in this article we want to talk to you about the different types of dog food available . We focus on analyzing the characteristics of dehydrated dog food (or dry food), wet dog food, BARF dog food (or raw food), homemade dog food, and also dog snacks. Keep reading for more information!

Dog food: types of food to give your pet

As we mentioned in the introduction, dog food varies greatly. This depends on the ingredients , the manufacturing process , and the specific function it performs, primarily based on age, for example. In this section, we explain what types of food are available and what each one is used for.

Dehydrated dog food

Dehydrated dog food primarily includes dry food . This is the most common option and the one most recommended by veterinarians for your pet due to its complete and varied nutritional content. This food includes the nutrients your pet's diet should contain based on its weight, breed, and age. Of course, the offering is very varied, and not all products offer the same quality. We recommend opting for natural dog food manufacturers —as we do at __NT__1 __—with premium products of the highest quality. One of the advantages of dehydrated dog food is that it doesn't spoil as quickly as wet food, since the amount of moisture is much lower. This means it doesn't need additives or preservatives—in the case of quality food—and it remains very tasty for your dog. However, dehydrated dog food should be provided to your pet along with a bowl of clean, fresh water to facilitate its intake. Some dog foods also lack all types of grains and cereals—these are the so-called grain-free lines.

Wet dog food

Wet dog food is sold primarily in the form of pâtés or canned goods. It is also available as wet food. It is usually made with meat, such as lamb, turkey, chicken, or beef, mixed with vegetables such as peas and carrots, as well as the sauce that accompanies these ingredients. We can also find wet dog food with fish, such as salmon, and with grains such as rice. When talking about wet dog food, we also find sausages made with the various meats mentioned above and fish. One of the main advantages of this type of food is that it is very easy to digest , which is why it is recommended for dogs who have recently undergone surgery or with special needs—for example, older dogs or those with digestive problems.

BARF dog food

BARF dog food, or raw food, has become very popular in recent years, and it's no surprise given its benefits. This diet seeks to return to the original diet of dogs' wild ancestors , and therefore, it provides raw foods that are biologically appropriate for them. In fact, BARF is an abbreviation for Biologically Appropriate Raw Food (BARF). Some of the foods we can find in this diet are bones with meat and muscle (60%), lean meat (25%), and vegetables, grains, or offal (15%). This diet does not contain grains. It also has no additives or preservatives. When we talk about raw food for pets, we can also find natural dog snacks , such as pig snout and pig ear, bull nerve, chicken feet, etc.

Homemade dog food

Homemade dog food is food we can cook ourselves for our pets . However, you should keep in mind that not all foods eaten by humans are recommended for dogs—and not all dog breeds can eat the same foods—so it's important to consult with a canine nutrition expert. Some homemade foods that dogs can eat include cooked chicken, cheese, carrots, salmon, pumpkin, and eggs.

What are dog snacks?

We've talked about daily dog ​​food, but when it comes to food for our pets, we can also consider dog snacks . These foods are designed, above all, to reward our furry friends for good behavior, such as following a command. We can also use them to strengthen our bond with them or help them overcome fears. The truth is that dog snacks are very varied and we can find different types, such as natural snacks, wet snacks, dental snacks (to eliminate bad breath and prevent cavities), fresh meat snacks, puppy snacks, or snacks for dogs with allergies, among others.

Natural dog food, above all

We've seen that we can find a wide variety of types of dog food. As you can imagine, each of the categories we've analyzed in this article is subdivided into other different types of food. It's very important to take care of your pet's diet. Just like with people, an inappropriate diet can lead to a greater number of illnesses and serious problems for your dog, and can even shorten its lifespan. We recommend that you always opt for natural dog food, that is, food made with natural ingredients, like the one we offer in our online dog food store Arquivet, avoiding all kinds of chemicals.