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

Our pets' diets are very diverse. There are many types of foods 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 that existWe focus on analyzing the characteristics of dehydrated dog food (or dry food), wet dog food, BARF dog food (or raw food), and homemade dog food, as well as dog snacks. Read on 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 of which it is composed, manufacturing process and of the function specific, which mainly depends on, for example, age. In this section, we explain what they are and what each one is for.

Dehydrated dog food

Dehydrated dog food mainly includes dry feed. This is the most common option and the one most recommended by veterinarians for your pet due to its complete and varied nutritional contribution. This diet includes the following: nutrients that your pet's diet should contain depending on your weight, breed, and age. Of course, the range is very varied, and not all products offer the same quality. We recommend that you opt for manufacturers of natural dog food —as we do in Arquivet— 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 that it doesn't need additives or preservatives—in the case of quality dog ​​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 make it easier to ingest. Some dog foods also lack all types of grains and cereals—these are the lines known as grain free—.

Wet dog food

Wet dog food is sold mainly in the form of pâtés or canned food. 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 with which these ingredients are accompanied. Wet dog food can also be found 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 that have just undergone surgery or with special needs—for example, for 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 wonder given its benefits. This diet seeks to return to the original diet of dogs' wild ancestors, therefore, they are provided with biologically appropriate raw foods. In fact, BARF is an abbreviation for Biologically Appropriate Raw Food which translates as Raw Biologically Appropriate Foods (RBAF). Some of the foods we can find in this diet are: bones with meat and muscle (60%), the lean meat (25%) and the vegetables, cereals or viscera (15%). This diet is grain-free. It also contains no additives or preservatives. When we talk about raw pet food, we can also find natural dog snacks, such as pig snout and pig ear, bull nerve, chicken feet...

Homemade dog food

Homemade dog food is the one that we can cook ourselves for our petsHowever, 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 have talked about daily feeding for dogs, now, when talking about food for our pets we can also find the dog snacksThese foods are designed, above all, to reward our little furry friends for good behavior, such as following an order. We can also use them to strengthen our bond with them or to help them overcome their 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 diseases and serious problems. for your dog, even shortening its lifespan. We recommend that you always opt for natural dog food whenever possible, that is, food made with natural ingredients, like the one we offer in our online dog food store Arquivet, avoiding all types of chemicals.